Questions about Flashes and other "Accessories"

[Son of the Rock]

The manx tartan is a district tartan though, right (Isle of Mann)?

[Manxstralian]

Our U.S. members will likely understand this more, but imagine that you lived on the West Virginia and Kentucky state line, in the USA, right after the civil war, and you wore a Hatfield crest with your McCoy kilt.

You, yourself, may not have the slightest problem with it. But rather than picking one or the other and only upsetting half of Appalachia, you mixed the two and angered both sides.

Respectfully, would that not be more like wearing a MacLean pin on Campbell tartan? Also, does my combination not just hearken back to the Kingdom of Sodor and Mann? Not trying to be argumentative Ken, and your input is noted (as I said, I'm not entirely reconciled with the idea myself), but I think perhaps your analogy is too strong.

Cheers,

Cameron

[Manxstralian]

The manx tartan is a district tartan though, right (Isle of Mann)?

Indeed it is.

[unixken]

Respectfully, would that not be more like wearing a MacLean pin on Campbell tartan? Also, does my combination not just hearken back to the Kingdom of Sodor and Mann? Not trying to be argumentative Ken, and your input is noted (as I said, I'm not entirely reconciled with the idea myself), but I think perhaps your analogy is too strong.

Cheers,

Cameron

Your point is well taken. That said, I think I'd probably wear my clan-less XMTS crest with my Aberdeen District kilt, and save my Buchanan crest for wear with one of my Buchanan kilts. Clan crest with clan tartan, and non-clan with non-clan.

[Jock Scot]

Without wishing to hijack this thread, how would that apply to someone like myself; I have no clan affiliation, yet when I have gone kilted to formal events (weddings usually), my partner has insisted that I wear a MacLean kilt pin on my Manx tartan.
It slightly bothers me as I would never wear a MacLean tartan unless I married her, but after almost ten years of being together I'm as close to family as I could be with the exception of the ring. Generally, I put up some resistance, but occasionally accede to her wishes. Am I committing a faux-pas in this circumstance, especially from your traditional perspective Jock (and Kyle)? Something tells me I am, but then it could be argued that she is my common law wife and therefore I am technically part of Clan MacLean.

EDIT: The kilt pin in question was a gift from my "Mother in Law" at the MacLean Clan Gathering, so it carries extra sentimental value as well, however I'm just not a "if you can buy it, you can wear it" kind of guy.

Cheers,

Cameron

In theory you are not making a faux-pas, because you are mot mixing two Clan symbols. In practice, most people would not know a Manx tartan----I don't! They might know Clan MacLean symbols, but probably not. So there you are wandering around minding you own business doing no one any harm at some event or other and who pops into view? Yes that's the fellow, the "expert" ! We have all met him, the one who knows nothing about much and even less about tartan, particularly when he has a few pints of ale on board! The incorrect identification of the tartan followed by very direct rude questions, getting ever louder if there is a crowd and here comes one ruined day! You know these "social niceties" were not thought up by some "jobsworth" with nothing better to do, far from it. They developed, overtime because it just made life easier all round. That's a good enough reason for most of us, I would say.

[Manxstralian]

I realised after posting that you would say that district tartans were not accepted/recognised in Scotland, which makes the question slightly pointless.. However, since I don't "have" a clan, but do have a "connection" to a clan (I can hear the rolling of eyes already) am I being rude, or merely unconventional? Or do I wait until after the wedding then wear the pin with no issues? And in a final question, in your opinion Jock, once we are married, should I only wear MacLean tartans?

Sorry for all the questions, but I read your advice with great interest, as I am one of the many who value your traditional outlook.

Cheers,

Cameron

[Jock Scot]

I realised after posting that you would say that district tartans were not accepted/recognised in Scotland, which makes the question slightly pointless.. However, since I don't "have" a clan, but do have a "connection" to a clan (I can hear the rolling of eyes already) am I being rude, or merely unconventional? Or do I wait until after the wedding then wear the pin with no issues? And in a final question, in your opinion Jock, once we are married, should I only wear MacLean tartans?

Sorry for all the questions, but I read your advice with great interest, as I am one of the many who value your traditional outlook.

Cheers,

Cameron

Crumbs! Its not for me to tell anyone what they can and can't wear! However you are asking for advice which I am happy to give. There is absolutely nothing wrong with a district tartan, its just in Scotland most of us can come up with a Clan tartan. Actually most of us can come up with a dozen or so! But, we generally choose one and stick with it. There are probably many in Scotland who have no direct clan connections, so those in that position choose a tartan for all sorts of reasons and that is that, job done. We really do not go to a function and spend all day discussing who can wear this ,or that tartan and go in for this tiresome business of justifying the tartan we wear. It is what it is, nothing is said and life goes on, it really is that simple.

Should you only wear the MacLean tartan once you are married? Well, if that is the tartan you choose and if you follow the Scots way of doing things, then the answer is most certainly, yes. It certainly saves a shed load of money and makes kilted life a lot less complicated if you go down that route!

[Manxstralian]

Thanks for your response Jock,
Well, I don't think I'll give up my Manx tartan, but I would embrace the MacLean side... I'm not going to abandon my Paul Henry kilt, it cost to much to throw away...
This family is closer to me than my own in many ways, so being a part of them is extremely important, which I guess is why I was asking in the first place. I assume from what you wrote that except for the odd (sometimes very odd) expert, I would be "in the clear" so to speak?

Cheers,

Cameron

PS. I realise that I did end up hijacking the thread, my apologies to the OP.

[Jock Scot]

Cameron.

In the clear? Well maybe, but remember, just because no one is saying anything, it does not mean that they are not thinking! An oft forgotten point, I find.

[Manxstralian]

Cameron.

In the clear? Well maybe, but remember, just because no one is saying anything, it does not mean that they are not thinking! An oft forgotten point, I find.

True, but if someone doesn't ask and simply assume, that have no right to judge, at least in my opinion. I'm sure many others would disagree, and they are entitled to their opinions. Having said that, I do appreciate your feedback sir!

Cheers,

Cameron