Which tartan to associate with

**Susieq62** · 28th July 12, 07:21 PM

Hi. I'm a newbie and fascinated by how you come to choose your kilt. So I'm Scottish on my mother's side - her grandmother was born in Scotland - her father was a Grant; her mother was a Forbes. In choosing a tartan, do you tend to go with the maternal or paternal line, or does it come down to personal choice (i.e. who you most identify with)? Also, my great great grandfather John Grant was a soldier/bagpipe player with the 79th regiment (the Cameron Highlanders) and I understand they had their own kilt. So in that case, do you go with the Clan Grant tartan or the Cameron Highlander tartan? Does one take precedence of the other, or is it, once again, personal choice? Looking forward to your thoughts.

**MacMillan of Rathdown** · 28th July 12, 08:58 PM

Generally one goes with their father's clan tartan. Failing that, one goes with the Mother's clan tartan, etc. It looks to me as if your closet connection is Grant, and traditionally speaking, that would be your tartan.

**Susieq62** · 28th July 12, 11:02 PM

Thanks MacMillan of Rathdown - that's helpful.

**MacGumerait** · 29th July 12, 12:12 AM

Susieg62 ,

MacMillan of Rathdown is correct , your closest association is Grant and that would be your primary tartan .

Although , you also have a tie to the Forbes and it would also be understandable to wear that tartan as well ,if you choose . In addition , if you choose , you can also don the tartan of the old 79th Camerons in honor of your past family's service .

All three would be considered as acceptable .

Lastly , as somewhat of a newbie here on this forum myself ( just joined here in Feb , been kilted for over 40 yrs ) , I say you are good to go with any of the three .

Just my two cents . By the way , I forgot to mention , Welcome !!!!

**Susieq62** · 29th July 12, 12:29 AM

Thank you MacGumerait! It's a whole new world to me, this tartan business! Then you get faced with things like ancient tartans, modern tartans, muted tartans - crikey!

**Jock Scot** · 29th July 12, 01:03 AM

Originally Posted by Susieq62

Thank you MacGumerait! It's a whole new world to me, this tartan business! Then you get faced with things like ancient tartans, modern tartans, muted tartans - crikey!

I would not get too wound up about it, if I were you, just regard these ancient, modern, muted, weathered tartans as just variations on a theme and once you have that clear in your mind the "fog" will clear. Until that is, you get to hose colour, kilt height, tartan weight, pleating choice, pin position, shirts, ties , brogues, sporrans, and OK, certain varieties of head-wear.

**Susieq62** · 29th July 12, 01:16 AM

Haha, SO glad I don't have to worry about all that!

**ScotFree** · 29th July 12, 07:16 AM

Originally Posted by Susieq62

Haha, SO glad I don't have to worry about all that!

Worry about it? That's part of the fun!

**Mike_Oettle** · 29th July 12, 11:06 AM

Hi, Susieq62, and welcome to X Marks.
Which tartan, you ask? The answer is any of those you named, and (if you can afford them) all of them!
The surviving Cameron Highlanders might in fact be very grateful if you would wear their tartan, Cameron of Erracht, because in the amalgamated Royal Regiment of Scotland, only the pipers and drummers of the 1st Battalion still wear that tartan – members of the battalion wear Gordon tartan kilts or Mackenzie (Seaforth) trews.
The choice is yours, though.
As a woman, you have a wider range of choice for garments than men do.
Whereas we mere males can wear the tartan of our choice as a kilt (a few prefer trews) and perhaps additionally as a waistcoat (vest) or a plaid, you can wear it as a skirt (long or short), a dress, a sash, a shawl – there are choices galore.
Enjoy the world of tartan!
Regards,
Mike

See Cameron of Erracht here: http://www.tartanregister.gov.uk/tar...e.aspx?ref=495