Tartan Help - Probably way to much info, but now I gotta zero in on this option

**KiltedSergeant** · 24th May 18, 12:33 PM

Originally Posted by LKM

The number one rule in picking a tartan is go with what you want. I normally go for non-clan related tartans myself. If you find a family history related tartan at some time, there is nothing that says you can only have one kilt. Many people have more then one. From what you listed about your search for a tartan that means something for you I would think these tartans could be a good starting point of tartans to look at:

U.S. 2001 Air Force https://www.tartanregister.gov.uk/ta...tails?ref=4179
US Air Force Reserve Pipe Band https://www.tartanregister.gov.uk/ta...tails?ref=4180

Well, like a few others here, I'm retired USAF- 20 years. I have a USAF kilt, but it should be noted that unlike the Marines and Army (don't know about Navy) There IS NO official USAF tartan. One can wear either of the two above, but mine is the "Lady Jane", or U.S. 2001 Air Force, which after I researched a bit seemed to be the one most often used, but the USAF Pipe Band (which sadly no longer exists, by the way) is a good choice as well. If you click the links you'll see the subtle differences.

**lschwartz** · 25th May 18, 10:40 AM

Originally Posted by jose995

Well, like a few others here, I'm retired USAF- 20 years. I have a USAF kilt, but it should be noted that unlike the Marines and Army (don't know about Navy) There IS NO official USAF tartan. One can wear either of the two above, but mine is the "Lady Jane", or U.S. 2001 Air Force, which after I researched a bit seemed to be the one most often used, but the USAF Pipe Band (which sadly no longer exists, by the way) is a good choice as well. If you click the links you'll see the subtle differences.

Actually, I don't think that any branch of service has an OFFICIALLY sanctioned tartan, although they do exist for most branches of service.

Larry

**Tobinn** · 28th May 18, 07:13 AM

I'd like to second (or are we up to thirds or fourths?) the opinion previously expressed regarding just going for what you like rather than insisting on "meaning" for the first kilt.

I'm a newbie owning only two kilts (which ain't bad considered I got my first only earlier this year) and I ended up getting Black Watch for the first and Brown Watch for the second. Now that I've got my foot in the door I'm looking at tartans with "meaning". Parry (surname), New York City (where I was born and my mom was a true New Yorker - she had a pewter plate engraved with "When you leave New York you ain't goin' nowhere", Manx, Welsh and a few others.

Regardless, good on you for taking the plunge!

**KiltedSergeant** · 28th May 18, 10:13 AM

Originally Posted by lschwartz

Actually, I don't think that any branch of service has an OFFICIALLY sanctioned tartan, although they do exist for most branches of service.

Larry

A quick look at the Scottish Register of Tartans shows that you are correct! Thanks.

**Geoff Withnell** · 29th May 18, 04:01 AM

I believe the US Coast Guard kilt is an official uniform item for the US Coast Guard pipe band, making the tartan sanctioned, if only for a small group. I learned this when my local Scottish American Military Society (I didn't use the acronym ha-ha), piper had to get official permission to where his Coast Guard kilt for a Society event, since it is a uniform item. He is in the USCG pipe band.

**OC Richard** · 4th June 18, 05:58 PM

Did the German Heritage tartan come into the discussion? As if the OP doesn't have enough tartans on his plate already!

I can sympathize, having several tartans I could go with. (Not as many as many of you!)

Isle of Arran
MacDonald
Stewart
Cooper
Cavan
Cornwall
West Virginia
California

But... I wear Isle of Skye! Simply because I like it.

**RodF** · 4th June 18, 09:31 PM

Originally Posted by OC Richard

Did the German Heritage tartan come into the discussion? As if the OP doesn't have enough tartans on his plate already!

I can sympathize, having several tartans I could go with. (Not as many as many of you!)

Isle of Arran
MacDonald
Stewart
Cooper
Cavan
Cornwall
West Virginia
California

But... I wear Isle of Skye! Simply because I like it.

LOL, it did actually. But, I discounted it from the list before I made the post. Here is where my thought process is at the present and I really appreciate the help folks - it's good to read and get a sense of how folks look at this type of decision:

Robertson Hunting - greens and blues are what are my house colors so these are just there and I have long identified with this Clan with my lowland Reids

Washington State but not sure how it will pleate out if it can even be obtained

Lanarkshire - colors (blue) are a bit too "baby blue" for me (which was the same with the USAF related tartans)

Two Fife related (Duke and Duchess) are just too green I think.

**davidlpope** · 7th June 18, 10:43 AM

I'd go with either Scott or Robertson, depending on which of those surnames is "closest" in your ancestry.

Both clans feature a red tartan and a green tartan (Scott has a brown hunting tartan, as well), with multiple color schemes for each, so you'll have plenty of options to choose from.

I find that attending highland games is much more fun when you have a group of built-in friends to catch up with. The easiest way to do that is to join a clan society, Robertson or Scott...

**RodF** · 7th June 18, 08:53 PM

Originally Posted by davidlpope

I'd go with either Scott or Robertson, depending on which of those surnames is "closest" in your ancestry.

Both clans feature a red tartan and a green tartan (Scott has a brown hunting tartan, as well), with multiple color schemes for each, so you'll have plenty of options to choose from.

I find that attending highland games is much more fun when you have a group of built-in friends to catch up with. The easiest way to do that is to join a clan society, Robertson or Scott...

Yea I am really leaning towards those - with Robertson being the one that I keep circling back to - was involved with that clan society for a while. Our remote rural location kinda made involvement hard, but we'll see.

**Steve Ashton** · 7th June 18, 11:05 PM

Another way to look at this whole thing is -

It is not about what name you currently have. If you go back even 5 generations you would have 32 grandparents and 32 different names.

So you do your geanology. Follow the paper trail back to where your people come from in Scotland.

Clans were only in the NW part of Scotland. The vast majority of Scots lived in the cities in the Lowlands and were not part of the Clan system, did not have a Tartan and did not wear kilts.

A person could live anywhere and have any name. You could be 100% Scottish and not be part of a Clan.

So, do your research and find out where within Scotland your people come from. Then we can figure out what Tartan would be most appropriate.

Wearing Tartan tells the world - Who am I? Where do my people come from? What went into making me who I am today? Find a Tartan that answers those questions for you and you have found the most appropriate Tartan.

Today there are around 10,000-11,000 registered Tartans. There are Tartans for just about everything and every one. Yes, Tartans carry names - We have to call them something. But those names are not owned, you cannot have a "right" to wear a Tartan, and there is no 'wrong'.

The 'rules' about what Tartan you should or can wear are simple.

1) Pick a Tartan that has some meaning to you. It may carry your current surname-it may be from where your people are from-it may be affiliated with an organization or company you are part of. Heck the meaning can even be "I like the colors".

2) Know what Tartan you are wearing. Someone will ask.

3) Wear it with pride!

Yes, there are Tartan snobs out there, but there are no Tartan Cops.