Hello from Michigan

**bryanbott** · 2nd July 17, 08:52 PM

i am a new member here from south-east Michigan. I am not a Scot by birth, but married a Stewart. My daughter tells me that I'm not allowed to claim the clan, but she can. I am not sure that she is correct in that.

I got interested in this site after visiting Scotland this past May. I fell in love with the kilt and thought I should try one out. I didn't have room to pack one home on this visit, but figured I could buy/make one when I got home. I will try it out later on this month--I am sure I will have tons of questions as I get ready to make one.

Thanks in advance for all of your help.

**Tarheel** · 3rd July 17, 04:48 AM

Well met Bryan. You pose an age old situation that differs with each circumstance of personal clan identification. I was born to the clan Colquhoun, I married (last wife) a woman that belonged to the Japanese Samurai family Ikemori. I became an allegiant to her family and her elders accepted me into their family. I was granted to the right to wear that family (male image) crest.

That does not diminish my birth right or heritage. Have your daughter look up the definition of allegiant and decide if you are able to defend a claim for her honor, protection, trust, etc.; thus wear the Stewart tartan.

These are my thoughts on the subject. Glad to have you with us.

**Father Bill** · 3rd July 17, 05:39 AM

Welcome to the "Great Rabble"!

My understanding is that normally if you marry into the clan... you're in.

**Tomak** · 3rd July 17, 07:22 AM

Hello and welcome from Southern California.

**LKM** · 3rd July 17, 07:48 AM

I think your daughter might have confused English heraldry laws with the Scottish clan system. In English heraldry the arms, badges, and crests are either inherited from a father or a new grant of arms. Things are a little different in Scotland as the "clan" badge is actually a colorless variation of the crest of the clan chief. There are many ways that someone could be part of a Scottish clan. Birth is best known yet many people have joined clans in history when they were not born into a clan. At various times in history I think that many people have chosen the clan of their wife as a clan to be a part of.

Many Stewart tartans are also considered universal. I could be wrong on the history yet as I understand this was declared as a tartan all people from the UK could use by an English queen who claimed the crown through the Scottish Stewart family as James I of England was James VI of Scotland and head of the Stewart family. There is currently no law that says what tartan you can or can't wear. If you like Stewart, fill free to wear Stewart. If you would rather go with a non-clan tartan, that is also an option.

**Theowulf** · 3rd July 17, 08:37 AM

Though I'm currently working and living in New Jersey...

As another person not of Scottish descent, I certainly hope no one takes my interest amiss; I tend to think I'm showing appreciation for the history of the country and its people.

Have you discovered the Highland games in Livonia? They're the first weekend of August. Ceilidh Friday night, which is basically a chance to eat and listen to all the bands in this case; and games/fair all day Saturday.

Cheers!

**Kiltedjohn** · 3rd July 17, 09:54 AM

Welcome from a Scotsman living in the English midlands. Hope you get your kilt soon - enjoy wearing it!

**Stoff** · 3rd July 17, 11:58 AM

Welcome from the "Old North State" (NC). I have traveled to Michigan on several occasions and wish I could go more often, My beautiful bride is from Fowlerville, MI.

Stoff