Family and Universal Tartans Only?!

[DWFII]

Excuse me...I'm relatively new and although I have one kilt on order and another about to be purchased (both 16 ounce wool), and I am like most folks I too am generally looking for a connection with family or district...as I understand it there was never any such thing as a "clan tartan."

It's all romantic Victorian nonsense. And by the time that tartans began to be...literally...assigned to specific clans, the clan system was nothing but a romantic fiction itself.

There's a famous painting of the Battle of Culloden in which there is not one tartan duplicated amongst all the highland warriors. You would think that even in a frantic melee several fighters would have elected to go forth together.

So, from my somewhat ignorant perspective that would seem to suggest that if you are really interested in honouring your Scots traditions, wearing a tartan is more important than wearing that one tartan.

Just my 2 cents...

[Dirk Skene]

I'll answer the question like this:

I have 14 kilts. Only 1 is my clan tartan. I have 2 universals. The others are in tartans of other clans. If someone wishes to wear only their clan tartan that's their prerogative. But if anyone even thinks they do not approve of one I am wearing, for whatever reason, they need to keep their opinion to themselves.

[Galb]

I'm with Glen on this one. If you don't want to wear another family's tartan, why would you do so for the wedding just so you match?

You're not joining his family. I think it would have more meaning if you wore your own tartan. It would be a way of showing that your family supports his.

Good point. Never thought of it that way. Well, it will never come up anyways. I can't see any of my friends wearing a kilt. None have the stones to put one on. ;)

[Clockwork John]

At this point, I only wear tartans that I have a connection to (Black Watch/Campbell and Campbell of Argyll) because that's all I have. There are a few "universals" I'd like to own, and I may branch out into other clan tartans eventually, but I've got too many tartans that I can actually claim a connection to that are at the top of my list.

I say, wear what you want. If you want to wear your own tartan, other clan tartans, solids, tweeds, prints, cammo, or pink satin..

Just wear kilts!

[Galb]

Excuse me...I'm relatively new and although I have one kilt on order and another about to be purchased (both 16 ounce wool), and I am like most folks I too am generally looking for a connection with family or district...as I understand it there was never any such thing as a "clan tartan." It's all romantic Victorian nonsense. And by the time that tartans began to be...literally...assigned to specific clans, the clan system was nothing but a romantic fiction itself. There's a famous painting of the Battle of Culloden in which there is not one tartan duplicated amongst all the highland warriors. You would think that even in a frantic melee several fighters would have elected to go forth together. So, from my somewhat ignorant perspective that would seem to suggest that if you are really interested in honouring your Scots traditions, wearing a tartan is more important than wearing that one tartan. Just my 2 cents...

I read this and I thought to myself "I like the "false" romantic nonsense." I mean, what is more appealing that something you have connection with. Regardless I did some research into the history of the tartan. And where I knew it only went back so far, I didn't realize that the concept of clan tartans isn't that old (relatively speaking of course). The naming and registration of official clan tartans began on April 8, 1815 when the Highland Society of London (founded 1778) resolved that all the clan chiefs each "be respectfully solicited to furnish the Society with as Much of the Tartan of his Lordship's Clan as will serve to Show the Pattern and to Authenticate the Same by Attaching Thereunto a Card bearing the Impression of his Lordship's Arms." Many had no idea of what their tartan might be, but were keen to comply and to provide authentic signed and sealed samples. Alexander Macdonald, 2nd Baron Macdonald of Slate was so far removed from his Highland heritage that he wrote to the Society: "Being really ignorant of what is exactly The Macdonald Tartan, I request you will have the goodness to exert every Means in your power to Obtain a perfectly genuine Pattern, Such as Will Warrant me in Authenticating it with my Arms." The tartan of a Scottish clan is a sequence of colours and shades unique to the material, authorised by the clan society for use by members of that clan for kilts, ties, and other garments and decorations. Every clan with a society has at least one distinct tartan. While "heraldic" in the sense of being visual representation of blood relation, they are not "Scottish heraldry", strictly speaking. In Scotland, heraldry is protected under the law by the court of the Lord Lyon, King of Arms, and there are penalties for bearing an unauthorised Coat of arms. Any tartan specified in a Grant of Arms by the Lord Lyon is registered by him, but there is no legal prohibition against wearing the "wrong" tartan. It is considered proper to wear a clan tartan if the wearer is associated with the clan by name, by blood or by legal adoption. In this connection, one ought to be mindful of the fact that by tradition, Scottish bloodlines run on the mother's side as well as the father's (As the saying goes: "Scots blood cannot be diluted by anything save by Scots whisky!") - just as clan chiefs are by no means necessarily male; therefore, wearing the tartan of one's grandmother's clan is held to be perfectly appropriate, and, indeed, a most laudable manifestation of proper veneration. It is also proper to wear a tartan ascribed to the district, county, or shire.

Just a link if anyone wanted a read. This definitely can put a damper on my previous stance as it seems. As a previous poster had mentioned, it may be more important to simply wear a Scottish tartan to show off your heritage. Now, I have another dilemma, thanks to that above poster DWFII... You may have just cost me countless dollars. However, my kilt collection may very well increase. BAH!

[ardchoille]

I was that way at first.. then I started learning about how clans inter-married. When I was researching my family history, I began to find all manner of other clans/septs. I thought I only had MacGregor blood, but after a bit of research I found that I also had ties to many other clans, the main being Clan Campbell.

Besides, limiting your tartans also limits your choices.

[DWFII]

I like the "romantic nonsense" myownself. And as I mentioned above, both the kilts I have ordered mean something to me--I have a tartan that has been designed for me (and will be registered) that changes the colours of the "clan" tartan somewhat and I have funded intent on an IOS tartan...not only because Skye is where the MacSweens/MacQueens ended up but just as much because it is so beautiful.

All I was saying was that having those kinds of connections is great but it is perhaps wise to keep in mind that it is more an historical fiction than a limit.

As much as I like and admire the Black Watch tartan and the proud military history behind it, at one time the "Watch" was not loved in the Highlands.

[Rex_Tremende]

When confronted with overly enthusiastic, self-identifying clansmen, I have been trying to condition myself to say, "Why, yes, I am a [tartan-du-jour] on my mother's side," but so far all I have been able to stammer is that I bought the kilt because it was a deal I couldn't pass up. It usually ends the conversation pretty quickly, which is OK, because I don't usually have much to say to perfect strangers who violate my personal space in first place.

Regards,
Rex.

[robthehiker]

Today, when I venture out of the house, I plan on wearing Ferguson.

And we're pleased to have you Jay! Welcome to clan Ferguson.

[McClef]

Each has to decide for themselves of course but just as we get told you have to be Scottish to wear a kilt in the first place and (then only in Scotland!) so is the notion that a Clan connection is required before a particular tartan can be justified equally without a just foundation.

Of course those of us who do have a Clan connection may well have a kilt or two in the tartans of that Clan but some Clan tartans may not appeal at all. I have a kilt that was sold as a MacMillan but then found out it isn't but would love it no matter what it was called!