Rethinking the Black Watch Tartan

[sharpdressedscot]

None of my Scots connections are recent, but they are all the more precious for that.

That's all that really counts.

[Coemgen]

Well, as I say whenever anyone asks me about my "heritage":

“I'm American by birth, Irish* by blood, and Scottish by the grace of God!”

*Well, if you want to get technical, I'm Irish, German, English, Croat, Russian, Swiss, and Alsace French by blood. But that's just splitting hairs.

[slohairt]

I have an old 1960s Canadian Army Black Watch tank that I crack out every once in awhile. I like it a lot: warm, sturdy, and virtually bulletproof! A very simple and understated tartan.

[Mr. MacDougall]

I have an old 1960s Canadian Army Black Watch tank that I crack out every once in awhile.

I'll confess that I'm seriously considering one of those WPG reproduction milspec kilts... I'm just waffling between the Seaforth and the Black Watch.

[Cawdorian]

I have a Scottish Turner in my ancestry, which makes me a you-know-what.

You're right Jack, that makes you a Lamont!

The Lamont tartan is the Black Watch tartan with a white line added.

I am a descendant of a Lamont/Campbell marriage who ended up marrying a lassie from Clan Donald.

[Clockwork John]

I have an old 1960s Canadian Army Black Watch tank that I crack out every once in awhile. I like it a lot: warm, sturdy, and virtually bulletproof! A very simple and understated tartan.

I've got one of those too... I think mine was made in '57, but I'd have to look to be sure.

By far, my favorite kilt, but I don't get to wear it too much down here in sunny SoCal.

[Galician]

No clue about how my five great grandfather got the name Ludovic. At first thought it was French or Viking...then found it means a person who helps the padre with services and its not an uncommon name in Scotland.

Actually, Ron, it is an old form, derived from Latin, for Louis/Lewis (in German, Ludwig). How did you get the church connection? Btw, I'm assuming that what you are referring to is the post of sexton.

[LadyGriffin]

I have a question, or statement or whatever...

My Beloved WAS in the Blackwatch regiment for a time, and does not react well when he sees people wearing the Blackwatch tartan. He EARNED his, and when someone wears it casually, usually imporperly, it is hard for him.

Any suggestions you all can give me for helping him handle this?

Also, how did a regimental tartan endup being one of the most seen tartans sold in the US? Who sold the "rights" to it? Just curiousity on my part.

Julie

[Jock Scot]

I have a question, or statement or whatever...

My Beloved WAS in the Blackwatch regiment for a time, and does not react well when he sees people wearing the Blackwatch tartan. He EARNED his, and when someone wears it casually, usually imporperly, it is hard for him.

Any suggestions you all can give me for helping him handle this?

Also, how did a regimental tartan endup being one of the most seen tartans sold in the US? Who sold the "rights" to it? Just curiousity on my part.

Julie

What I am going to say may not help much.I can see where your "beloved" is coming from,he earned the right to wear the Black Watch(ahem,two words)and it must be very hard for him to see acres of the stuff being worn by all and sundry.I am afraid there is nothing that can be done about it, as any one is allowed to wear it and that's that.Might I suggest that he takes the moral high ground,HE EARNED HIS right to wear the Black Watch, few have.

After 60 something years of wearing the kilt I have still not got used to seeing others wearing it incorrectly.The solution?Smile sweetly and swear under your breath!

I am not sure that any one has rights to the Black Watch tartan,perhaps in years past just the Regiment but as the tartan is called "universal",I think it was meant to mean "Government Universal",but every one has just grabbed it.You can see why though,it is a beautiful tartan.

[Riverkilt]

Black Watch may even be made into more garments and products than Royal Stewart. You can buy robes, jammies, boxer shorts, skirts, neck ties, doggie beds, et.al. in Black Watch tartan.

With so many mills making so many different fabrics in the Black Watch tartan and so many cut and sew factories buying the mill cloth to make the array of Black Watch tartan products, his expectation that only the regiment would wear that tartan seems a bit unrealistic at this point.

A cognitive behavioral therapist would suggest he change is way of looking at the situation. Instead of seeing those wearing the tartan as usurpers without the right, think of them as folks honoring the regiment with their choice of tartan.

And, the part of the Serenity Prayer that says, "Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change." seems fitting.

Ron