Tartan-wearing conventions among Scots

[macwilkin]

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.

Respectfully, though Jock -- there are a number of district tartans that are also clan tartans. For example, the Argyll District tartan is also the Campbell of Cawdor, the Hunting Macpherson is the Badenoch District, and the Cumming Hunting the Buchan District tartan.

Regards,

Todd

[Jock Scot]

Respectfully, though Jock -- there are a number of district tartans that are also clan tartans. For example, the Argyll District tartan is also the Campbell of Cawdor, the Hunting Macpherson is the Badenoch District, and the Cumming Hunting the Buchan District tartan.

Regards,

Todd

You prove my point exactly Todd, generally speaking most Scots only know a few tartans and the ones you mention above, are a perfect demonstration of this fact. I had no idea, nor would, at a guess, most Scots.

[macwilkin]

You prove my point exactly Todd, generally speaking most Scots only know a few tartans and the ones you mention above, are a perfect demonstration of this fact. I had no idea, nor would, at a guess, most Scots.

And an ironic point, because the district tartan's pedigree is older than the clan tartan.

T.

[Jock Scot]

And an ironic point, because the district tartan's pedigree is older than the clan tartan.

T.

Ah,my excuse is that I have no connection to those tartans!

[Paul]

My family tartan would be Buchanan as I am a McInally... my mother's maiden name is Campbell and so is my middle name. I feel a strong connection to both sides - but moreso my Campbells. This is simply because I am not 100% genetically a McInally. My grandfather's mother fell pregnant whilst unmarried in Ireland and moved to Glasgow. She found a husband here and obviously took his surname - whilst also adopting her new surname as her child's (my grandfather's).
I think tartans nowadays are mainly worn as "wear what you like"... just see whatever looks good. My next 2 purchases will be City of Dundee and MacDonald Dress and I have no connection to these 2 tartans whatsoever. I just really like them!

[Urchurdan]

I wear the Urquhart Ancient Tartan when I am at an event that demands I show Clan Allegiance, I also Have a kilt in the Scottish Heritage tartan, because I love the new purple based tartans.
I also have a Lion Rampant kilt, pleated to the stripe at the back, I love wearing that one too. I wear it to display I am a Scottish Monarchist, probably what would be termed a Jacobite in the old days.
I have had adverse comments from 'purists' here in my native Scotland, who view anything that is not based on a pure tartan is a skirt. Its all down to point of view I think, its definitely a generational thing I believe
I have had an elderly gentleman ask me if I didn't know I shouldn't wear a tartan tie with a kilt, the rule being no tartan above the waist with a kilt.
Another thing I love to do, is wear black hose with the Purple kilt, as I think they look great with it - however, that got another purist on my back at Braemar games, when I was asked if I knew that black hose should only be worn at funerals.
Ah well, I always thought I was a bit of a purist when it came to kilt wearing, but believe me, there are people out there who are so straight laced about these things its scarey....

[The Guy in the Kilt at UC]

that got another purist on my back at Braemar games, when I was asked if I knew that black hose should only be worn at funerals.

Just tell him there's still time left in the day and glare back at him.

[longhuntr74]

OK...I'm going to ask a newbie question here. Is there a good resource out there to research surnames as they relate to clan affiliations. It is my understanding that my surname is of English origins...Bavis now, but originally perhaps Baevis or something similar. It's a very uncommon name so I would never expect to find it on a list. There are some other family names (it seems mostly on my wife's side of the family) that I have found Tartans for such as Cooper and Young. I'd be willing to bet that somewhere a Webb (also English) would appear somewhere in a name list, though I haven't seen it as a pattern on any tartan sites. I guess I've already made up my mind to buy kilts that have some signifcance to my career of that I just find attractive. I have plans to get an Army Tartan kilt at some point...but I just recently put a downpayment on a Young Tartan kilt that has a combination of my specific Army branch colors in the weave. Should I be shunned for wanting to wear a kilt if I can't verify any Scottish heritage??

[Phil]

I have had an elderly gentleman ask me if I didn't know I shouldn't wear a tartan tie with a kilt, the rule being no tartan above the waist with a kilt.

I've heard that one too. I suppose that's my waistcoat "oot the windae" then -



but at least I'm not wearing a tartan tie so that will be OK.

Another thing I love to do, is wear black hose with the Purple kilt, as I think they look great with it - however, that got another purist on my back at Braemar games, when I was asked if I knew that black hose should only be worn at funerals.

I wonder if you were wearing trainers with a business suit(that's if you wear one of course) whether these people would feel it appropriate to mention them. Do you think there is something about putting on a kilt that opens you up to critical comments like that?

[The Guy in the Kilt at UC]

OK...I'm going to ask a newbie question here. Is there a good resource out there to research surnames as they relate to clan affiliations. It is my understanding that my surname is of English origins...Bavis now, but originally perhaps Baevis or something similar. It's a very uncommon name so I would never expect to find it on a list. There are some other family names (it seems mostly on my wife's side of the family) that I have found Tartans for such as Cooper and Young. I'd be willing to bet that somewhere a Webb (also English) would appear somewhere in a name list, though I haven't seen it as a pattern on any tartan sites. I guess I've already made up my mind to buy kilts that have some signifcance to my career of that I just find attractive. I have plans to get an Army Tartan kilt at some point...but I just recently put a downpayment on a Young Tartan kilt that has a combination of my specific Army branch colors in the weave. Should I be shunned for wanting to wear a kilt if I can't verify any Scottish heritage??

No, no, no. Kilts and the army go hand in hand. So what if you don't have Scottish ancestry. Wear your Army kilt with pride.