Tartan Types and Purposes:

[macwilkin]

By the way, Jimmy, one of my favourite books from the Ango-Irish War is Tom Barry's "Guerilla Days in Ireland" -- what a read, even though I would be on the opposite side!

T.

[phil h]

as far as Military Tartans go, I thought the black watch was considered OPEN

[Raphael]

I, too, think Black Watch Tartan is open to every one.

[macwilkin]

Technically, the Black Watch tartan is an "open" tartan, as well as other military tartans, such as the Stewart Hunting (Royal Scots), Leslie (KOSB), etc. I think the "auld jocks" would get upset if one wore the Black Watch tartan and tried to impersonate a Black Watch Jock by wearing the red hackle and the rest of regimental kit -- same with any other unit. Reenactors, of course, are a different matter entirely.

The BW tartan is so popular that any attempt to restrict it's use would be utter folly -- the same with Royal Stewart, which is technically a royal tartan, and reserved for pipers in Scottish Regiments with the prefix "Royal", as in the Royal Highland Regiment, although not all wear it. Personally, it's good publicity for the regiments to allow their use, and it illustrates wear all of the civilian Scottish "kilt kit" we wear today comes from.

There are, however, tartans that are restricted, such as the Balmoral Tartan, and certain clan & family tartans where permission is needed before one can wear it from the Chief.

Cheers !

T.

[Rufus]

First, I find out I'm going to be a wooly mongrel for wearing a kilt, and then I find out I've got a kilt made from a ladies' tartan (MacKenzie Dress.)

Could today get any better?

Thanks for the low down on tartans, Jimmy - 3 months too late!

[bubba]

and then I find out I've got a kilt made from a ladies' tartan (MacKenzie Dress.)

Could today get any better?

That's OK, just wiggle yer hips some when ya walk.

[macwilkin]

The Mackenzie Tartan is NOT a "ladies tartan" (save maybe the "Ladies from Hell"!) -- The Mackenzie was used by two Scottish Regiments, the Old Seaforth Highlanders, amalgamated with the Camerons in 1961 to form the Queens Own Highlanders, and again in 1994 with the Gordons to form the Highlanders, as well as the Highland Light Infantry, who merged with the Royal Scots Fusiliers in the 60's to form the Royal Highland Fusiliers. The Seaforths of Canada also wear the Tartan, which is very appropriate, since Alexander Mackenzie was the first European to reach the Pacific in BC in 1793!

Cheers!

T.

[Jimmy Carbomb]

First, I find out I'm going to be a wooly mongrel for wearing a kilt, and then I find out I've got a kilt made from a ladies' tartan (MacKenzie Dress.)

Remember... the ONLY information that I'll give on tartans comes directly from the Registries and Authorities. They are doing their best to make it so that the "Dress" tartans aren't confused with the English term for "formal". There are, in fact, formal tartans! Hard to find, but in existance.

[Jimmy Carbomb]

By the way, Jimmy, one of my favourite books from the Ango-Irish War is Tom Barry's "Guerilla Days in Ireland" -- what a read, even though I would be on the opposite side!

T.

Slanted like a playground slide!!!

I have a few others in my posession that would make the reader think that the IRA was a "peace-keeping force".

[Jimmy Carbomb]

as far as Military Tartans go, I thought the black watch was considered OPEN

I thought that was the case too. When I was making kilts, I had to look into those sort of things at the time of the Burn's Suppers. I had a Scot, in Philadelphia on business, who was wondering if I was validating the customers who were ordering Black Watch kilts. He gave me one h_ll of an education in the traditions of the tartans, and their importance in the culture. He actually brought along some book that carried his family tree, and validated that his Uncle was in the Black Watch. Then... he ordered a kilt for the weekend.

Again... my sources are the ultra-traditional Tartan Registries. All I can do is pass along their statements to me, and NOT try to reason why it's done. When they actually give me explainations... I'll pass them on. I've already inquired about the reasoning for the stance on Black Watch, and will post it immediately upon receipt.

Who knew these contacts would actually come in handy?!