Clan vs. non-clan tartan

[kiltedjoss]

My grandmother was part of a clan and obviously several tartans. My last name has, as I understand, no clan affiliation. It does however have a tartan designed and registered in the late 1900s. How would it be perceived by those traditionalists in Scotland if I owned a kilt of each tartan and enjoyed them both at various times? Thx.

[Paul Henry]

Most "clan" tartans are not actually all that old, infact the majority of them date from the mid 19th century,often simply picked from a catalogue, only a few before then. The tartan has become a symbol of the clans mainly through use, rather than any great historical significance, the "name" is the important thing rather than the colour/threadcount etc, although today many tartans are designed with a special meaning.

Some Scottish kilt wearers adhere to only wearing one family /clan tartan, others are more relaxed about such things,ultimately it is up to you. I have a rich Scottish background of forebears, and I have chosen to wear some of their tartans, and feel that I am honouring and remembering them, and feel no hesitation in doing so.

A few, but not all, people in Scotland might think it odd to wear different tartans, and possibly that you have more money than sense!

Whatever tartan or tartans you wear it is a good idea to do a little research about their history, as it is likely you might be asked which one it is, but enjoy wearing it, that is a key element!

[Chas]

Hello and welcome,

If you read through the Scottish Register of Tartans http://www.tartanregister.gov.uk/ you will find that the vast majority of 'clan' tartans were only designed after the 1960's. There are some clans which have no tartan or are in the process of designing one.

That being said, the majority of people can only recognise half a dozen tartans: their own, their own hunting, their own dress, Royal Stewart, Black Watch and then maybe some of the Regimental tartans and possibly a District tartan or maybe one from their university.

There are over 7,000 different tartans and they can all be woven in modern, muted, ancient and reproduction pallets. So, possibly 28,000 tartans - no one can remember that many.

The general perceived wisdom is that as long as it is woollen, a twill weave, and constructed as a traditionally made kilt, no one will know or care.

Wear your kilts, choose good, quality accessories and you will be OK.

Oh, and you might want to pop over to the "Kilt Board Newbie" section and introduce your self.

Regards

Chas

[Laird_M]

Aside from the odd member of the Kilt Police, (odd in more ways than one..), you shouldn't have any problems, so wear with pride.

[Grizzly]

Hi and welcome, Like you my surname does not have any Clan affiliation so my only recourse is to adopt the clan of my mothers surname or to wear a general or district tartan to which I have an affinity.
However as many will tell you, with just one or two exceptions you can wear whatever tartan you like although out of respect you should learn the history of the tartan and have a ready answer when questioned why you are wearing so and so tartan.

As Paul and Chas have stated above most people havent got a clue identifying different tartans and the Sobieski Stuarts Vestiarium Scoticum is treated with a certain amount of scepticism. Our own legend of the kilted world Hamish Bicknell has a collection of over 100 kilts and I am sure wears each one with pride and panache.

So wear whatever you feel comfortable with. Wear it with pride and a hearty welcome from an Anglo-Welsh man from the south of the uk.

[J_Mimbs]

Welcome to the boards. Others have already passed on wisdom, I just wanted to stop and say Hi. So, Hi!

[figheadair]

If you read through the Scottish Register of Tartans http://www.tartanregister.gov.uk/ you will find that the vast majority of 'clan' tartans were only designed after the 1960's. There are some clans which have no tartan or are in the process of designing one.

I can't find that statement. Perhaps I doin't delve far enough but anyway, it's wrong. Delete 1960's: Insert 1800.