District Tartans?

[M. A. C. Newsome]

District tartans and box pleats are two complications that the visitor could do without, that's all. Nevertheless, it is their choice when all said and done.

I understand what you are saying, Jock. I just, personally, wouldn't view the things you mentioned (box pleats and district tartans), as "complications."

I would hope that someone who has taken the time and effort to put together a nice outfit that included a box pleated kilt in a district tartan would also have at least a basic understanding of their pedigree and not have their pride hurt when a native-Scot didn't recognize these items on sight.

The modern-day revivial of the older box pleated style since 1983 is attributed to kiltmaker Bob Martin, an American; but the idea was given to him by Dr. Michiel MacDonald, a Scottish anthrolopogist.

But back to the subject of district tartans, I think the concept of district tartans (and box pleated kilts, for that matter) are equally unfamiliar to most Americans, as well. When the average American thinks of a kilt, they think of the 8 yard, knife pleated kilts they are used to seeing worn by pipe bands. And when they think of tartan, it is clan tartan. Most have never heard of district tartans.

So I don't think the American wearing his district tartan over here is really in that much of a different situation than if he were wearing it in Scotland.

To be perfectly honest, though, not many notice the difference or even care. When I wear a box pleated kilt in a district tartan to a Highland Games, Burns Supper, or anywhere else, most observers simply think, "oh, that's a kilt and a tartan," and don't get much more specific than that. Enthusiasts who are a bit more interested than most might notice that my pleats look a bit different from other kilts they have seen. If they ask, I'll tell them about the style and its pedigree, and usually a nice conversation ensues.

Same thing about district tartans. If they ask what the tartan I'm wearing is and I say the name of a place, rather than a clan, they often express confusion. Their assumption is that the only true tartans are clan tartans. When I explain the history of district tartans, they are usually very interested.

But my point here is that most Americans -- even those heavily involved in Scottish cultural activities -- are most familiar with clan tartans and 8 yard kilts and anything outside of that is seen as a bit unusual: the same situation you describe in Scotland.