Deciding to stick with one clan

[hkjrb623]

I'm actually deciding to stick with one clan and one only. My last name, Belk, is an adopted one. My father is second generation American from Clan Macdonald of Keppoch. Same with my mother except she is a MacLean. I was raised by first generation American House of Gordon member with the surname Atkins. She was my great grandmother. By more traditional views shouldn't this make me go H.O.G. instead of the direct paternal clan? I know there are no strict rules on this anymore, but I would prefer to do this the "correct" way. I've actually avoided purchasing a kilt in a clan tartan because of this crazy mash up of family history. Any advice from the rabble?

[JSFMACLJR]

Your father is a MacDonald? Well, there you go.

[davidg]

There's no real right or wrong here but you are quite right in thinking the adoptive clan would be the first choice. That's on the assumption you were happy with their adoption of you. Usually on adoption a child's surname is changed to that of the adopting father and legally you would get inheritance rights as well

Your maternal clan, whilst you are rightly part of their family, is not usually the tartan you would wear unless there were no other clan connections

Wearing the tartan of your birth clan might be seen by your adopted clan as a rejection of them in the same way that changing your surname back to your birth surname might be. If they've been good to you they might be a little hurt at such rejection

So if I read your post correctly your adoptive father is a MacDonald. That becomes the "correct" clan for you in normal circumstances

Now, all of this is theoretical stuff and it is likely nobody will be overly concerned whatever you decide to do. Make your decision, be sure of why you have reached that decision, and go do it

[Tobus]

Your father is a MacDonald? Well, there you go.

Yup. If your father was a MacDonald, that would be the first and most "correct" tartan to wear per tradition. The others may be options to you, if you so desire, but no one would ever question your license to wear the tartan of your father's name.

[Riverkilt]

You don't need to pick and choose - buy one of each!

Honor them all.

Wear them as your mood strikes you.

[Lyle1]

Sometimes blood is a weaker link than the link formed people who have bonded on an emotional level. Many people feel that wearing a clan tartan honors their forbearers; whom do you wish to honor? The only correct answer as to which tartan to choose is the one that feels right to you. You could also follow Riverkilt's advice about having kilts in different tartans.

[rlloyd]

You don't need to pick and choose - buy one of each!

Honor them all.

Wear them as your mood strikes you.

Was going to post this!

[DavidB80911]

The best advice, "To thy own self be true". Go with your heart and you will never be wrong.

[ForresterModern]

My last name, Belk, is an adopted one. My father is second generation American from Clan Macdonald of Keppoch.

I guess I am a might confused here about the true relations. You say that your last name, Belk, is an adopted one. Does that mean you were adopted by a family named Belk (possibly a stepfather with that name to whom your mother remarried) and took their name, and that your biological father was a Macdonald of Keppoch? Or some other arrangement?

If your desire is to claim your biologically paternal lineage for your "loyalty" then your Macdonald is your clan. If you claim your "loyalty" to your Belk family and name, and there is no scottish in that lineage, and you wish to honor instead your mother's line then Maclaren would probably be where I would go. Unless neither of these scenarios pertains, and you were raised from a whelp by your grandmother and hold loyalty to the House of Gordon based on that, in which case Gordon would be appropriate regardless of your birth.

As others have said, where is your heart and where do you wish to honor your loyalties?

[Pyper]

There is a rule -- you are a member of a clan if you express allegiance to it, except if the chief rejects you (i.e., the chief of each clan makes his own rules).

If you want to join a clan association, then meet with each of those you might be interested in, and whose membership requirements you meet, and then join the one you like the best.