Choice of Tartan

[gealach]

I'd like to request your advice on the coice of my next tartan. I already have a Black Watch kilt and am looking towards Royal Stewart now. But...

Keeping in mind that i have no genealogical connections to Scotland and therefore to any tartan whatsoever, could I walk around in the highlands, wearing a Royal Stewart, without offending anyone (except THAT guy of course, because there's always THAT guy)?

[Kiltem in NM]

The only reason I know this, is because I read it today. It is considered acceptable to wear Stewart Black, or Stewart Hunting, but only acceptable to wear Stewart Royal, if you have permission from The Queen. It is her personal tartan! In this case, THAT guy, just may happen to be Queen Elizabeth II.

[FossilHunter]

Interesting article on Stewart tartans here.

[Father Bill]

Interesting article on Stewart tartans here.

...and by one of XMarks’ distinguished members.

[Bruce Scott]

Interesting article on Stewart tartans here.

And it tells us:

"Opinions regarding the proper use of [the Royal Stewart tartan] run strong! Some are of the opinion that its use should be restricted only to the Royal Family, period. Others believe that, just as a clansman wears the tartan of his chief, any subject of the British Crown can wear the Royal tartan. This would make it a de facto generic tartan. I know one gentleman who firmly believes that only men in the Royal Family can wear this tartan in a kilt, but that it is quite permissible for the general public to wear it in any other form.

The reality is that even if use of the tartan were at one time meant to be restricted, it certainly isn’t so now. The Royal Stewart tartan is now a common sight in the kilt hire industry, in children’s Scottish attire, men’s flannel shirts, pajamas, wrapping paper, greeting cards, and shortbread tins! Its widespread use has turned it into a universal tartan in practice, if not intent."

[Liam]

...and by one of XMarks’ distinguished members.

I miss Matt’s input here. He was a valued contributor.

[Liam]

My favourite of the Stewart tartan is the ‘Hunting’.
Cheers!

[FossilHunter]

I miss Matt’s input here. He was a valued contributor.

would it be impolite to ask why he doesn't post any more?

I notice from past threads that several prolific (and knowledgeable) posters seem to have vanished in the last couple years.

[Steve Ashton]

The simple fact is that Matt Newsome's life took a different path. He left the Scottish Tartans Museum in Franklin NC. It was a temporary job in his mind anyway. Matt is now working full time with his church.

I spent a few wonderful days with Matt at one of our Kilt Kamps. He is a very interesting guy. To Matt if you get a job called Curator, Scottish Tartans Museum, you better know your stuff. So just like everything else he does Matt jumped in with both feet and a passion.

But his first loves and duties were to his wife, family and his church. In that order. He had an opportunity to take a full time position with the church so jumped into that with the same passion that he gave to the kilt world.

[FossilHunter]

The simple fact is that Matt Newsome's life took a different path. He left the Scottish Tartans Museum in Franklin NC. It was a temporary job in his mind anyway. Matt is now working full time with his church.

I spent a few wonderful days with Matt at one of our Kilt Kamps. He is a very interesting guy. To Matt if you get a job called Curator, Scottish Tartans Museum, you better know your stuff. So just like everything else he does Matt jumped in with both feet and a passion.

But his first loves and duties were to his wife, family and his church. In that order. He had an opportunity to take a full time position with the church so jumped into that with the same passion that he gave to the kilt world.

Good for him. I'm glad it was something positive rather than a tragedy of some kind. His Albanach blog is full of great information.

Thank you for the explanation.