What's the "Official" Word About Tartans?

[Graham]

This is the name of a really good article to appear in the latest Scottish banner, it's by Matthew A. C. Newsome Curator of the Scottish Tartans Museum, USA.

I can't post the whole thing here, it might be breach of copyright, but I scanned the article and among the things he said was this:

"So you've decided you are going to proudly display Scotland's cloth with a kilt or some other form of clothing. You've probably selected a tartan based on your surname, or the surname of someone in your family, that reflects what clan your ancestors presumably hailed from. Or perhaps you have chosen to wear a district tartan that honors the place that your family originated. Perhaps you simply selected a tartan because you liked the colors and found the design appealing (a very traditional way of choosing a tartan). (emph. mine).

and "Today's Tartan..
Today, the tradition of tartan has evolved to such that tartans now represent something and when you wear a tartan you are identifying yourself with what that tartan represents. But the choice of tartan remains entirely personal. With the very rare exception of restricted tartans, anyone can choose to wear whatever tartan he or she likes - very unlike heraldic arms."

I thought this might put to rest some issues (maybe) and let us enjoy the freedom of wearing the tartan of our own choice.

[Jerry]

I've said this before, but even though I have been told this by clan websites, and even by the chief of clan MacNeil. I prefer to wear the tartans to which I have a connection, or general use tartans such as "Black Watch" and district tartans.

[Graham]

I share that preference too, it's even more special when a tartan has your own clan connection. So often I get asked if my kilt is "my family tartan", I find it a little embarrassing when I have say that it is not. However, the article does endorse a certain liberty.

[beverlonian]

I consider myself very fortunate in that my favourite tartan happens to be the one my name is a sept of (MacNeil of Barra). Hopefully I'll get to Barra one day for a holiday.

[macwilkin]

Graham,

I agree with Matt's general stance in the article, but I would add a "friendly amendment" to your post, if I may. Another article that appears on Matt's web site has this to say about a person's choice of tartan:

When you wear a particular tartan, you are identifying yourself with whatever that tartan represents.

I think the majority of us on the board who are "traditionalists" agree with Matt's statement that which tartan you wear is a personal choice, but I also strongly agree with Matt's statement above: you are identifying yourself with whatever that tartan represents, so it's best to know the history behind the tartan and not just say, "I like the colours."

For instance, I do presentations on Alexander Mackenzie, the Scot from Stornoway who was the first to reach the Pacific Ocean by land in 1793, some 13 years before Lewis & Clark. I would love to wear a Mackenzie tartan to honour Alex Mac and I certainly feel it would be appropriate to do so, since I am educating people about this Mackenzie's achievements and historic voyage. I could also wear the Muir tartan because of my work as a Park Ranger, since Scotsman John Muir was so active in supporting the National Parks and their efforts to protect our Natural treasures.

So, Jimmy's mantra is once again appropriate: know your tartan!

Cheers,

T.[/b]

[Mike n NC]

KISS, keep it simple...

Wear what ya like, like what ya wear.

Mike

[Blu (Ontario)]

Good Post! I also think it's nice to to have some connection to the tartan you wear... but not mandatory. Interestingly, this whole issue seems to concern men only. Do folks in general expect women to know about the significance or history of the tartans they wear?

[macwilkin]

Do folks in general expect women to know about the significance or history of the tartans they wear?

The women members of our St. Andrew's Society certainly do -- our President is a MacLeod of Harris, and she can recite "chapter & verse" of MacLeod history whenever anyone asks her what her tartan is! (interestingly, she was born in Recife, Brazil, and has dual US/Brazilian citizenship -- her parents are missionaries)

My wife also tells anyone who asks her about the Nova Scotia tartan and how it represents the Acadians as well as the Scots.

Given my experience with genealogy and genealogical socities in particular, women tend to be more aware of family heritage and are very knowledgeable about such things.

Cheers,

T.

[Graham]

Thanks cajunscot for that addition, Matt seems to speak with balance and authority on the topic doesn't he!

[macwilkin]

Matt is one of the top tartan scholars INMHO, along with Brian Wilton of the STA and Jamie Scarlett. He certainly is a resource that should be examined by anyone interested in the kilt, tartan, and Scottish attire.

Two web sites for Matt:

www.scottishtartans.org
www.albanach.org

Both worth perusing!

Cheers,

T.