My response was that I thought I'd be polite and ask, but obviously no such thing is truly necessary
Alan -- You were simply following protocol. Most Clan socities are more than happy for someone to choose to wear their tartan, and would most likely give the same response as the MacNaughtons did, but I believe you did the right thing by asking first. It may not be necessary, but it's good manners. I particulary like the last sentence in their response:

"It is just common sense that a person wears a tartan that they can identify with, of which you can."

Notice that they didn't say you had to be a MacNaughton by blood or name, but just that you identified with the tartan in some way. That's what many of us have been saying -- Jimmy's mantra -- know your tartan!

As far as the Oakleigh tartan, l looked on the Tartan index on the Tartans Authority's web site, and I could not find anything. Same with the Tartans of Scotland's index. Where did you find your reference? I'm wondering if it a "fashion" or "personal" tartan.

Cheers,

Todd