Wearing kilts of other tartans than your clans.

**Bugbear** · 29th July 08, 04:13 AM

I do not belong to a clan, so I've struggled with this. I've decided to try to stick to fashion tartans or of non-clan groups. I really just want two kilts, a black compatible and a brown compatible.

I do have a kilt with a tartan based on the Lamont tartan, but a half set. I'm aware of the general history of the Lamont clan... and it kind of touched me.

My first traditional kilt will be in the Highland Granite tartan, and if I decide to get a second trad, it will be in a tartan that is a special weave... I'm still looking into that second one.

**Phil** · 29th July 08, 04:23 AM

I must agree with you Trefor. This is a topic that comes up fairly regularly and seems to draw fairly polarised opinions. Mine is that a kilt is a garment available to all who wish to wear it and that if you think you have an association to one particular pattern of tartan then that is one reason to choose it from an otherwise bewilderingly wide selection. The other is simply to choose the pattern you like and to suggest that only those with a particular surname may wear that tartan is redolent of the exclusivity that blights other areas of life with the unspoken aim of creating divisions in society which cannot be overcome by the normal means of ambition or ability. Apart from a few patterns subject to commercial patents or the odd family one such as the Balmoral there is absolutely no justifiable reason not to select whatever tartan you like. I could change my name tomorrow by deed poll to MacPherson, Buchanan, McKinnon or whatever but would that give me some inalienable right to wear their tartan? Many former slaves in the West Indies bear such Scottish surnames after their one-time masters and the mere possession of a particular surname can have many sources most of which will have no strong connection with any actual clan.

**Jock Scot** · 29th July 08, 05:21 AM

We all see tartans in our own way and choose whichever tartan for a variety of good and maybe not so good reasons,but that is an individual's choice and that is as it should be.Others may not agree with that choice, for their own very good reasons too and I can't help but think that the the Highlanders have a point when they keep their views to themselves,well public opinions anyway.Frustrating and sometimes confusing that may well be.Nevertheless, whichever way we look at a tartan and whatever we may think, it is down to choice and most certainly in this day and age, no tartan is worth falling out over.

I have often wondered if this seemingly natural caution,of the Highlanders, is a result of centuries of clan and family feuds where the airing of opinions may have resulted in dire and possible terminal consequenses.

**Finn** · 29th July 08, 05:31 AM

Currently, I have only one tartan kilt- US Army. I felt that it is appropriate, as I'm like the Wizard with no clan. My next will be a Weathered McKenzie because I REALLY like it. There are a few others which I'm attracted to, but there are others which I wouldn't wear for various reasons. I won't get any other US armed forces tartans (respect issue). I won't get the "MacMedic" or MacLaren or Isle of Skye just because I don't care for the appearance.
Be respectful of the clan tartans. That is my code.

**macwilkin** · 29th July 08, 05:35 AM

Originally Posted by Jock Scot

We all see tartans in our own way and choose whichever tartan for a variety of good and maybe not so good reasons,but that is an individual's choice and that is as it should be.Others may not agree with that choice, for their own very good reasons too and I can't help but think that the the Highlanders have a point when they keep their views to themselves,well public oppinions anyway.Frustrating and sometimes confusing that may well be.Nevertheless, whichever way we look at a tartan and whatever we may think, it is down to choice and most certainly in this day and age, no tartan is worth falling out over.

I have often wondered if this seemingly natural caution,of the Highlanders, is a result of centuries of clan and family feuds where the airing of oppinions may have resulted in dire and possible terminal consequenses.

Well said, Jock!

Todd

**Bugbear** · 29th July 08, 06:20 AM

Jock Scot, I have a few family members who would be much better off at least considering who might be listening before blasting out their opinions. I painfully learned early on to not repeat one of my family member's opinions in public.
Guess it's best to apply my opinions to myself, and understand that another person is not a cooky cutter version of me...
Peace and chicken grease as the saying goes.

**mcvarmit** · 29th July 08, 06:24 AM

my mother spent most of her life trying to trace our roots, started with the vikings and the saxons. last name Summers, Sommers, Sumner etc. as close as she could get was Sept to the Lindsays. which still makes me an American mutt, and damn proud of it. i started wearing a kilt as a joke, i was due for my yearly prostrate exam, my doc's a woman so i thought it would be funny that instead of her saying drop your pants and bend over, she had to say bend over and lift your skirt please, much to her credit she managed to keep a straight face. the moral to this story, kilts were a lot more comfortable to wear than jeans. clan tartans don't interest me much, there are plenty of non clan tartans out there to choose from, beside most people would'nt know one tartan from another, blackwatch would be the exception. so i wear a kilt not because i can trace my roots back to scotland, but because they are comfortable. semper fi slick

**Ancienne Alliance** · 29th July 08, 06:34 AM

I'm getting a few tweed kilts made for this fall and winter.

Check out this link, and please, read it all !

Best,

Robert

**redmond** · 29th July 08, 06:41 AM

i do think its a matter of personal choice, but if you are able to find some affilation its a good place to start from. i have a cornish tartan which i wear when with my scots /irish/welsh buddies.

**Dirk Skene** · 29th July 08, 06:42 AM

I have a Skeen that Rocky made for me & a Gunn I got from Semus at Sport Kilt. These I wear by "right." I also have a Royal Stewart, a Black Stewart & a Hunting Stewart. These I wear to honour the old Catholic Royality of Scotland. I also have a Gordon, a Mckenzie, another "hunting " of some kind & 7 others. These I wear because I like the colours.

Bottom line ...... wear what you like. The fact that you like it is the only reason you really need.