Allowed tartans

[Panache]

Makeitstop,

You have posted your two cents, so here are mine.

There are fabric choices out there that are a LOT less expensive and far more durable than tartan, especially quality wool tartan. Part of the beauty of tartan is that it can stand for something. A tartan can represent a piece of history, honor a group, or stand for an ideal


Take a piece of Campbell / Black Watch tartan in your hands.

It can represent those that fought for the English Crown against their people,

It can represent generations of brave soldiers who fought with distinction and valor,

It can represent a family's history and unity,

It can represent an enemy and bloody deeds never forgotten,

and many other things both good and bad.

There in your hand is pride, honor, villainy, family, loyalty, blood, death, bravery, honor, and above all HISTORY!

With the internet so much information is available, so quickly, for so little effort. If one would take the time to choose a tartan to wear it seems a shame to not invest a moment more to know what that tartan represents.

I am not a Campbell and I have no connection to the Black Watch Regiment. But I wear this tartan in a full 8 yard knife pleated kilt with respect to those two groups. My ancestors were not slain by the Campbells but I know that this deed happened and there are those that to this day see that association. How richer this fabric is for all this history. I wear my grey Utilikilt and enjoy it for it's practicality, comfort, good looks, and as a representation of my individuality. But my tartan kilts have this added dimension.

One of the wonderful things about tartans is that besides warps and wefts there is history woven into that cloth. I think that one should wear whatever tartan you like (with a few exceptions). To not take that moment to understand the history or meaning of a tartan isn't just a matter of disrespect. It is to have something and not get the full enjoyment and appreciation of it.

Respectfully

Jamie