The right to wear a clan tartan

[Streetcar]

One of the themes that keeps coming up on these boards is the subject of clan tartans, and the right to wear one. I consider myself reasonably educated on the history of the tartan (thanks, in no small part, to members of this group!) as well as my own readings on the subject.
I understand that tartans were not “officially associated” with specific clans until the late 18th century, after the Highland Clearances. I know that many people feel that it is acceptable to wear any tartan, provided you have at least a little knowledge of that clan’s history.

However, I know there are also quite a few who feel you should not wear a tartan unless you have a direct, “legitimate” lineage to the clan, through the father’s (not the mother’s) bloodlines.

So for those of you with that direct lineage, what is clan affiliation like today? Is there a service done to/for the clan chieftain? What does the clan do for its members? How is wearing the clan tartan different for a “clan member” than it is for someone else? If I were to swear allegiance to a clan chief, what would that gain me? What would my obligations be to the clan?

I pose this question with the utmost respect, and a desire to understand the …fire… that fuels the concept of proprietarial tartans.

[macwilkin]

Moved thread to "heraldry & tartans" section. Please post all tartan-related threads here.

In answer to your question, my "service" to my Chief, Sir Alistair Gordon Cumming, is to represent him and the clan society as the Vice-President and Midwest Commissioner at games, gatherings, etc. and thereby promote my clan's history. What benefit do I get? Being part of what I consider to be a "worthy cause", as I am a historian, and love to tell others about history, as well as Scottish heritage and culture.

Most clan societies provide their members with a newsletter, and in some cases, genealogical databases and information, compiled from the members by a clan genealogist. You always have a place to "hang out" at the games if your clan has a tent. Other clan societies have "clan heritage centers" and/or museums, and still others host international gatherings in Scotland, the US and Canada. Other clans are active in various charitable causes; the Buchanan Society, established in the early 19th century in Scotland, was orginally a charitable group, much like the early St. Andrew's Societies were.

Hope this helps.

Cheers,

Todd

One of the themes that keeps coming up on these boards is the subject of clan tartans, and the right to wear one. I consider myself reasonably educated on the history of the tartan (thanks, in no small part, to members of this group!) as well as my own readings on the subject.
I understand that tartans were not “officially associated” with specific clans until the late 18th century, after the Highland Clearances. I know that many people feel that it is acceptable to wear any tartan, provided you have at least a little knowledge of that clan’s history.

However, I know there are also quite a few who feel you should not wear a tartan unless you have a direct, “legitimate” lineage to the clan, through the father’s (not the mother’s) bloodlines.

So for those of you with that direct lineage, what is clan affiliation like today? Is there a service done to/for the clan chieftain? What does the clan do for its members? How is wearing the clan tartan different for a “clan member” than it is for someone else? If I were to swear allegiance to a clan chief, what would that gain me? What would my obligations be to the clan?

I pose this question is posed with the utmost respect, and a desire to understand the …fire… that fuels the concept of proprietarial tartans.

[Caradoc]

However, I know there are also quite a few who feel you should not wear a tartan unless you have a direct, “legitimate” lineage to the clan, through the father’s (not the mother’s) bloodlines.

Why not? Early Celtic and pre-Celtic culture supposedly tracked matrilinear descent - which makes sense, because even if you don't know who someone's father is, it's a pretty safe bet that their mother is known as the person who gave birth to them.

[setboy]

However, I know there are also quite a few who feel you should not wear a tartan unless you have a direct, “legitimate” lineage to the clan, through the father’s (not the mother’s) bloodlines.

I heard that it's really the mother’s bloodline you want to use.
but i don't know alot about these things, i could be way off
anyone know for sure?



Raphael

[Macman]

My last name is McIntosh, and I wear the clan tartans. I also wear several "universal" tartans, but not those of other clans. There are lots of other clan tartans in my family tree, but I just can't imagine feeling as comfortable in them as my own.
I certainly have no problem with people wearing clan tartans that they have a connection to, or not, but for me personally, I will only wear my own. Maybe I'll change my mind over time.
As far as formal connection to the actual clan and chief goes, I have virtually none. I was a member of the North American society for a while, but not any more. Maybe I'll have to revive that!

[Colin]

I have a link to the Clan Mackenzie through my mother and her family. I was always closer to the MacKenzie side of the family and wear their tartan with great pride. I am a member of the Clan MacKenzie Society of Canada. I don't have to do anything for the clan, and my membership fees only include a newsletter. My $20/year membership fee goes to a charitable organization (Clan Mackenzie Society of the Americas) which has been set up with all monies raised going to repairing the ancient family home Castle Leod.

As for legitimate lineage claims for a tartan....I wear both my mother's and my father's tartans. If someone wants to say I am less of a MacKenzie than my cousin that kept the name, I dare you to say it to my face. I know where the majority of my character, faults, and temperment came from. Wear your mother's and your father's tartans proudly. My clan society had not issue with it, so why should others?

For me I need to feel a connection to a tartan. I am Canadian, so I will wear the Maple Leaf tartan as well as the Manitoba and the BC tartans. MacKenzie, Wood, Watson, Buchanan, MacKay, Stewart, and a few others are family names, so I will wear them. I know a few great friends with links to the MacDonalds, so I would wear that tartan for them, etc, etc, etc. PFor me, a connection is good enough for me. I won't wear a tartan just because it looks nice, but that is just me.

[Cawdorian]

Most of my Scottish heritage comes through both of my grandmothers. For that I am grateful, it gives me a large selction of tartans to which I have a family connection.

I have been wearing a districrt tartan tank to honor three of those family connections. The tank I have on order is a Lamont tartan, that connection comes from my dad's mother's family.

BTW there are several historical examples of titles being passed on in Scotland through the female side of the family because there was no male heir.

[smaughazard]

I'm not only a dues-paying member of Clan Kincaid, I'm also the designated webmaster for the official site that we're constructing. We have a newsletter, a seletion of clan-themed products available, and the best-looking clan chief in Scotland! Along with the clan tent at games, we represent in the Parade of Tartans at games, and the clan periodically sponsors trips to Scotland, reunions, etc.

[Streetcar]

So I guess what I'm getting here is (based wholly on the replies thus far) is most of what clans do today is based on preservation of the history and education of others to that history.
Noble purposes, certainly.

But what I'm getting at is this:
Take an indivdual who does not have a so-called "blood line lineage" to a particular clan. That person (for whatever reason) learns about the clan and maybe goes so far to contact the chief of the clan, asking for admission - or at least "permission" to wear that clan's tartan. (After all, even the ancient clans adopted members from different backgrounds.)

If the purpose of the modern clan deals with preservation of history, would there be any reason for the chief to deny the request? Even without the chief's "permission," the kilt is being worn knowledgebly and with respect to the associated clan.

Given that, I'm trying to understand how someone could say "Your daddy's name wasn't McNugget, so you don't have any right to that tartan!"

Again, I mean no disrespect to anyone on this board. But it seems to be a sentiment I occasionally see from some of our UK brethren, and I'm just trying to better understand it.

[beloitpiper]

My grandfather is Long and my grandmother's maiden name was Holmes. Through genealogy, I found that my grandmother's side was, in fact, Home, making her part of Clan Home. My grandfather's side used to be Laing (changed during the famine to sound English to avoid persecution) and was under the House of Gordon.

I am proud to be a Gordon. Being a member, I represent the Clan and serve Alastair Granville Gordon, Earl of Aboyne. They offer genealogy, clan tent at games and whatnot, and other services.

...plus Castle Huntly is just cool.