mixing clan tartans

[Kreen]

My father is descended from the Buchanan clan while my mother is a Boyd. I own a Buchanan clan kilt. However, moths have eaten my flashes. I need to get new ones. I would like to honor my mother's side of the family. So, I was wondering if it would be considered acceptable to wear Boyd flashes with my Buchanan kilt.

As I remember from my History of Scotland class in college: traditionally a young Scott would have a line of thread from his mother's clan's tartan woven into his father's. Since a custom pattern and a whole new kilt is unaffordable I would like another option.

[Paul Henry]

Generally you only one family tartan at a time, it's unusual to wear two at the same time , although wearing colour variations ( modern/weathered/ancient types)at the same time is considered fine. I'd say to get some plain coloured flashes and wear those instead., either knitted garter ones, or plain fabric "V" cut ones,they are even easy to make yourself.
As to wearing a line of thread in your father's tartan to include your mother's family, I'm afraid that is just another romantic tale or myth ,and while it may have happened it's not part of Scottish custom, and I wouldn't pay it much heed.

[M. A. C. Newsome]

Purists will say it is bad form to wear tartans from more than one clan at a time, but the truth is that if you happen to wear Boyd tartan flashes with your Buchanan tartan kilt, will anyone notice? Probably not.

I don't particularly favor tartan flashes anyway, I think solid colors look much nicer and are more traditional. But I realize that opinion doesn't really have any bearing on the question at hand! :-)

Why not get a second kilt in the Boyd tartan?