Formula 51 revisited

[Doc Hudson]

(Is it just me or is that the most awkward sentence of the last few months?)

Apparently you've not read various posts I've made here and at other forums. You'd really have to try to get more convoluted than some sentences I've written recently.

As for your question, here is my take one the matter.

One hundred and forty or so years ago, one of your ancestors was asked to give his last name. Not uncommon for a Freedman to take the name of his former master, especially if that master was worthy of claiming kinship.

In addition to making use of their labor, slaveholders gave their slaves protection from outsiders, and cared for physical needs. This is not unlike the compact between Laird and clansmen in that matter. The clansmen gave loyalty, and labor to the Laird, and followed the Laird into battle. In return, the Laird protected the clansmen form outside forces, and made sure that they had a roof over their heads and some food in the pot.

Therefore, I'd say you have just as much right to wear the tartan as any other sept of any clan.

BTW, that is a very handsome tartan. What clan does it represent? What does the clan badge look like?

[JazzKiltz]

Intersting take, Doc. This is a subject I give some idle thought to from time to time. I'm just as happy wearing solids as tartans, but have been thinking about what tartan, if any, I WOULD get given the chance.

That "swatch" is one of the versions of Taylor Ancient I've found online (as I understand it, the Taylor's are a sept of the Camerons). Someone in another thread mentioned tartans with pink in them, but in looking I'm thinking this is more of a magenta than an actual pink.

Here's another version of Taylor Ancient


I'm a bit more partial to this one, but I haven't seen a pic of the other as an actual kilt on someone and this one I have (a piper advertising his services for weddings and such. Full on with fly plaid, spats etc. Quite Striking!)

Again, thanks for your thoughts. Well considered and historically substantiated! 8)

[Rigged]

Some part of my family was probably owned by a Ramsey (or Ramsay - spelling didn't seem to be very important in those times). That's part of the reason for me changing my last name to Clearlake. The main reason was because it sounds more Native American and I wanted to connect with that part of my heritage (very important to my paternal grandmother).

So, in a sense, I've come full circle and have embraced the Scottish connection as well by ordering a Hunting Stewart tartan kilt.

The connection is that some members of the Ramsay clan were very helpful to the Stuarts.
http://www.myclan.com/clans/Ramsay_115/default.php

But that's not why this Black man wears kilts. I wear them for style and comfort. But it's nice to have a story to go with it when I'm pressed for one.

Formula 51 is a positive movie if you can get past the swearing and gross-out sight gags. The bad guys end up with less than nothing. The good guy wins in the "end".

[JazzKiltz]

I agree Bill. I started wearing a kilt because it was comfortable, really kewl looking and made my lovely wife all weak in the knees (i later found out she wasn't the only one! ) These tartan/clan/affiliation questions started popping up, for me, as I got more and more into being kilted most (if not all) of the time. As I said, it's kind of idle speculation for me. If I ever decide I really want to wear a tartan, my wife is a McLeod (on both sides of the family as I understand it - apparently my father-in-law was quite fond of the "loud MacLeod" though I never saw him in a kilt) and there is a Taylor tartan.

I was just curious what thoughts some of our more "traditionally-minded" bretheren here at XMarks might have on the subject. Since we were discussing SLJ in that movie.