With the greatest possible respect for all the various points of view on this rather emotional topic, I would like to point out that tartans only became associated with particular clans at the beginning of the 19th century. Before that highland Scots wore tartan, whichever one they could get their hands on, and often even different tartans all at once. I am a great lover of tradition, don't get me wrong! But we needn't be too fussy when it comes to tartans, since their use as emblems for particular families is an invention of the Scottish wool merchants in order to stimulate national pride after the ban on tartans was lifted at the end of the 18th century....
Very well put, sir! This is exactly why I am such a promoter of the district tartan, since it is an "older" tradition than the clan or family tartan.

Don't get me wrong; I am all for the clan and/or family tartan, but I have run into several folks in the Scottish-American community who sincerely believe that the custom is an "ancient" one, which as you quite correctly pointed out, is not. I am proud of my clan tartans, but one must know the history behind them -- KNOW YOUR TARTAN is my mantra! :mrgreen:

Cheers,

T.