unaffiliated colors?

[KaleStewart]

To make a long story short, My parents passed away while I was only in my late teens. My father had always told me that I was scottish and my family had come from scotland. I have made several attempts to trace my lineage but because I have no information about my grandparents etc. all my attempts have failed. I am trying to buy a kilt but it would be wrong for me to use the stewart colors with me having no affiliation with the clan. I have heard that their are neutral colors that people with no clan affiliation can use.
Can anyone tell me what they are?

[Downunder Kilt]

There are a plethora of tartans that you can choose from, district tartans of areas of Scotland,Wales, Ireland, USA, Australia. There are Scottish tartans that are deemed to be universal that anyone can wear (eg Black Watch). There are tartan associated with buinesses, clubs schools, universities. You can design one and have it woven. Check out the sites of a couple of our sponsers and their tartan selections. You can try Googling district tartans or Universal tartans.

BTW Welcome to the Forum, if you let us know where you are in the world, some suggestions on appropiate tartans may come your way

[KaleStewart]

Thank you for welcoming me to the forum, I hail from New England in the United States. I'm trying to find something as close to my heritage as possible (I believe the stewarts originated in the highlands) with out using a tartan that belongs to a specific clan. As I heard that is frowned upon if you can't prove that you are legitimate.

[Jock Scot]

Welcome, from Inverness-shire.

Thank you for trying to do the right thing and making the effort to find out. Let us be quite clear here, anyone, you included, can wear nearly any tartan you like.There are a few exceptions. The question is whether you should, some think this is a critical question, others don't.

Actually the Stewart tartan is pretty much a universal tartan, but with your name you have more justification than many to wear it. The Black Watch tartan is worn as a universal tartan too(although the word "universal" is misunderstood by many in this context), there are area tartans, there are "group" tartans, county tartans,various American state and university tartans plus military(not as a uniform) ones, Canada has some good tartans too and I could go on! So Clan tartans are not the only choice for those that think that they should at least try to do the right thing. Thank you for your efforts on this..

[Chas]

Hello Kale,

Welcome to XMarks from the other side of the Atlantic in Norfolk, England.

You don't have to prove anything. You have the name. If anyone was stupid enough to ask, raise your voice slightly and say "I am Kale Stewart of Clan Stewart and who are you?

There are a variety of Stewart tartans. The Royal Stewart is, of course, quite a bright red, but there is also a green, brown and the Black Stewart, which is very popular.

Try this link and have a look at everything that is available:

http://www.tartanregister.gov.uk/

Regards

Chas

[M. A. C. Newsome]

Hunting Stewart is one of the older tartans which has always been generally regarded as a universal tartan for those without a clan tartan of their own. Royal Stewart was not originally intended thus, but has rather become so by long general usage.

Black Watch is also often worn as a universal tartan. There is also the Jacobite tartan, and the Culloden tartan.

And, as others have said, there are loads and loads of modernly designed fashion tartans with no clan affiliation. Just off the top of my head, we have Flower of Scotland, Pride of Scotland, Scottish National, Highland Granite, Patriot, Auld Scotland and National Millennium.

You can google search to find an image of any of these. Loads of different color choices. Pick one and wear it well!

[David Thorpe]

Sage advice... Welcome from Northern Appalachia.

[Father Bill]

Welcome to the Great Rabble!

[Peter Crowe]

Welcome from a native born Scot now living on Massachusetts' North Shore.

You have received good advice from previous posters which it would be superfluous for me to add. Well done on taking the kilt purchase seriously and doing a wee bit of research.

[McElmurry]

Many people without genealogical proof join a clan society and many consider that as legitimate a connection as blood. If you are a member you’re a member...end of story. Here is a quote from the Stewart Society webpage:

Membership is open to all who bear the name of Stewart (Stuart, Steuart or Steward), or who are Stewarts by birth or descent. Associate Membership is open to those having a special connection with the Stewarts or a special interest in their history. The objects of The Society are philanthropic, historical, genealogical, and to further kinship.

Oh and welcome to Xmarks from the left coast