Wearing another clans Tartan?

**David Thorpe** · 22nd April 13, 09:57 PM

Originally Posted by tulloch

We all have worn a shirt or tie or pajamas in someone's tartan other than our own.

No, not all of us have.

I will not restate my strong opinion on this question as it has already been stated by another poster.

**Jock Scot** · 22nd April 13, 09:59 PM

To give a Scots perspective and speaking generally.

You can wear nearly any tartan you wish. Whether you should, or not, is entirely up to you. However, we generally wear the one Clan tartan only, the wife wears her husbands tartan and the children wear their fathers tartan. I could, if I so choose, wear ten , maybe more tartans, but I don't as it is not the Scots way.

Many people quite rightly point out that most Clan tartans are at best, some two hundred years old and tend to scoff at the way that many classic tartans were designed------well someone had to do it and for me, it all adds to the history of tartan, but one thing to remember is that many tartans are still older than some countries.

**TheOfficialBren** · 22nd April 13, 10:07 PM

J
Some very interesting and valid points have been raised. Great discussion, gentlemen!

**MacGumerait** · 22nd April 13, 10:57 PM

Originally Posted by David Thorpe

No, not all of us have.

I will not restate my strong opinion on this question as it has already been stated by another poster.

Ditto .

**Tobus** · 23rd April 13, 05:24 AM

Ah, this question raises its head once again!

After seeing it argued ad nauseam many times before, I've finally come to the following conclusions:

1. Yes, most clan tartans were invented by a couple of frauds looking to make a buck. But regardless of the origin, the tradition has taken hold and should not be dismissed outright. I think 200 years of clan tartan affiliation is nothing to scoff at.

2. No, there are no kilt police or tartan enforcers. You'll occasionally be questioned about your clan affiliation if wearing tartan, and you may find someone who is offended at your wearing of their clan tartan if you have no affiliation. Whether you choose to risk causing offense is up to you.

3. When choosing to wear a clan tartan that is not your own, consider your audience. If you're going for a solo hike in the mountains or an evening at the pub where nobody else will be wearing kilts or would be expected to know anything about kilts, that's one thing. Going to a Highland Games, Scottish festival/gathering, or other event where there is more knowledge about tartans, is another thing entirely. So the etiquette of wearing a clan tartan very much depends on who you will be displaying it to. A clan tartan is, after all, a symbol of affiliation with a group. When putting on a clan tartan kilt, ask yourself if the people you will be around are going to identify you as part of a group to which you do not belong.

**ctbuchanan** · 23rd April 13, 06:08 AM

@Tobus
a big ***

(your very succinct explanation should be pinned to every post that comes up on this question.)

**Nile** · 23rd April 13, 06:53 AM

Originally Posted by ctbuchanan

(your very succinct explanation should be pinned to every post that comes up on this question.)

Agreed; a big ***, Tobus!

Nile

**David Thorpe** · 23rd April 13, 06:55 AM

If ever there were a suitable candidate for a sticky, Tobus' succinct answer to one of the most often asked questions here is it.

**TheOfficialBren** · 23rd April 13, 07:25 AM

Originally Posted by ctbuchanan

@Tobus
a big ***

(your very succinct explanation should be pinned to every post that comes up on this question.)

Ditto! +***!! *** to Savid's suggestion to make Tobus' answer a sticky. I couldn't have stated itbetter myself.

GG · 23rd April 13, 08:40 AM

Originally Posted by Tobus

Ah, this question raises its head once again!

3. When choosing to wear a clan tartan that is not your own, consider your audience. If you're going for a solo hike in the mountains or an evening at the pub where nobody else will be wearing kilts or would be expected to know anything about kilts, that's one thing. Going to a Highland Games, Scottish festival/gathering, or other event where there is more knowledge about tartans, is another thing entirely. So the etiquette of wearing a clan tartan very much depends on who you will be displaying it to. A clan tartan is, after all, a symbol of affiliation with a group. When putting on a clan tartan kilt, ask yourself if the people you will be around are going to identify you as part of a group to which you do not belong.

To the point. I should never (dare to) wear a kilt in a clan tartan when in Scotland. Everywhere else (where I go) it is of no importance.