Newbe Question alert: Okay to wear other tartan?

**Southern Breeze** · 23rd September 06, 02:36 PM

There's no law against it. Just wear them with respect and a little knowledge of their history and background. Take a look at this thread-

http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/s...7&page=1&pp=10

**Alan H** · 23rd September 06, 02:48 PM

Wear what you like, but know the tartan...know who and what it represents and know a bit about the history behind it. In other words, show a bit of respect for what it represents...

...which is not a difficult thing, and it's fun to learn something of the history of the clans and regions.

**Raphael** · 23rd September 06, 02:53 PM

As long as you know what you are wearing. BTW, I have a Black Stewart Kilt.

**McClef** · 23rd September 06, 03:27 PM

A moot point might not be so much what are established clan tartans but for those that have been designed by individuals still living.

How do their intellectual rights work if someone wants to wear a tartan they have designed? Is their permission required, can they claim payment of a royalty?

Where the designer and the date of design are known this will show on the STA website where you can also design and register your own tartan.

**Oatmeal Savage** · 23rd September 06, 03:31 PM

Wow quite a thread, I am interested in the Royal Stewart tartan which, IIRC, in the current Royal tartan and as a member of Commonwealth I am permitted to wear, correct?

Thanks again, sorry for all the questions.

Kevin

Originally Posted by Southern Breeze

There's no law against it. Just wear them with respect and a little knowledge of their history and background. Take a look at this thread-

http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/s...7&page=1&pp=10

**Tattoo Bradley** · 23rd September 06, 04:13 PM

Originally Posted by Oatmeal Savage

Wow quite a thread, I am interested in the Royal Stewart tartan which, IIRC, in the current Royal tartan and as a member of Commonwealth I am permitted to wear, correct?

Thanks again, sorry for all the questions.

Kevin

As they've been trying to convey: there is NO LAW or PERMISSION required to wear ANY tartan. Wear what you like. Simply do it respectfully. I own a Wallace Modern and have absolutely no affiliation (that I know of) to the clan. I wear it out of admiration of William Wallace. I wear it with pride.

**McClef** · 23rd September 06, 04:16 PM

Go right ahead - I have a Royal Stewart too and my clan is Robertson!

**Andrew Green** · 23rd September 06, 04:19 PM

Absolutely wear what you want, but do it with respect, and pride naturally. Everyone else here has already said that, and I cannot help but echo that.

Also, if you are looking to diversify your wardrobe... and are getting tailored kilts, I would suggest a look at a number of the district tartans... many of them are just stunning patterns, and some of them quite old too. National tartans are typically eye catching too. There are a LOT of options out there when it comes to choosing tartans... often I find, the hardest part is trying to make up your mind!
Good times!

**Raphael** · 23rd September 06, 04:24 PM

If you are not buying a premade kilt, why don't you look at the BC tartan?

**parpin** · 23rd September 06, 05:09 PM

Hi all,

For purists wearing a kilt with a tartan that isn't our would be a sacrilege.

I was a little skeptical when I decided to buy a kilt and for that reason I choose the province of Quebec tartan.

To make things clear I decided to write to the canadian Fraser clan chief and asked hit if a non Fraser can wear a Fraser tartan without upseting a person of that clan.

Here is the reply

Hello Pierre Arpin,

Other than the Balmoral Tartan that is reserved for the exclusive use of members of the Royal Family, any of the now more than 5,000 tartans registered with the Scottish Tartans Authority, including the many Fraser tartans, may be worn by anyone who chooses to do so. I frequently encounter people wearing a Fraser tartan kilt and usually speak with them. A number of people I have encountered wearing a Fraser kilt have no Clan Fraser connection but just like our tartans, so feel free to wear whatever you like.

For a good example of the most popular Fraser tartans visit the site of The Lady Saltoun, Chief of Clan Fraser at http://www.fraserchief.co.uk/tartans.html The Fraser Gathering tartans, designed for the 1997 Clan Fraser Gathering at Castle Fraser, may not be readily available now, but Ancient Hunting and Red Dress Fraser are readily available from major Scottish tartan mills. I own and wear both a Red Fraser tartan kilt for formal events, and an Ancient Hunting Fraser tartan kilt for day wear.

Sincerely,

W. Neil Fraser, Chairman
Clan Fraser Society of Canada

Hoping that will help somebody in the future.