Real life tartan police?

[Streetcar]

Question here for M.A.C., or anyone else who has some insight.

An old friend of mine said he's been considering getting a kilt, and after he saw mine his mind was made up.

However, he said that he had researched it a bit, and found out there is a family tartan for his name - Little. He tried to tell me that the tartan was absolutely restricted to those with that name.

I told him I thought he might have been given some bad information, but he was convinced that the pattern had some sort of licensing and couldn't even be woven unless the proper documentation was in order.

I told him I would check with the most knowledgeable people on the subject - the participants on this board.

Could he possibly be right? Anyone have any insight to a "Little" tartan?

[The Wizard of BC]

check the Tartan finder on Kiltstore.net. One of our X Marks sponsors. They list a "Little" tartan woven by request.

[macwilkin]

I googled the Clan Little Society's web page. This is what it has to say about the Little tartan:

No one has knowledge of the original design of the "ancient tartan" or if one ever existed. This design is a modification of the Wallace and Shepherd Setts designed in 1991 by Dr.J.C. Little of Dumfries, for the newly organized Clan Little Society.

It's quite possible that the Little society "restricts" the sale of the tartan to society members only -- I believe the Clan Young used to do so (although I think that has changed) and I'm pretty sure the Maitlands do.

Note the reference to the "ancient tartan", which is a little disconcerting...

Cheers,

Todd

[prattw]

There are a few clans, at least, whose chosen tartans are available only on a custom order, that have a run of it woven up and will sell it only to clan members. Much like the recent run of Xmarks tartan. Owning the whole existing supply they can be choosey about who they sell it to. The president of our local St. Andrews Society had to swear an affidavit that she would wear ONLY the clan tartan before they'd sell it to her. (That is, that the only tartan she'd wear was the clan's, not that she would wear nothing else but the tartan.)

Will Pratt

[M. A. C. Newsome]

Well, the STA notes on the tartan don't indicate anything about production of it being restricted, and nothing I read on the Clan Little web site led me to believe that production of the tartan would be restricted....

So unless someone corrects me, I'd have to assume that anyone could have it woven. That means, for instance, that if yoru friend wanted to order the kilt from me, I could have it custom woven. However, I see also that the Clan Little society is selling the tartan, and they have 13 oz weight available at $50 per yard. I assume it is double width, which is a very good price. So I'd just buy the cloth from them and then send the cloth to the kiltmaker of your choice.
http://www.clanlittlesna.com/Tartan_Order_%20Form.htm

Aye,
Matt

[Streetcar]

I love this board!

Thank you all. I will forward the information to him straight away!

[mbhandy]

The president of our local St. Andrews Society had to swear an affidavit that she would wear ONLY the clan tartan before they'd sell it to her. (That is, that the only tartan she'd wear was the clan's, not that she would wear nothing else but the tartan.)Will Pratt

Well I hope she can wear other clothes or a top or something

MrBill ............................. CanI look Now??????

[UmAnOnion]

Well I hope she can wear other clothes or a top or something

MrBill ............................. CanI look Now??????

I am visualizing a tartan bikini top as we speak....

sounds lovely...

[mbhandy]

Would that be the little clan or the biggum clan???? :mrgreen:

MrBill

[macwilkin]

Getting back on topic now, restricted tartans are not just clan tartans -- some restricted tartans belong to corporations and organizations, such as the Scottish Tartans Authority's tartan -- meaning restricted to members only, similar to a club tie or lapel badge.

Cheers,

Todd