Non Clergy, wearing Clergy Tartan?

[davidlpope]

See this excellent page for the Clergy/Clark tartan story, written by our very own Matt Newsome:

http://www.tartansauthority.com/reso...erical-tartan/

[Father Bill]

As to my question about the name "Clark(e)"...

Here are some words from the same root: clerk, (clarke) cleric, clergy. The indication was derived from a meaning of someone who could read and write in the time where the clergy were among the few who could. Similarly, clerks were recorders of information. It's interesting to note that the symbol of literacy was a white band of cloth tied around the neck, and since the clergy wore a notched, or Roman style vest or jacket, the result was the clergy shirt we see today.

Nobody will argue with you, but remember that a tartan is a name tag - either to the surname of your clan, or in this case to indicate membership in either the Clark(e) clan, or ordination. When you wear it, you are in some ways making one of those claims.

[figheadair]

See this excellent page for the Clergy/Clark tartan story, written by our very own Matt Newsome:

http://www.tartansauthority.com/reso...erical-tartan/

Matt has it just about right. I would add a further comment regarding Wilsons' Priest. There is no evidence that they wove it for the Clergy and that's unlikely in my opinion and I think the name was more a play on the fact that the purple had ecclesiastical overtones. Like a number of others he gave, Logan's count for Breacan a'Chleric was completely erroneous and his mistake in transcribing Wilsons' sett.

[Ron Abbott]

I used to have a kilt in the Clark tartan. No persons surnamed Clark in my family history as far as I'm aware and as for Clergy.......well perhaps someone might have been a very long time ago based on my surname!!

At any rate, who cares; wear whatever you want!

[James Hood]

Most interesting thread; this site keeps coming up with them!

Couple idle thoughts...

Roman Catholic schoolgirls are "famous" for wearing plaid "uniform" skirts and to this knowledge, the school's choice of tartan is not questioned, or if so in the past, does anyone have a recollection thereof? Do / have any worn the Clarke / Clark / Clergy tartan. If so, was it "proper"?

If known / fellow church musicians or reigious ed leaders were to show up in Clarke / Clark / Clergy tartan, this writer believes it would be quite a hoot and interesting choice; after all, the RC parish priest and deacons are "unlikely" to do so.

Encountering a fellow kiltie (a chap wearing a Clarke / Clark / Clergy kilt or lady with tartan skirt or ladies' kilt) and asking and being told they are parish staff, musician, RE leader, other ministry...would personally elicit a smile and hearty congrats from this writer.

Just one opinion....

[Joseph]

OK so if I understand correctly. Nearly all tartans are registered. Some tartans hold special connection to some people. But most designs are not seen with any importance at all by most people? So therefore the reputation for "open tartans" doesn't really matter much since there is no real offense over just wearing a design that is pleasing to your style or wardrobe accessories?

So a tartan could be registered to a certain county (or family) as laying claim to that design. And anyone from anywhere could wear that same tartan without any fear of negative disapproval. However since the design is claimed and registered then another county could not also lay claim to the same tartan design.

In the states, wearing the wrong color in the wrong part of town, could get you in serious trouble.

[Ron Abbott]

'In the states, wearing the wrong color in the wrong part of town, could get you in serious trouble.'

Likewise in Belfast or Glasgow......

[Steve Ashton]

Just a few comments to, hopefully, make things clear.

Registering a Tartan is quite different from having a Tartan made "Official".

Registering a Tartan with the Scottish Register of Tartans or The Scottish Tartans Authority is simply listing it with the other Tartans that have been designed.
Acceptance of registration denotes that the design is unique and different from the others that are on the list.

Registration carries no certification that the body the design is named for has accepted or adopted the design for official use.

Let me give you an example from my own experience.

In 1993 a Tartan was designed by a couple who live in Victoria, BC Canada. They registered their design with The Scottish Tartans Authority under the name "City of Victoria".
Their design however is not pleasing to some. When I was showing a fabric swatch around I was asked to design an alternative Tartan.

In 2009 I designed a new Tartan and named it "Victoria, City of Gardens". My design is also registered with the Scottish Tartans Authority as a different and unique design.

I submitted both Tartan designs to the City Council of Victoria. On the 14th of January, 2010 my design was chosen as The Official Tartan of the City of Victoria, BC.

There are now two Tartans that are named for the City of Victoria. Both are Registered. But only one is Official.

To be listed in the Scottish Register of Tartans as a Clan Tartan, the design, in addition to being registered, must have the backing of the Clan Chief or his/her representative.
To be listed in the Scottish Register of Tartans as a US State Tartan the design must be recognized by the State Legislature.

Registering or officially recognizing a design does not make it exclusive however. In truth, anyone may wear any Tartan, but here is the sticky point, if you can find fabric that has been woven in that design.

For example The Balmoral Tartan is currently owned by the Royal Family. To have this design woven it is expected that you would submit authorization from a member of the Royal Family.

Some Tartan designs are also Copyrighted. The Isle of Skye Tartan is under Copyright and a Copyright fee is paid to the Copyright holder for every meter of fabric woven.

Some Tartans also carry restrictions. This means that the designer wishes his design to be woven by a particular weaving company or in specific shades of colors, or is intended for the use of specific groups or persons. These restrictions do not always carry the weight of law. They are simply listed when the Tartan is accepted for registration.

Etc. etc.

I hope this clears up some terms and how they are used.

As far as the Clergy Tartan. There are 5 designs listed (Registered) with the Scottish Tartans Authority using the name Clergy.

Depending on the weaver you may receive either International Tartan Index number #701, ITI #1221 or ITI #633. These are the ones that most people associate with the occupation of Clergy. This Tartan carries the alternate name Clark.

Tartan ITI #1221 has this descriptor and is the one referred to by Matt Newsome.

" It is claimed that in earlier times the Highland clergy wore the Highland dress and carried arms and that many attempts were made to prevent them wearing tartan and to force them to wear conventional ministerial habit. These, however, had only limited success. The Clergy tartan is sometimes called "The Priest's Sett", but in the Highlands is known as "Breacan nan Cleirach" - the tartan of the Clergy. As with so very many tartans, there are many variations of the Clergy sett, due to the vagaries of the illustrators of tartan books. There is no categorisation for occupational tartans so all the clergy tartans are classed as "Corporate". This is woven by Lochcarron and sold as Clergy. The same sett but with the first pivot (Black8) changed to Blue8 and with the light grey changed to white is sold as Clark (#633).

However, under the name name Clark is Tartan ITI#633 which carries this additional information.
"This is woven by Lochcarron and sold as Clark. The same sett but with the first pivot (Blue8) changed to Black8 is sold as Clergy. See that at #1221. Blue is not quite right in this graphic. Lochcarron swatch.

Note - that no where is this listed under the spelling Clarke.)

I hope this additional information helps a little too.

[Ron Abbott]

See this excellent page for the Clergy/Clark tartan story, written by our very own Matt Newsome:

http://www.tartansauthority.com/reso...erical-tartan/

Thank you. I hadn't seen that before.

[Chaps]

As another of the clergy members of the forum, I would not be offended if someone other than a member of the clergy (or a Clark) wore the tartan. My somewhat limited experience is, unless you run into one of the members of this forum no one will know what tartan you are wearing, though someone might ask. Personally, I tend to try to follow some of the traditions/guidelines/suggestions put forth in this forum and would not wear a tartan of a clan or a vocation of which I am not a part. I won't wear the Leatherneck tartan even though I served with Marines as a Navy Chaplain. That is just me, but I in no way think that it is binding on anyone else. Also, if any member of the clergy were to be offended or indignant because you wear the clergy tartan, that person should choose a new vocation. If you do go for a clergy tartan, I prefer the ancient clergy or the muted clergy tartans myself. My next 8 yard kilt will be the ancient clergy.
Grace and peace,