Cameron Tartan

**lukeyrobertson** · 3rd November 11, 09:14 AM

I'm not sure if I've picked the right category on the Forum. My great great grandmother was a Cameron. Is it appropriate to wear Cameron of Erracht or Lochiel? Or, the Cameron Clan only? Or does it really matter? I am not sure what it means when a clan tartan is followed by, "of Erracht, of Straun, of Lochiel..." Know what I mean?

**davidg** · 3rd November 11, 09:22 AM

Usually these different tartans signify different branches of the family. The purists want to wear the correct tartan for the branch of the family they trace their ancestry to but many do not worry and just pick whichever sett (colours) they like the best

Do you know your ancestry? If so, the answer lies there. If not, then pick whichever you prefer best. Before you do so though double check with the clan association web pages just to see if there are any protocols there that you want to be aware of (for example, the Campbell's do not officially recognise the Campbell of Argyll sett)

**lukeyrobertson** · 3rd November 11, 09:27 AM

davidg, I am only aware that she is a Cameron. I have no idea which branch. I'm not sure how I could find that out, actually. She was born 1826 in Scotland. That's all I have to go on. I'll check the clan association. Thank you for that.

**Jock Scot** · 3rd November 11, 09:31 AM

I am not a Cameron, but I have a distinct feeling that the Cameron of Lochiel tartan is restricted to the Clan Chief and his immediate family. As for the other Cameron tartans you mention, we usually see just the Clan Cameron tartan being worn around here, although the others are worn too on occasion. However I do not know the Cameron tartan conventions well enough to advise on who can and who cannot wear which tartan.

**davidg** · 3rd November 11, 09:37 AM

Originally Posted by lukeyrobertson

davidg, I am only aware that she is a Cameron. I have no idea which branch.

There are some "Cameron Ship listings" on the clan website that may shed some light http://www.clan-cameron.org/roots.html

Cameron of Lochiel is the chief so I would guess that Lochiel may be a safe option for you. Most clans have a tartan that everyone can wear and then the optional family tartans but there is no absolute rule about any of this so I wouldn't worry too much

There may be some Camerons on this board that will offer some help but failing that the clan society will be a goldmine of information for you

**Jock Scot** · 3rd November 11, 09:43 AM

Originally Posted by davidg

There are some "Cameron Ship listings" on the clan website that may shed some light http://www.clan-cameron.org/roots.html

Cameron of Lochiel is the chief so I would guess that Lochiel may be a safe option for you. Most clans have a tartan that everyone can wear and then the optional family tartans but there is no absolute rule about any of this so I wouldn't worry too much

There may be some Camerons on this board that will offer some help but failing that the clan society will be a goldmine of information for you

BE WARNED. The Cameron of Lochiel tartan IS restricted to The Can Chief and his immediate family.

**davidg** · 3rd November 11, 09:45 AM

Originally Posted by davidg

Cameron of Lochiel is the chief so I would guess that Lochiel may be a safe option for you.

Or perhaps not if Jock is right

ith:

Lochcarron list Cameron Clan Modern, Cameron of Erracht Modern, Cameron Clan Hunting and Cameron of Lochiel. That suggests the universal tartan might be Cameron Clan in either modern or hunting (there may be an ancient and/or weathered version somewhere as well)

If Lochcarron are selling Cameron of Lochiel tartan that suggests it is not a restricted tartan as such but it may well be one of those clan conventions that only the chief wears it. That's why I suggested checking things out with the clan association as they will readily know the answer to that

**Jock Scot** · 3rd November 11, 09:53 AM

Just Google The Basics of Clan Cameron and the second tartan illustrated(Cameron of Lochiel) and it will confirm what I say.

**davidg** · 3rd November 11, 10:09 AM

Originally Posted by Jock Scot

Just Google The Basics of Clan Cameron and the second tartan illustrated(Cameron of Lochiel) and it will confirm what I say.

Yes, that clarifies it quite well at http://www.clan-cameron.org/basics.html

However, it is not a restricted tartan. It is freely available from Lochcarron and Strathmore according to my trade brochures and the Scottish Tartans Authority, whereas restricted tartan can only be sold under licence and is generally not available to the public. That means the OP could be sold a kilt in that tartan by any kiltmaker and would be none the wiser about his blunder unless you had pointed this out

This is the kind of convention that exists with a few tartans, such as the Balmoral. Whilst not restricted tartans, which the wearing of without permission would constitute a criminal offence (in the UK at least), it is a tartan that is not conventionally worn other than by the chief. It would therefore be a major faux pas for the OP to wear the Lochiel tartan if he ever wanted to join other Camerons at highland events

**Jock Scot** · 3rd November 11, 10:26 AM

So what exactly are Lochcarron saying? Are they saying; "Yes we do make Cameron of Lochiel tartan"? Or are they saying; "Yes we do make Cameron of Lochiel tartan, but we only sell it to the Chief and his immediate family"? Or, are they saying: "Yes we do make Cameron of Lochiel tartan and we sell it to everyone"? Three very different answers.