Quote Originally Posted by Geoff Withnell View Post
Ah, I believe we are actually in fairly close agreement. I recognize and honor the association, of whatever length, recent or ancient, of some tartans and some clans/families. As I said in my original reply, and have said elsewhere, the Marine Corps is my clan, and I wear the USMC tartan proudly. Can a non-Marine wear it? Certainly, if done with respect. But tartans are not heraldry. I would not dream of wearing someone's coat of arms. And I would be upset at someone not a Marine wearing an Eagle Globe and Anchor. But a tartan that was woven and sold to all and sundry for many years is not a coat of arms, and can't have that kind of exclusive status. We don't need to claim great antiquity for the concept. Scotland can hardly encourage the mills to produce and sell tartans throughout the world, and then not expect folks to wear them! And certainly the Monarchs are "British". But George VI and Victoria were far more English than Scottish, by all accounts I have read.

I am giving serious thought to buying a Gordon tartan kilt. I am Jewish, and many Scottish Jews are named Gordon, and many who are not have worn the Gordon tartan (usually the Dress tartan). This seems like a close enough association to me, but i would not want to be upbraided for wearing a tartan I "don't have the right to".

Again, I respect the clans association with a tartan, and realize haw strong the feeling can be, however recent. But to say that there is something wrong, or unmannerly, or disrespectful in wearing a tartan of a clan one is not a part of is just not justified, given the history.

Geoff Withnell
Agreed, Geoff. Tartans are not heraldry. Though I doubt Victoria might disagree with your comments about being more English than Scottish, given her love of the Highlands.

Let me just say: I do not believe that it is wrong for someone to wear a tartan that they are not justified to wear, only that it is wrong for me to do so. My sense of honour won't allow me to do it. My sense of honour would also never permit me to tell someone else that they were wrong. It's simply a personal choice.

As far as the Gordon tartan goes, as Gil mentioned, there is a long-standing association between the Gordon tartan and Scottish Jews, so why not?

So, yes, we are in fairly close agreement.

Todd