Clan Douglas

[macwilkin]

I did not know that, but it is not really for reasons of age of the concept that I would prefer not to wear one. It is more that I am not from that district, but I am from my family, if you take my meaning. If I were told with some certainty that between period X and Y folks in the area my ancestors occupied wore a certain district tartan, and that this predated the acceptance of what is now the clan tartan, I would certainly consider it, but I am aware of no such evidence.
I'm betting, too, that the entire history of tartans in not so cut and dry that any one family or district tartan can really be said to be older than any other. It may be possible to nail down dates and times that certain tartans were worn by certain people in certain places, but from everything I've read on here so far the early history seems quite convoluted. Of course, you are likely to know more than I do!
This whole thing is just fascinating, really, and I did not think (though I might have, had I considered it!), that it would be so complicated as it is!

It's necessarily that a single tartan is older than another, but the concept of the district tartan. That fact is well-documented by scholars. The concept of tartans named for specific clans really didn't originate until the end of the 18th/beginning of the 19th century. I'm hoping that Matt or Peter will chime in here and explain it better than I can.

I own two kilts, one in my clan tartan, and one in the Iowa state tartan, which was designed in 2003. Even though it is a "young" tartan in that regard, for me, it not only stands for my Scottish ancestors who immigrated to Iowa in the 19th century, but also for the German, Danish, Norwegian and other fellow immigrants that they intermarried with in their new home, which they contributed to via their churches, lodges, military service, farms, etc. Would they have worn the Iowa tartan? Of course not, it wasn't around in 19th century Iowa. But the symbolism of that place is what is important to me. But that is just me.

Again, I do hope I haven't caused offence.

T.