wearing other family tartan rather than your own

[RockyR]

I know there are strong opinions on both sides of the argument, so I'll simply say that I have 45 +/- kilts, the majority of which are clan tartans. I know the name of every one (though I can not say I know the history of each clan) and wear them in a respectable manner... i.e. they're not ripped up with stains all over. In 8 years of wearing kilts (pretty much on a daily basis), I can honestly say that I have never had an awkward moment with anyone asking me about my tartan. Have people ASKED me "is that your family tartan?" Yes. My Answer: "No, this is the ____ tartan. I really liked the design and color shades the mill used and added it to my kilt collection." Generally, that is MORE than sufficient to answer the question and satisfy the inquirer.

I have worn them to many gatherings where there were clan societies present (highland games, Burns Suppers, etc) and have only had positive comments. Actually, if I happened to be wearing a clan tartan when that clan was present and they asked me about it, they are usually happy ("honored" is slightly too strong a word here) that I liked their tartan enough to wear it even without a clan association.

Some people are of the opinion that you may only wear the tartan of your Father's line. People at the other end of the spectrum will wear whatever tartan they like, regardless of name. Others fall somewhere in between and wear any tartan they can claim any kind of association with, whether clan, service or universal. Some wear their immediate family's (mother OR father) tartan(s).

Bottom line... YOU have to be comfortable with the decision.

Last $.02...

Generally, people are just happy to see a guy in a kilt, no matter what tartan he's wearing.

[seanachie]

I have worn them to many gatherings where there were clan societies present (highland games, Burns Suppers, etc) and have only had positive comments. Actually, if I happened to be wearing a clan tartan when that clan was present and they asked me about it, they are usually happy ("honored" is slightly too strong a word here) that I liked their tartan enough to wear it even without a clan association.

I would just piggyback on Rocky's comments. My ancestry is Irish (and I still have family there) not Scottish, so more than once I have had a proud Scot approach me whilst I was kilted and ask me if I were a Scot or a question in that vein. (of course I often wear my saffron or solid green) When I have replied no and then follow up with some comments on explaining my enjoying the kilt I have never been chided or taken to task. I have only one kilt that is a clan tartan, it is a MacPherson. I got this sort of by accident when I had placed an order for a different tartan that was not available from the mill and the MacPherson was. I was a little awkward at first, but I really llike the colors of the tartan and have made an effort to read up on the clan history. I, too, pay attention to being respectful and never wear the kilt in a way that I believe could be deemed inappropriate or cause offense. Admitedly I would have some level of reservation picking a clan tartan for a new kilt, as there are so many wonderful universal tartans, my Isle of Skye is a real favorite. But I am not going to going around worrying about somebody getting upset with me...I am comfortable knowing I enjoy wearing the kilt and do it in a positve way.

[Zardoz]

While I'm from the "wear what you want" camp, I agree that you should know a little about the tartan in question's history etc, so you can have a better response than "I liked the colors" to any questions.

From a slightly different angle, I think you can have a pretty good variety of tartans and colorways without worrying about the family tartan thing, I have 11 kilts, (9 tartans 2 soilds) and none of them are 'family' tartans.