MacMillan modern black tartan

[BoldHighlander]

I don't get the whole idea of individuals (either corporate or sole) thinking they can invent "new" clan tartans without first asking for the chief's approval.

Is this strictly a USA thing? I mean I don't blame Reay one bit for not responding. How do you politely respond to the affront of being told "We don't like your family tartans all that much, so we've designed a new one. Now approve it." I think Reay deserves a medal for forbearance.

Perhaps someone can enlighten me in the matter of ignoring one's Chief when deciding to "create" clan traditions-- like tartans. I just don't get it.

I would've responded sooner but was away until a short while ago.

First off "they" did not tell him any of the sort. You have spoken out of turn on a subject that I am much more well acquainted with than you, and you have put words in "our" mouths that were never ever expressed!!

The short of it is this:
The "Dress Mackay" was designed by the Reverend John B. Pahls, Jr. in the year 2000 to mark the 125th anniversary of the succession of the Dutch cadet line to the chiefship of the Clan in 1875, & a PRESENTATION SAMPLE was woven; the Right Honourable the Lord Reay, Baron Mackay van Ophemert, Chief of the Name and Clan of Mackay was ASKED for his approval (NOT told), he has not replied (yet), and so after an approximate 8 year wait since this tartan was first created, the society has taken the step to have it registered as an "unofficial" & "personal" tartan.

As it is, the tartans approved by the Chief of the Mackays are much beloved by his American kinsmen & worn enthusiastically (and to date not a single kilt of the "new" tartan has been made....yet).