Thoughts on the Maple Leaf Tartan

**jthk** · 15th September 16, 07:20 AM

Originally Posted by ProudGrandsonofClanGrant

Jonathan: I was waiting for an American with a maple leaf kilt to chime in. I know you're not the only one. I don't know if you're familiar with the "lighting of the merry maple" in Amherst for Christmas, but that is one of my favourite events. Thank you for your advice and congratulations.Nick

Nick,

Yes, Amherst is not far south from my house and I travel through it twice a day en route to my work (I'm a teacher). If you return to Massachusetts, perhaps we could meet up for a cuppa or something.

Regards,
Jonathan

**jthk** · 15th September 16, 07:41 AM

Originally Posted by jthk

Nick,

Yes, Amherst is not far south from my house and I travel through it twice a day en route to my work (I'm a teacher). If you return to Massachusetts, perhaps we could meet up for a cuppa or something.

Regards,
Jonathan

Further, and I'm confident that my perspective will offend someone, but if a tartan is beautiful and I can appreciate it for its beauty and I know (a) where (clan/district/etc.) it comes from, (b) a brief history, and (c) how to wear it "well", then I don't mind wearing any tartan.

Best,
Jonathan

**ProudGrandsonofClanGrant** · 15th September 16, 08:45 AM

416 Rigby: From what I gather, you might still manage to offend someone, but your connection seems deep enough that
(although I cannot speak for them) I suppose most Canadians would "give you a pass".

Liam: What I love about this forum is that I am always learning. I have never heard such strict views regarding district tartans; I'm glad that I am now aware of how you (and possibly others) feel about some of them.

Jonathan: I have no idea if I will end up back in Massachusetts after graduation, but I wouldn't rule out a cuppa at some time. I guess I am a little more cautious about which tartans I would wear but I can definitely understand your stance as well.

Thank you for all the replies. I guess my deepest connection is to New Brunswick rather than all of Canada but trousers in that tartan would be very expensive. You've all given me things to think about. If anyone has any other thoughts, please do share them.

**Taskr** · 15th September 16, 08:47 AM

NB is in Canada.... just sayin'

**ProudGrandsonofClanGrant** · 16th September 16, 06:38 AM

Originally Posted by Taskr

NB is in Canada.... just sayin'

I was just thinking that the New Brunswick tartan might be more appropriate than the maple leaf given the fact that it is a district tartan with a family connection. But you are of course correct

**Taskr** · 7th February 17, 01:24 PM

So, PGCG, whatever did you decide for grad last May?

**48HofC** · 7th February 17, 02:57 PM

The one thing about the maple tartan being a national symbol that I don't understand, is why is it that the government decided to put the ceremonial guard pipers in Ottawa in black watch kilts rather than maple leaf. The original Canadian Guards wore Royal Stewart and when the ceremonial guard pipers emerged, they wore the uniform of their parent regiments so there was a nice variety of tartans. In the mid 90's the gov't wanted uniformity again and chose black watch over maple leaf which doesn't make sense because CG represents the entire county, not just one regiment. Was just curious if anyone knew why this was done.

**Taskr** · 8th February 17, 11:40 AM

The BW is considered the Government Tartan, and thus was the basis for the decision.

**48HofC** · 8th February 17, 12:13 PM

In Canada, the Black watch tartan isn't considered the the government tartan, the maple leaf is, that comes from DND's dept of culture and heritage. That's how pipers and drummers in the Canadian Forces not assigned to a unit that has assigned tartan can wear the maple leaf. ... I wrote CG, Cermonial Guard, not GG, Governor General.

**Taskr** · 8th February 17, 12:35 PM

Ah, my eyesight on the CG/GG. I'll amend my post #28 above

There are many references to the BW being the government tartan; including the CG pipers, the CalgH, and the BW themselves.

Though created in 1964, the ML became an official symbol of Canada in Mar 2011. In practical terms, then, it might have been that the ML not being official in the 90s would have kept it out of the decision pool. Of course, as an official symbol the ML joins the list of other official emblems and symbols. So, official national tartan, yes, but it is not the de facto government tartan. From DHH, page 6B-2 of Cdn Forces Dress Regs notes "Pipers - blue (Lowland) doublet; government (Black Watch) tartan" The ML is noted on page 6B-1 for wear by the RCR, but it is not noted as government tartan as on page 6B-2. See also Note 6 to Figure 6B-3 on page 6B-8.
http://www.cmp-cpm.forces.gc.ca/dhh-...S-UNIFORMS.pdf