Can I wear my wife's family too?

[PEEDYC]

Quote from Fedgunner : "I will wear it to flatter my wife, and to " in your face" the anti-Campbell sentiment in my area." Why the anti-Campbell sentiment? If it relates to that Glencoe incident some time back then I would tell them the true facts of the matter. The only Campbell to be involved was a drunken old man who was chosen to lead the English troops as a scapegoat. At the age of 60 he had only reached the rank of Captain.

I wear my Campbell tartans with pride despite having what is believed to be a French name. I have many Campbells in my line.

[Jock Scot]

Quote from Fedgunner : "I will wear it to flatter my wife, and to " in your face" the anti-Campbell sentiment in my area." Why the anti-Campbell sentiment? If it relates to that Glencoe incident some time back then I would tell them the true facts of the matter. The only Campbell to be involved was a drunken old man who was chosen to lead the English troops as a scapegoat. At the age of 60 he had only reached the rank of Captain.

I wear my Campbell tartans with pride despite having what is believed to be a French name. I have many Campbells in my line.

Its interesting that this "Campbell thing" seems to be perpetuated by those outwith the UK in general and Highland Scotland in particular, whilst the modern day locals have really no issues over the past troubles.

It is true that the assorted Clan feuds and atrocities of officialdom that litter Scottish history of which Glencoe was but one, are not forgotten and rightly so, but they are not a day to day issue these days. Something that perhaps others from around this world of ours ought to take note of and perhaps emulate.

[Morris at Heathfield]

The only Campbell to be involved was a drunken old man who was chosen to lead the English troops as a scapegoat. At the age of 60 he had only reached the rank of Captain.

The massacre was carried out by the 1st and 2nd companies of the Earl of Argyll's Regiment of Foot, raised in 1689. The regiment was the first regular regiment of Highlanders in the British army. A roll call for the 2nd company, taken only a few months before the massacre, can be seen on Wikipedia, but unfortunately no source is given for it. If the roll call can be trusted, however, of 66 soldiers 9 bore the Campbell surname: Glenlyon, a corporal, and seven privates. The junior officers mostly bore Lowland surnames, while the rest of the men bore Highland surnames. At any rate, it is known that the regiment was raised from the men of Argyll.

I don't know what motives led most of the men to enlist, but Glenlyon's motives are well known: financial difficulties brought on by his alcoholism, gambling, unwise management of his money, and the depredations of the men of Glengarry and Glencoe on his estate in 1689. Nevertheless, I see no reason to suspect revenge as one of Glenlyon's motives for conducting the massacre. All of the men were fairly new soldiers—at least, of the regular army—and were acting under orders from King William, received the day before the massacre. I tend to see the massacre as a sort of trial run—one that served as a very negative example—in an uneasy transition of Highlanders from clan warriors to soldiers in regular regiments of the British Army. In light of that, I find it interesting to compare the military careers of Glenlyon's Jacobite son and Hanoverian grandson.

To get back on topic, I think it's a nice gesture to wear your wife's family's tartan. That said, from my reading of Scottish history, maybe it's not such a good idea. Just because you and your wife may get along doesn't mean that her family doesn't want to kill you (and you them).

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

I agree with Jock 100%-- it seems to me a matter of trying to be more Scottish than the Scots. Now that I live in America I find the same sort of thing here in the South-- families that were here during the Civil War have not forgotten what happened, but neither do they fuss over it. Unfortunately the same can not always be said about those who have only been here for a generation-- or less.

In North America most "avid" Scots are people who have only just discovered their heritage; few have the long standing traditions of Sandy, or one or two others on this Forum, whereby they grew up in their heritage. As a result they join "Clan McAvid" and latch on to a lot of romantic-- if that's the word-- misconceptions about Scotland, especially when it comes to clan feuds or the Jacobite Rebellion.

So, to all you "McAvids" out there, I have this to say: Grow Up! If you want to be upset at a Campbell, fine-- be upset if Mr. Campbell's dog craps on your lawn, not over something you "think" happened 300 years ago! The same with the Jacobite Rebellion and the "circle" of McAdvids that get stuck on this like flies on fly paper: Get over it. Your guy lost. You wanna blame some body, blame Bonnie Prince Charlie and the French. But stop all this clan feud stuff, okay?

'Cause it really makes you look foolish.

MoR
(whose ancestor survived at Drumossie Moor, and whose Godfather's ancestor led Pearson's Horse at the same battle)

[Burly Brute]

I agree with Jock 100%-- it seems to me a matter of trying to be more Scottish than the Scots. Now that I live in America I find the same sort of thing here in the South-- families that were here during the Civil War have not forgotten what happened, but neither do they fuss over it. Unfortunately the same can not always be said about those who have only been here for a generation-- or less.

In North America most "avid" Scots are people who have only just discovered their heritage; few have the long standing traditions of Sandy, or one or two others on this Forum, whereby they grew up in their heritage. As a result they join "Clan McAvid" and latch on to a lot of romantic-- if that's the word-- misconceptions about Scotland, especially when it comes to clan feuds or the Jacobite Rebellion.

So, to all you "McAvids" out there, I have this to say: Grow Up! If you want to be upset at a Campbell, fine-- be upset if Mr. Campbell's dog craps on your lawn, not over something you "think" happened 300 years ago! The same with the Jacobite Rebellion and the "circle" of McAdvids that get stuck on this like flies on fly paper: Get over it. Your guy lost. You wanna blame some body, blame Bonnie Prince Charlie and the French. But stop all this clan feud stuff, okay?

'Cause it really makes you look foolish.

MoR
(whose ancestor survived at Drumossie Moor, and whose Godfather's ancestor led Pearson's Horse at the same battle)

But then who would fund all the societies that spring up all over the place?
I think some of the history needs to be romanticized, otherwise it would be really boring for the majority of those involved. I personally love sitting down and reading the books that I can get a hold of, but some like to just throw on a piece of fabric and down some brew. There really is a place, I believe, for both.

Don’t get me wrong, I know what you mean MoR. However, with all due respect, I think in some cases we might be throwing the baby out with the bath water.

Hopefully this makes sense, just my two cents. (I’m a poet and didn’t know it)
-BB

[xman]

Well now listen, I like to take a poke at the Campbells now and then. Really, who doesn't. It's all in jest however. I let them take a poke right back and we share a laugh and a drink more often than not. That's all that's really going on. The rest is just talking about history.

Sláinte E'en ye Campbells.

[Detroitpete]

I agree with Jock 100%-- it seems to me a matter of trying to be more Scottish than the Scots. Now that I live in America I find the same sort of thing here in the South-- families that were here during the Civil War have not forgotten what happened, but neither do they fuss over it. Unfortunately the same can not always be said about those who have only been here for a generation-- or less.

In North America most "avid" Scots are people who have only just discovered their heritage; few have the long standing traditions of Sandy, or one or two others on this Forum, whereby they grew up in their heritage. As a result they join "Clan McAvid" and latch on to a lot of romantic-- if that's the word-- misconceptions about Scotland, especially when it comes to clan feuds or the Jacobite Rebellion.

So, to all you "McAvids" out there, I have this to say: Grow Up! If you want to be upset at a Campbell, fine-- be upset if Mr. Campbell's dog craps on your lawn, not over something you "think" happened 300 years ago! The same with the Jacobite Rebellion and the "circle" of McAdvids that get stuck on this like flies on fly paper: Get over it. Your guy lost. You wanna blame some body, blame Bonnie Prince Charlie and the French. But stop all this clan feud stuff, okay?

'Cause it really makes you look foolish.

MoR
(whose ancestor survived at Drumossie Moor, and whose Godfather's ancestor led Pearson's Horse at the same battle)

Hmmmm....Perhaps the issues regarding the MacLarens and MacGregors with respect to "Rob Roy's" grave have been settled then?

If one is of Scottish ancestry then how could they possibly be considered as attempting to be "more Scottish than the Scots"? Aren't they just as Scot as the 'Scots'?

Perhaps these questions are beyond my ability to understand them--I'm absolutely OK with that. With the number of things one can worry or be concerned about today, I'm not sure these types of issues crop up all that too often for me.

Just my 2 bits--and NOT at all suggesting I'm right or that others should do as I do:

I have an 'equal' ancestral link to both MacLaren and Bruce. Should I flip a coin? Nope--I volunteer for the Clan MacLaren Association of North America. BUT that doesn't keep me from wearing Bruce tartan when I can find it--and I'm in the process of getting a Bruce tartan kilt. I also made and registered a tartan in honor of my Grandfather and our surname. Could be considered an appropriate display of affection--or complete blasphemy depending on whom one asks. I just don't ask.

Yes, I like many others am a bit of a Celtic mutt. So be it. I could choose to wear District tartans and even a few Irish tartans as well. My mother was born in Sicily--you know, they have an Italian tartan too? I served in the US Navy--and boy, I feel like I'm showing my reginmental colors when wearing the Edzell tartan--especially since I served as a CT, with our connection to Edzell.

Once my paternal forefathers came here from Balquidder, they dug their roots into the soil of West Virgina for generations. I LOVE that tartan. Near the town that came up around my ancestor's farms--sits a school named for my G-G-G Grandfather. Other things are named for my family in that area such as a creek and a cemetery. Perhaps some would say-"Aye, buy ya don't live in WV, it would be improper for you to wear that tartan". I would probably get a kilt made from that beautiful tartan and wear it as I lay flowers at the monument outside of that small town that stands 8 feet tall and recounts 6 generations of my family.

This is going a LONG way around the bend to say, I'll wear what I wear, sir...with my own reasons and most likely not give a fig what another might see as "proper". Perhaps that makes be a dull-witted Yank. So be it.

My wife has very close ties to Adams. Ya' know--that is a lovely tartan as well. Perhaps I should show her that I'm just as proud of her family as I am my own?

Yep--I must just be foolish. (I actually think if they want to end all the bikkering over Rob, they should dig the lad up and do the DNA test)

[Jock Scot]

If one is of Scottish ancestry then how could they possibly be considered as attempting to be "more Scottish than the Scots"? Aren't they just as Scot as the 'Scots'?

I am very sorry, but, no they are not. They are American/Australian/French/Russian/Canadian/English/whatevers with Scots roots.

I say this with the greatest of respect to all and mean absolutely no offence whatsoever.

[Detroitpete]

I am very sorry, but, no they are not. They are American/Australian/French/Russian/Canadian/English/whatevers with Scots roots.

I say this with the greatest of respect to all and mean absolutely no offence whatsoever.

No offense taken whatesoever, sir. Good to have a place to exchange thoughts and opinions. I hope my posting above is seen in the same manner--no offense meant.

[Jock Scot]

No offense taken whatesoever, sir. Good to have a place to exchange thoughts and opinions. I hope my posting above is seen in the same manner--no offense meant.

No offence taken whatsoever, my dear fellow, I can assure you.