Explaining a tartan

**Jock Scot** · 14th January 14, 04:30 AM

Over the years I have learned to recognise the nudges, whispers, smiles, nods, hand over the mouth, giggles, etc., that come before the question about the tartan arrives. Even Mrs Jock can now spot the signs and tips me off on what is about to arrive. I don't mind people asking and I do think that it does take a certain amount of courage for a visitor to our country to ask a complete stranger about their attire. Often a quick reply of the Clan suffices and we part company in a blink of an eye. Sometimes, if I have time---------and/or the girl/s are pretty(its usually the girls that ask)------- then a conversation of more than a few minutes can take place and more often than not, a growd will gather and a broader conversation about, tartan, kilts, Scotland, Texas, Japan, Australia, Holland, whisky, haggis will develop! That is fine if there is time, but I find the trick of keeping the conversation short, is to smile and keep moving whilst answering the question.

**Alan H** · 22nd January 14, 07:21 PM

Originally Posted by jhockin

Alan:
not to re-start a "jonesing" for you, but there IS a MacNaughton Hunting tartan:
http://www.tartanregister.gov.uk/tar....aspx?ref=5804

Attachment 16271

available here, in heavy weight kilt cloth:

http://www.tartankilts.com/acatalog/...cnaughton.html

Well, now. THAT is interesting. It doesn't ring my bell, so to speak, but it IS interesting.

**Geoff Withnell** · 22nd January 14, 07:34 PM

Originally Posted by Jock Scot

... That is fine if there is time, but I find the trick of keeping the conversation short, is to smile and keep moving whilst answering the question.

An observation useful in more than discussions of tartans, Jock!

**jhockin** · 23rd January 14, 09:09 PM

Originally Posted by Alan H

Well, now. THAT is interesting. It doesn't ring my bell, so to speak, but it IS interesting.

Yeah, I'd want to see a swatch before buying some & it would also depend upon the weights available. Still, rather pricy :0(

**A Robertson** · 25th February 14, 02:54 PM

I find a 'Glasgow Kiss' usually solves any problems.

(Glasgow Kiss = headbut)

**OC Richard** · 25th February 14, 04:03 PM

Originally Posted by A Robertson

I find a 'Glasgow Kiss' usually solves any problems.

Like this?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rS_o23fFRf0

or this?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VUy-ZXrQpP0

No, not that either... this?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XRKc_AgAniI

**Mike in Dayton** · 25th February 14, 05:11 PM

I run into the "what clan is that" all the time. I really throw them for a loop when I am wearing my Pennsylvania tartan kilt. I tell them this is not a clan tartan. It is the State of Pennsylvania tartan. That usually tumbles their gyros just long enough for me to get away.

Mike

**BBNC** · 26th February 14, 06:28 AM

My first outing in a kilt was to a family reunion of members from the paternal side of the family. So many wanted to know what it was all about, so I simply explained to everyone that my kilt represented my maternal grandmother's Scotch-Irish lineage. My father's side is predominately Dutch in origin. After that, aside from several compliments, mostly from ladies, I was able to just go on with the program and had a lovely time.

**artificer** · 26th February 14, 06:43 AM

Originally Posted by Geoff Withnell

When I really have fun is when I'm wearing the R'lyeh tartan. "What clan tartan is that?" "It's not a clan tartan, it's a district tartan." "Oh, what district?" "R'lyeh" "Where's that?" "It's a fictional city at the bottom of the Pacific, but it may be coming back"
Usually followed by the questioner realizing they needed to be somewhere else, quickly.

LOL - or should I say Mwhahaha!?

I've had this happen any number of times. If the enquirer doesn't actually realize that they "needed to be somewhere else, quickly" and stays around to chat a bit more they're usually profoundly shocked that so much yardage has actually been produced.

:cthulhusmiley:

**Kilted Cole** · 1st March 14, 01:24 PM

Originally Posted by usonian

The first time you do that, of course, you'll find yourself talking to a self appointed member of the kilt police who will delight in telling you that there's is no such thing as the MacNaughton, Hunting tartan.

Actually,....There is

I believe the current Chief of Clan MacNaughton designed it. but yes...love it when people that know actually very little, or considerably less than the one wearing the kilt tells you something that they think their an expert on because their second cousins best friends dad was married in a kilt.

MacNaughton Hunting Muted.