Can anyone wear any tartan?

[RadioKen]

I'm a member of clan Keith (true) and the Keiths had been enemies with Clan Gunn for several hundred years (until official peace several years ago). Before the peace it would have been inappropriate for me to wear the tartan of Clan Gunn, even if I liked it better than my own clan.

I can trace my ancestry to Keith as well as Gunn, and I have to say that between the two I actually DO like the Gunn tartan better. (Well, Gunn Modern, anyway.)

I'm also a Gregor and the current Chief of that clan, Sir Malcolm MacGregor, has stated publicly that of the four Gregor "clan" tartans, only two are, in his opinion as Chief, appropriate for ANY Gregor to wear. Those are the the MacGregor Red and Black (the proper name for the so-called "Rob Roy" pattern), and the MacGregor Red and Green. MacGregor of Glengyle/Deeside is a tartan which he suggests should be reserved for that branch of the clan. Furthermore, he states explicitly that the tartan called MacGregor of Cardney should, as far as he is concerned, be worn only by MacGregors from Cardney. (He did point out, however, that this tartan was for years sold erroneously as "MacGregor Hunting", and has said that if you've already got it in your closet because of that to go ahead and wear it.)

Does that mean that people who aren't MacGregors from Cardney can't wear the MacGregor of Cardney tartan? I think we've established in this thread (and many, many others) that it does not. However, it does mean (to me, anyway, as a Gregor) that perhaps I shouldn't wear it, if for no other reason than the head of the clan it represents has said so. I respect him and his position (as I would the Chief of any clan), and will therefore respect his opinion in this matter. (Which is too bad, in a way, because I would really like a MacGregor kilt and USA Kilts has a small supply remaining of the tartan they sell as "MacGregor" which is, in fact, MacGregor of Cardney.)

~Ken