great photo of high-rise Army kilt

[OC Richard]

I think most regimental tartans are based on clan tartans from the original heads of the regiments

If we're talking the original Scottish Highland regiments raised in the 18th century, it's a mixed bag.

First of course is the tartan of The Black Watch, the origin of which seems to be impossible to ascertain. Ditto Cameron of Erracht, though it's obviously a MacDonald tartan with yellow line added.

Seaforth MacKenzie and Gordon appear to be simply Black Watch with added lines.

Anyhow I'm not sure that there's clear evidence that any of these were a pre-existing tartan worn by the family of the regiment's founder.

it would be a rare thing indeed to see a military-style kilt in a civilian clan (i.e. non-military associated) tartan

For sure true if we're talking a true MOD Other Rank's kilt, because I've only seen that style of tartan available in the tartans the Army uses. It's the very heavy wool, huge sett size, and moreover the surface of the wool has a different feel to it, a softer/fuzzier feel, a bit more like a travel rug.

Though other attributes of military kilts are seen sometimes with civilian kilts, such as being pleated to the line, lacking belt loops, or plain binding.

So true that I don't think I've ever seen a civilian kilt that had ALL the attributes of an army kilt (pleated to the line, high rise, green binding, black two-prong buckles, no fringe).