The wearing of Tartan

[davidlpope]

Scott,

What's your surname? Perhaps we can help. Sometimes alternate spellings are hard to unravel.

Generally, people choose to wear a clan tartan associated with their surname, if such connection exists. If one does not exist, then you might consider your mother's surname or go further back on your family tree. If that still doesn't help, then you might consider wearing a district tartan, a "universal" tartan (Caledonia and Hunting Stewart are two examples), or a tartan associated with your military branch or regiment, if that is applicable. The traditional Highland practice, though, seems to be "choose one tartan and stick with it", based on what I have gleaned.

If I remember correctly, the Glasgow tartan is an old, authentic sett from Wilson's of Bannockburn, an early weaving firm in the 18th/19th century. I believe it is commercially available from Lochcarron in their 16 oz. range and is quite nice, so you might consider that one strongly. It's not unusual for district tartans to be adopted by the family that bears that surname. For example, Duncan Paisley of Westerlea, chief of the name, adopted the Paisley district tartan for himself and his followers as their "clan" tartan.

One friendly suggestion, though. Arms are unique to the individuals, towns, cities, organizations, or corporations to whom they are granted and are considered that entity's lawful property. My guess is that your avatar depicts the arms of someone with the surname Glasgow who was previously granted arms by either the Lord Lyon or the College of Arms. Despite that fact that "bucket shops" will sell such as depicting the arms of all people bearing a certain surname, this is incorrect, misleading, and results in the usurpation of another's property.

Cordially,

David