Clans

[Rob Wright]

Well, so far I'm sticking with my clan connection, Douglas, but the next wool kilt I purchase will be a Maclean Hunting, there really isn't that many non-Douglas tartans that I like.
I also have Macbride in my family but I need to do a little more research to see which clan they are connected with.

Rob Wright

[Jerry]

Speaking for myself, I prefer wearing only the tartans tartans to which I am entitled either as a sept, or direct family cinnection. I also don't mind wearing generic tartans such as scottish national or black watch. My fathers family, although from County Tyrone, Nothern Ireland are a sept of clan MacNeil. My mother's family are Gordons. So, I can feel comfortable wearing a MacNeil of Barra Tartan, or any of the Gordon tartans.. I can also wear the Ulster or County Tyrone tartans. Having said all of that, I emailed the websites of Clan MacNeil and the house of Gordon to ask if I was entitled to wear those tartans. The answer was yes, but both websites also said that it is acceptable for anyone to wear whichever tartan they choose. Furthermore, The House of Goordod, Virginia chapter lists those eligible to join The House of Gordon and wear the Gordon Tartans thus:

1 All persons bearing the name Gordon
2All persons bearing the names of a sept of the Gordons
3Descendants of the Gordons, or their septmen
4 Those who served in the Gordon Highlandersand their families
5Supporters of the cheif including those who wear the Gordon tartan with his permission
6 It also says anyone who is willing to swear allegence to the cheif.
1

[Rubber Soul]

This might not be what you're getting at, Rob, but here's a link for MacBride tartan...

http://www.destinationscotland.com/t...s/macbride.gif

[swat88eighty]

To: Rubbersoul
What kind of kilt is that you are wearing in your gallery? It's a mighty fine looking garment you got there!
-Jonathan

[Rubber Soul]

MacDougal. Got it for £200 in Glasgow brand new... I think I got quite a bargain on it

[swat88eighty]

Just wondering, who likes my avatar? I think it is great. Not only does it have the UK flag, the way it SHOULD be! But it has a kilted man! What a great combination. FREEDOM!

[Rob Wright]

Thanks Dylan, so far myresearch shows the Macbrides being connected to the MacDonald's. I'm waiting for an aunt to send me copies of the two geneology books she has done specifically concerning the lines of the Douglas' and MacBrides that I am associated with.

Rob Wright

[Rubber Soul]

Sounds quite interesting!

I found a really interesting site about different names that are under certain clans, I'll post the link here if anyones interested...

http://www.ewingscarpets.co.uk/clan_tartan.htm

[macwilkin]

Fellows,

This is taken from an article by Matthew Newsome, curator of the Scottish Tartans Museum in Franklin, North Carolina:

So what is there to consider when buying your first kilt? The first question that is the most essential is what tartan do you want to wear. Individual tartan patterns today typically have a great deal of significance. Now, it was not always so. Up until the industrialization of the tartan weaving industry and the romanticisation of everything Scottish in the nineteenth century, tartans did not have names, for the most part, and those that did were typically worn without much thought as to what it might be called in the tartan shop. People wore tartans they liked. Period. And you can feel free to do the same today. In fact, it's probably the most traditional thing you can do.

That being said, time does not stand still. Today, the tradition has evolved to the point where tartans are representative and symbolic. Tartans that represent clans are the most familiar, but tartans can also represent families, cities, states, events, businesses, individuals, occupations, you name it. When you wear a particular tartan, you are identifying yourself with whatever that tartan represents. Most people choose to wear a tartan that has some connection with their heritage. But the choice of which tartan to wear is entirely personal. There are no "requirements" to wear a tartan, no "authorizations" needed. You simply pick the tartan you want to wear, whatever your reason.

Most people, no doubt, choose to wear a tartan associated with their family. Typically, if the actual surname you bear has a tartan affiliated with it, this is the first choice. However, there is nothing wrong with wearing a tartan from your mother's side of the family, or your great-great grandmother, for that matter. Maybe you like that side of the family better and wish to honor them by wearing their tartan. Maybe you find your father's tartan unattractive. Maybe one tartan is simply more easily available than the other. There could be many reasons to consider, but it is entirely up to you.

I am very big believer in the clan system as well as the concept of the "district" tartan being more historically authentic. Some of you have already listed the benefits of membership, such as genealogical assistance, camraderie and espirt de corps among those with a genealogical connection, etc. All good things to consider. You will meet "kindred spirits" in clan societies and your local St. Andrew's Societies.

Cheers,

T.

[Kiltedmusiclover]

Todd is spot on with his post.
(to the new guys: you'll find his posts are
a wealth of information)
I am a member of Clan Wallace.
The clan is really open to anyone as you can see from this quote
on our home page:

"Membership in the Clan Wallace Society is extended to the Clan and Family of Wallace (various spellings), those related to them by blood, or by marriage, and to anyone else having an interest in the purposes of the Society, which are:
Educational, with emphasis on the history of Scotland, it's public figures, such as Sir William Wallace, the National Hero of Scotland who suffered martydom for his country in 1305, it's Clans and the heritage and achievements of those of Scottish decent."

Being a member comes is handy at highland games where
you clan is participating.
The clan tent is usually a great place to fellowship with others of your clan.
A place to pull up a seat and get out of sun.
Often they will offer you food and drink as well.
Some clans may have two tents; one for the clan materials and another one for fellowship and to watch the games.