Tartan-wearing conventions among Scots

[davidlpope]

I would venture to say that probably 90% of those who own their own kilt (as opposed to renting one) would own one in their clan or family tartan.

What about folks that don't have a "clan or family tartan" associated with their surname?

[Jock Scot]

What about folks that don't have a "clan or family tartan" associated with their surname?

Yes I see what you are getting at, in truth no one asks! I suppose we assume some sort of clan connection. Another reason for only wearing one tartan, as we usually do.

I can't say that I have really noticed, but district tartans are not really worn by individuals, I think that on the whole we would probably assume they were for pipe bands, if we give it any thought at all.

[Phil]

What about folks that don't have a "clan or family tartan" associated with their surname?

And what about those that do but wouldn't be seen dead in that tartan. There are 4 types of Scots that I can think of off-hand:-
1. Those that won't wear a kilt, not ever, in no circumstances
2. Those that hire a kilt for weddings etc. - they will wear anything the hire company has on offer
3. Those that buy a cheap kilt because they can't justify spending a lot of money - once again they will wear anything they can get at the right price
4. And finally those who want to look good and pay top price for a full 8 yard kilt, probably in a tartan connected to their father's surname or, failing that like me, their mother's.

[Edinburghkiltie]

And what about those that do but wouldn't be seen dead in that tartan. There are 4 types of Scots that I can think of off-hand:-
1. Those that won't wear a kilt, not ever, in no circumstances
2. Those that hire a kilt for weddings etc. - they will wear anything the hire company has on offer
3. Those that buy a cheap kilt because they can't justify spending a lot of money - once again they will wear anything they can get at the right price
4. And finally those who want to look good and pay top price for a full 8 yard kilt, probably in a tartan connected to their father's surname or, failing that like me, their mother's.

I agree with the above comments - I think that reflects the reality of the situation. I'd add a further two categories:
5. Once you have a number of kilts (and you might have your clan tartan in ancient, modern and/or weathered versions) you might for the sake of variety simply own a kilt in a tartan that you particularly like the look of. My clan is Farquharson (see pic) and I have the kilt in ancient , modern and weathered versions but I also have kilts in Gunn, Spirit of Scotland, Edinburgh Military Tattoo, Black Douglas, Black Watch, Lady Borrowdale's Gift, Highland Granite, Isle of Skye & Ramsay.
6. Some people don't have a clan tartan to fall back on eg Scots of Irish descent so they tend to pic a neutral tartan (eg district or spirit or pride of scotland) or simply one they like.
Richard
http://www.flickr.com/photos/fotos_b...ay/2766126005/

[O'Callaghan]

This thread is educational. I have read in other threads that one should choose a district tartan before going with remote relatives, but it has become evident that nearly all Scots do quite the reverse, and regards district tartans as the tartans of last resort. Also, it seems that some Scots are not above simply wearing a tartan they like and can get for the right price, whereas the 'kilt police' would tell you that only Americans do that. I think the message is that Scots show common sense. Not a Scot or an American here, so no axe to grind.

[Jock Scot]

This thread is educational. I have read in other threads that one should choose a district tartan before going with remote relatives, but it has become evident that nearly all Scots do quite the reverse, and regards district tartans as the tartans of last resort. Also, it seems that some Scots are not above simply wearing a tartan they like and can get for the right price, whereas the 'kilt police' would tell you that only Americans do that. I think the message is that Scots show common sense. Not a Scot or an American here, so no axe to grind.

I think,with respect, you mis-understand how the Scots View(or not) district tartans. The fact is, that most of us don't even know they exist, so they don't come into our thoughts at all. They can't be a last resort as we,on the whole, don't know about them!

Yes indeed there are Scots that do wear many tartans, I would venture to suggest that they are not the norm though, but it is a free world after all and we are lucky to have the choice of how, where and why we wear the kilt.

Are you saying that the Scots should change their national dress to fit in with the rest of the world's version of what they see as how we Scots should dress? I hope not.That would be impertinence and arrogance,beyond belief! Maybe I am misreading things when you say that the "Scots show common sense"?

[Phil]

I would never have thought of a district tartan but would have chosen one from an associated clan as being a "proper" tartan not one of those modern made up ones. That is just a personal opinion, of course, but I think pretty general over here. If I have to be honest I don't think most Scots really know one tartan from another (apart from the one they are wearing possibly). Whenever I am kilted I quite often get asked what tartan I am wearing and, no, never THE QUESTION. It just does not happen here, not to me anyway.

[Jock Scot]

I would never have thought of a district tartan but would have chosen one from an associated clan as being a "proper" tartan not one of those modern made up ones. That is just a personal opinion, of course, but I think pretty general over here. If I have to be honest I don't think most Scots really know one tartan from another (apart from the one they are wearing possibly). Whenever I am kilted I quite often get asked what tartan I am wearing and, no, never THE QUESTION. It just does not happen here, not to me anyway.

The Question? Never been asked in nearly 70 years of kilt wearing.

[O'Callaghan]

I think,with respect, you mis-understand how the Scots View(or not) district tartans. The fact is, that most of us don't even know they exist, so they don't come into our thoughts at all. They can't be a last resort as we,on the whole, don't know about them!

Yes indeed there are Scots that do wear many tartans, I would venture to suggest that they are not the norm though, but it is a free world after all and we are lucky to have the choice of how, where and why we wear the kilt.

Are you saying that the Scots should change their national dress to fit in with the rest of the world's version of what they see as how we Scots should dress? I hope not.That would be impertinence and arrogance,beyond belief! Maybe I am misreading things when you say that the "Scots show common sense"?

Not atall, Jock. I'm just interested in how you see it.

[Jock Scot]

Not atall, Jock. I'm just interested in how you see it.

Oh right! I am glad about that.