Two Tartans?

[Jamie McP]

I am from an associated family to the Macpherson Clan on my father's side. I am directly related in six generations to the Cunningham clan on my mother's side. Which tartan is more appropriate for me to wear? Could I or should I wear both at the same time--ie a MacPherson red kilt with a Cunningham tie? I am very concerned that the wearing of the kilt is respectable and appropriate.

[Chas]

Father's side first and never wear two different tartans.

[cessna152towser]

You could wear either the tartan of your father's family or your mother's family, whichever you prefer, or you could have both. I would suggest that if you wear a tartan tie it should match the kilt tartan.
Many clan society members, and in particular I am thinking of North American based members of my clan society, have chosen which clan society to belong to from their mother's surname and therefore wear their mother's family tartan. I was unable to do this as my mother's surname was uniquely Irish and did not have a clan or a tartan. My father's surname (and therefore mine) is Cunningham so I became involved with Clan Cunningham International, of which I am currently the Scottish Regional Director, and I wear the Cunningham tartan on formal occasions.

[MacLowlife]

Welcome Jamie!

You have wandered into the Big Question ( not The Question, which has to do with what is under your kilt,) but the Big Question of multiple tartans, multiple clans, multiple kilts. In one corner is the Ancient and Honorable Scots tradition- one kilt, period. Generally speaking, that would be the tartan associated with your surname. In the other corner, is Abundance, particularly North American Abundance, which leads to the ownership of several kilts, expressing several affiliations, loyalties, and connections, be they real or "aspirational". Oddly enough, the simple idea of showing both family connections by wearing two unrelated clan tartans, is almost universally frowned on. You may wear two different tartans from the same clan or family ( hunting, dress, modern, ancient etc.) but you should not wear your Cunningham with your MacPherson. However, the biggest rule of all is to be comfortable and confident.

[Jamie McP]

This sounds like good advice. I do have a second kilt in the Law Enforcement tartan that I wear representing the Sheriff's Search and Rescue organization that I coordinated for twenty years. I plan to were this at least one day to the Scottish Festival this year. But my "formal" kilt will remain in the Macpherson tartan.

[Pleater]

That seems just right.

I am old fashioned enough to think that the paternal line should be the one followed if possible.

However - I do have some Armstrong tartan simply because of my father's connection through his grandfather Wilson's family to the Armstrong Siddeley motor company. The connection is tenuous, but my dad could never pass by an Armstrong Siddeley Sapphire without comment and admiration.

Anne the Pleater :ootd:

[WillowEstate]

However - I do have some Armstrong tartan simply because of my father's connection through his grandfather Wilson's family to the Armstrong Siddeley motor company. The connection is tenuous, but my dad could never pass by an Armstrong Siddeley Sapphire without comment and admiration.

Anne the Pleater :ootd:

Completely off-topic but that brings back fond memories. For years growing up, I yearned for a Star Sapphire but by the time I could afford one, they were long since gone. Sad.

[CamelCody]

As much as I would love to promote the wearing of the Cunningham tartan, I would say stick with your paternal line. On a side note, it seems there aren't a whole lot of Cunningham tartans being worn around here. Quite a shame as it's a great tartan, both the original and hunting versions.

[creagdhubh]

That seems just right.

I am old fashioned enough to think that the paternal line should be the one followed if possible.

I agree. Despite having Scottish ancestry through my maternal line, I only wear tartan that specifically pertains to my paternal line, the Macphersons. Therefore, the only tartan I will wear is either Macpherson (hunting, red-based, dress) or Chattan (clan or Crubin plaid). Naturally, there is also a variety of colour schemes to decide from too.

[TheOfficialBren]

I'm more with Alex (cessna152towser) on this one.

The strict hard-line tradition dictates: father's family only...and only one per customer.

I am more relaxed...and with good personal reason to be.

I shall elaborate.

Now, since this is a kilts and tartans forum I shall be more detailed than with the layman but please do not interpret this as another Yank justifying playing "Scotty" out on the hill for the day. To the layman, I wouldn't even acknowledge the fact that I am wearing a kilt (my reply upon comment is always something like, "oh! I suppose I am!") when someone mentions it. If they bother to as the tartan name (this has literally happened only twice in all of 2013) I tell them the BASIC NAME (no, for example, "weathered" or " modern" or the weaver's name or any other information about my kilt and/or its tartan...they don't care as deeply as I do and will forget in five minutes anyway) of the tartan.

My father's family (paternal and maternal lines) are nearly all Scottish surnames. In my mother's family (paternal is largely English surnames, her maternal line is largely Scottish surnames). We have Native American blood in shorter supply than our Scottish and English blood but significantly enough to be able to legitimately claim Native American ancestry.


Here's a loop for you--my father's family (love them deeply) could not care less about tartan. Mum's family...somewhat since most of us were History majors of some sort at Uni. Absolutely no tradition of kiltwearing in the last century on either side of my family. They are all aware of the family history and even some notable ancestors. It was just never a priority in my family. When I took up the kilt it was met with curiosity (and a few sniggers from Mum and my aunts--all of the men thin it's bloody awesome (Dad's more reserved [perhaps trews will sneak their way into hos wardrobe 'round X-mas?] but more nterested in the leatherwork surrounding sporrans than kilts and tartan). I'm the youngest. I have all half-siblings. The older of my two brothers thinks it's daring and manly and really loves it when I don the kilt, although he is apprehensive to do so himself. You see, he and my sister (she is the oldest) are more interested in and familiar with our Cherokee heritage than our Scottish. I am better-versed in our Scottish roots. It is apparent, too, upon meeting them.
My sister is a very proud Cherokee woman...but get her riled up and that Gaelic Storm knows no bound!
My other brother (the siblimg next to me) is like Dad-- easy-going, little interest in history. Never been kilted around him, oddy enough, but he lives far away.

Here's what works for me:

My father's clan is Shaw. Tartan by way of cloth or finished products are limited. Yes, they are. Sometimes they may be available but that Scottish frugality pops up and some items become cost-prohibitive at times. Hmm...might have to wait a while plunk down for a "tank" in the Shaw tartan...and we get two options: MODERN (nearly always my tartan preference), which is usually my in 13oz or 16oz at an extra premium cost & ANCIENT, which never settles well to my eye with this particular tartan...but is more readily available in a variety of weights from more weavers (I don't know why but that's how it ends up with Shaw).

My mother's family clan is Robertson. TWO tartans: the famous Red Robertson (meh...not big on it for the same reason that other famous red tartan that you see everywhere hasn't ever struck my fancy...it's a lot of...welll...RED...lovely for other people, just not my preference) and the OH-SO-GLORIOUS HUNTING tartan (based upon the Blackwatch tartan, similar to the MacKenzie tartan but with the red and white lines reversed)...and each of them is readily available in a variety of products from many, many vendors in various colour palattes, styles, weights, and what-have-you.

Now, to further weight the dilemma, while tradition says that I must, must, MUST adhere to my father's tartan...they never wear it and probably, realistically, never will. I am rarwly around other kilties, so being around kindreds of the same tartan colours is unlikely, so there is little camaraderie to develop, either.

My mother's family cares very little about tartan and although they appreciate the aesthetics of it will probably never wear it.

I chose to stick with the Robertson tartan for now. My mother's family are made up of some of the strongest women that I have ever known. I can think of other ways to express that to the world but this one is for me, not the kit kops.

Some auld crabbit may take issue with it but most of the folks around here aren't wrapped up in that sort of tomfoolery. Most folk here are realistic, compassionate, and a damned fine bunch of lads (and lasses) if I do say so. I love my dad's family but I am much closer to my mother's family. It seemed to be a decision that could be made both logically and emotionally and still render the same result had I based my decision solely one one or the other.

Nobody in my family is offended either way and neither chief (Tordarroch [Shaw chief] or Struan [Robertson chief]) will probaly ever see my kilted self (or care if I am wearing their colours...not-to-mention the Cherokee chiefs who have historically held the Scots in special regard---the subject of another thread entirely). I get to have a nice kilt in a family tartan and nobody is hurt. That's reason to celebrate enough.

I think that even the most die-hard traditionalist would have to give me some slack on that one.


I do apologise for taking up a large portion of the thread here, but I saw much that was familiar, OP, in your original post and felt the desire to share a little something.

Whew! I could do for a pint!

int: