Fly Plaid Tattoo OK?

**thatguyoverthere** · 12th March 19, 10:12 AM

My late Grandma was McCausland and she was one of three sisters so effectively that family name line passed with her. We were close and I want to do something to honor her memory.

I want to do a fly plaid tattoo with the family tartan and brooch, looking to have it start on my left pec with a brooch and then go over my left shoulder and have it look like it was torn off on my left shoulder blade.

I've seen numerous tartan tattoos before and asked a couple of my friends who are from Scotland and everyone seems to think it's cool.

I just want to make sure I'm not committing some fau paux or massive offence I'm unaware of before I do something permanant.

Any cultural or other reason why I shouldn't go forward with this?

**Jock Scot** · 12th March 19, 10:50 AM

As you are asking, personally I think tattoos are dreadful and are best avoided at all costs.

**Hirsty** · 12th March 19, 11:36 AM

Go for it if you personally want it. Just make sure that you go to an artist who is good at the style you are looking for. I would recommend someone who is good at photo realism tattooing as tartan can be tricky, as can the colours and fold of the cloth.

**Baeau** · 12th March 19, 11:47 AM

[QUOTE=Hirsty;1372872...Go for it if you personally want it. ....[/QUOTE]

If it's what you want, then it's your choice. Personally, I'm with Jock. I draw on paper. As you did ask, "or other reason", I've got one point. With a spouse that's been a back office Medical Assistant (for 38-39 years), she's seen & heard much. Tattoos are an interesting subject. As the body ages, skin looses elasticity. Size changes from weight gain, weight loss. Then, there are issues due to stretch marks, et cetera. Tattoos may not look so good down the road.

Add in: As per US HIPPA privacy reg's, she has never (no joke, here), offered patient names, or what the tattoos were. Only condition / look of artwork.

**thatguyoverthere** · 12th March 19, 12:00 PM

Haha, thanks for the input guys, but I already have a few tattoos and up here in the Northwest I think we're at the point where more people have em than don't.

I guess the question really is just cultural, I don't want to be in a pub in Scotland 15 years from now having a pint and find out that there's some unspoken rule about not doing something like this.

**Jock Scot** · 12th March 19, 12:21 PM

If it helps you, I don't think that there is anything to say that you cant do it, if that is what you want.

**Tarheel** · 12th March 19, 03:57 PM

I think a clan crest tattoo over your heart of your grandmother's clan would be best. You could size up or down to fit your tastes. It would be easier to explain (brag for sure) to others that know what they are seeing on your chest. Just a suggestion.

Ink will fade, stretch with age and need maintenance to remain crisp. The pattern may be too complex for a touch-up if not done by the original artist later.

**Me cousin Jack** · 12th March 19, 04:05 PM

Originally Posted by Tarheel

I think a clan crest tattoo over your heart of your grandmother's clan would be best. You could size up or down to fit your tastes. It would be easier to explain (brag for sure) to others that know what they are seeing on your chest. Just a suggestion.

Ink will fade, stretch with age and need maintenance to remain crisp. The pattern may be too complex for a touch-up if not done by the original artist later.

That’s what I was wondering as well, that it turn into a blurry blob over the years, I should add I have no tattoos.

**Highland Logan** · 12th March 19, 05:10 PM

Originally Posted by Me cousin Jack

That’s what I was wondering as well, that it turn into a blurry blob over the years, I should add I have no tattoos.

If you get a clan crest large enough, and keeping in mind, the issues with health, weight, muscle loss or gain, then really you should be good. Also keep in mind that with or without sun exposure, althought worse in the sun; your tattoo will fade, and may need to be redone. This is especially true if lighter colours. If you stick to black, and have moderate sun, you may never need to touch it up.

But just like enlarging a small photo, it's best to start large, if you want letters to be ledgeable on your body for decades.

Frank

**Tarheel** · 13th March 19, 04:19 AM

Originally Posted by Me cousin Jack

That’s what I was wondering as well, that it turn into a blurry blob over the years, I should add I have no tattoos.

My experience is from my oldest niece that got tattoos in the late 1980's and my wife's daughter that was an "ink artist" for ten years. Their work varies from color using different techniques (borders, to fill in the void) and many ink products.