Tartan at the Highland Games

**Deil the Yin** · 9th August 11, 07:19 AM

Well, you might consider the actual history of the two clans? You didn't say what your "true" clan is, so it might be prudent to take into account their history, if any, with the Sutherland Clan. Personally, given that you are going to the games to affiliate with YOUR clan and that a clan's tartan is the utter outward expression of affiliation and not to mention the still sometimes touchy rivalry of Highland clans, I would wear my affiliated clan's tartan- that is most appropriate. Even without any "history" to speak of between the two clans in question, folks are apt to be "put off" if they become aware of your anomaly. You might want to be prepared to do a lot of explaining, which I'm guessing could be an uphill battle.

Furtherto, I wouldn't honestly think that there would be a great difference in how hot your kilts will be if they are both wool (it can't be THAT hot in Pennsylvania, can it?). You could compensate by modifying your footwear and what you wear above the kilt to help stay cool, to wit: don't wear a belt, wear short sleeve shirt or t-shirt, don't wear hose (ie sandals or flip-flps) or scrunch down your hose or wear hose with considerable less wool content. And drink LOTS of water. These are all things I consider given warm weather, and here in South Georgia (CSA), it's a BIG consideration...

Happy gaming!

Cheers,
Wesley

**seanachie** · 9th August 11, 07:29 AM

Last year with a vacation upcoming I set aside money for a casual kilt in PV for the trip and placed the order in plenty of time. Unfortunately, the tartan I wanted was unavailable from the mill after the order was placed. Although I have no affiliation, claim, right or perogative to wear it I chose (as a substitute) a clan tartan that was available and could meet my departure date. I do really like the tartan and wear it with the respect it is owed. Someone not as eminently diplomatic as Jock really castigated me for doing that and I felt bad about it. So I wrote the clan and asked for permission, they did not have an issue. (In fact I got 2 rather nice emails answered very quickly) So if it puts your mind at ease, that may be a route to follow.

**ShaunMaxwell** · 9th August 11, 07:41 AM

If it were me, I'd wear my clan tartan.

Most of the Highland games I attend here in Texas are in the spring and summer, and are quite warm (San Antonio, Houston, Arlington). That said, I've not found wearing an 8-yard, 16 oz. kilt to be much warmer than a 5-yard, 16 oz. kilt, and I'm guessing that it may be a bit warmer in Texas in June than it will be in Pennsylvania in September.

You should be fine.

**biblemonkey** · 9th August 11, 08:00 AM

Originally Posted by seanachie

So I wrote the clan and asked for permission, they did not have an issue. (In fact I got 2 rather nice emails answered very quickly) So if it puts your mind at ease, that may be a route to follow.

Good suggestion! I went ahead and emailed the president of the North American Clan Sutherland Association and I am awaiting a reply.

Thanks!
Hugh

**MacMillans son** · 9th August 11, 08:01 AM

Originally Posted by biblemonkey

I would NEVER wear another clan at a clan function. It's just that sometimes clan organizations are being represented at the Highland games and I wondered would it be in bad taste to wear another clan in that type of environment or if the ol "wear what you please" rule would allow it?

Ah, that's where we may differ a bit I think. I consider the games as a clan function attended by multiple clans, so I attend those, figuratively, as a representative of my clan. If you perceive them as something different, as some others here do, then I guess the "wear what you please" mindset applies. So perhaps your perception of the games is what needs to be clarified, and then you can act according to your beliefs. As is evidenced by the variety of posts here, not all of us perceive the games in the same way.

Regardless of what you decide, I hope you have a great time!

**bdkilted** · 9th August 11, 08:10 AM

As a clan convener, and one who wears his clan tartan kilt in the TEXAS heat....
Where your clan tartan. Your in PA, you don't know what hot is. LOL
I love seeing my clansmen in their tartans and it helps me to recruit new members when they see others in the clan tartan. Show your pride.

**Jock Scot** · 9th August 11, 08:14 AM

Originally Posted by bdkilted

As a clan convener, and one who wears his clan tartan kilt in the TEXAS heat....
Where your clan tartan. Your in PA, you don't know what hot is. LOL
I love seeing my clansmen in their tartans and it helps me to recruit new members when they see others in the clan tartan. Show your pride.

Alright then, educate me. So how hot is it in Texas?

**Deil the Yin** · 9th August 11, 08:29 AM

I wouldn't think it so much a question of having a prerogative to wear the Sutherland tartan, but rather his OWN clan being "put off" by it at such an event where he should be "representing."

Originally Posted by seanachie

...Although I have no affiliation, claim, right or perogative to wear it I chose (as a substitute) a clan tartan that was available and could meet my departure date. I do really like the tartan and wear it with the respect it is owed. Someone not as eminently diplomatic as Jock really castigated me for doing that and I felt bad about it. So I wrote the clan and asked for permission, they did not have an issue. (In fact I got 2 rather nice emails answered very quickly) So if it puts your mind at ease, that may be a route to follow.

**bdkilted** · 9th August 11, 08:33 AM

It has been over 100 degrees every day for the past 45 days. The last several weeks are averaging 108. We are used to it being warm, but this is extreme even for us. On the up side though, crime has gone down. Even the devil himself is staying out of Texas, because he said it is hotter than Hell.