How far back is too far?

**Singlemalt** · 13th February 19, 02:56 PM

Whenever I read these kind of threads I am very glad that there is a tartan which matches my surname and I like the colours so my choice is simple. The "rules" around what you should wear and what you should not are as varied as the people who offer them. I wear my kilt because it makes me feel good. I would chose the tartan for which you feel the strongest connection even if the evidence of connection is tenuous. No one is going to ask you for your papers. I see you are considering the Maple Leaf tartan. It is a beautiful one. If you would feel better having the "permission" of a Canadian to wear it....consider it given.

**CollinMacD** · 14th February 19, 07:35 AM

Anybody can buy and wear any tartan they choose, so have fun.

**Hirsty** · 14th February 19, 09:40 AM

Since most people move around a bit you'll tend to find that most Scots can lay claim to a few tartans in their lineage. It is worth looking at regional tartans as well. As mentioned above, many people go for a tartan that they find most aesthetically pleasing.

**AbuMaia** · 15th February 19, 12:51 PM

Originally Posted by Hirsty

Since most people move around a bit you'll tend to find that most Scots can lay claim to a few tartans in their lineage. It is worth looking at regional tartans as well. As mentioned above, many people go for a tartan that they find most aesthetically pleasing.

I was just thinking of this. A new branch of my family tree was recently revealed, and it includes some folk who lived in the Fife area for many generations, though are not of a major clan surname. I was about to go look to see if there was a Fife tartan. (Amusingly, the same branch also shows I'm a distant relation to Voldemort.

)

**Karl R** · 15th February 19, 02:53 PM

Originally Posted by AbuMaia

I was about to go look to see if there was a Fife tartan.

It looks like there are two district tartans (one recent, one from the late 1800s) plus several fashion tartans:
https://www.tartanregister.gov.uk/qR...rchString=fife

**AbuMaia** · 15th February 19, 03:04 PM

Thanks for the link. If I do get around to getting a Fife tartan someday, it'll probably be the Duke of Fife version.

**Taskr** · 19th February 19, 11:18 AM

interesting inquiry to me, being a mix of Macs. While the genealogy is well recorded to MacDonald Clan Ranald, a historic portrait found online is a visual support; looks like my daughter.

**Jock Scot** · 14th February 19, 01:44 PM

Originally Posted by CollinMacD

Anybody can buy and wear any tartan they choose, so have fun.

Well not quite. It would be more accurate to say, “Anybody can buy and wear NEARLY any tartan they choose.”

There are some restricted, few I grant you, tartans around. The Balmoral tartan is but one example.

**CollinMacD** · 14th February 19, 07:21 PM

Originally Posted by Jock Scot

Well not quite. It would be more accurate to say, “Anybody can buy and wear NEARLY any tartan they choose.”

There are some restricted, few I grant you, tartans around. The Balmoral tartan is but one example.

Maybe so on the primary market, but with Ebay and the secondary market you can purchase anything you wish..... and once you purchase it, who will stop you from wearing it? No Tartan Police that I know of, and I have to say, I disagree with all of this, and myself abide by the rules of tradition.

**The Q** · 21st February 19, 12:48 AM

Originally Posted by CollinMacD

Maybe so on the primary market, but with Ebay and the secondary market you can purchase anything you wish..... and once you purchase it, who will stop you from wearing it? No Tartan Police that I know of, and I have to say, I disagree with all of this, and myself abide by the rules of tradition.

I don't think there is a chance you'll Ever find a Balmoral tartan kilt or even material on the secondhand market..