Wearing Black Watch kilt in Scotland (?)

**Foxgun Tom** · 22nd October 06, 08:27 AM

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**Tartan Hiker** · 22nd October 06, 08:39 AM

Excellent! Thanks, Tom.

**Roan Carter** · 22nd October 06, 06:48 PM

LOL, I saw a guy wearing a Black Watch tartan shirt tonight at Shoney's. I suppose he just thought it was a handsome pattern. (And that it is!)

But it just goes to show that tartans are taken with a pretty relaxed attitude anymore ...

**Riverkilt** · 22nd October 06, 10:33 PM

Since my grandfather Murdoch Macdonald is long dead you should be safe.

Were he still with us he'd twist your ear with his view of history regarding the Campbells and Macdonalds...

Enjoy your trip and buy some more kilts while you're over there.

Ron

**Pour1Malt** · 29th October 06, 04:40 AM

nay problem!

**Chef** · 29th October 06, 06:05 AM

OK, I will be the odd man out on this one. I know people do it but I must admit I don't like the idea of wearing a BW kilt if you didn't serve with them and I know many who would agree. It is the same to me as wearing a school, university, regimental, or organizational tie when you have no connection. Now I know that the BW is overused in Scotland and I don't have a problem with a pair of trousers or a jacket (something that is not a military issue item) but I wouldn't wear a BW kilt. The very same as I wouldn't wear an insignia from a part of the service I didn't serve in.

I bought an Other Ranks BW sporran for very fancy occaisions, but I removed the BW sporrran badge and replaced it with a Masonic one because I did not feel comfortable.

You can obviously wear what you want and I mean no offence, but I believe there is something to be said for symbols you earn the right to wear rather than purchase.

PS. Yes I am ex-military.

**Monkey@Arms** · 29th October 06, 03:39 PM

Originally Posted by Chef

OK, I will be the odd man out on this one. I know people do it but I must admit I don't like the idea of wearing a BW kilt if you didn't serve with them and I know many who would agree. It is the same to me as wearing a school, university, regimental, or organizational tie when you have no connection. Now I know that the BW is overused in Scotland and I don't have a problem with a pair of trousers or a jacket (something that is not a military issue item) but I wouldn't wear a BW kilt. The very same as I wouldn't wear an insignia from a part of the service I didn't serve in.

I bought an Other Ranks BW sporran for very fancy occaisions, but I removed the BW sporrran badge and replaced it with a Masonic one because I did not feel comfortable.

You can obviously wear what you want and I mean no offence, but I believe there is something to be said for symbols you earn the right to wear rather than purchase.

PS. Yes I am ex-military.

Hmm, your entitled to your opinion, but tell me, how do you know if the tartan in question is Black Watch, Campbell, Hunting Grant, Hunting Munro, or the Sutherland District tartan. :confused: They are all the same.

Best regards,

Jake

**Chef** · 29th October 06, 05:11 PM

Originally Posted by Monkey@Arms

Hmm, your entitled to your opinion, but tell me, how do you know if the tartan in question is Black Watch, Campbell, Hunting Grant, Hunting Munro, or the Sutherland District tartan. :confused: They are all the same.

Best regards,

Jake

I only know for which he claims it to be.

**bobomacintosh** · 30th October 06, 03:19 AM

The view in Scotland seems to be that its the government tartan and as such can be worn by any UK subject. I'm sure that also covers citizens of Her Majesty's former colonies.

In the circumstances you'd expect the Scottish Nationalist Party to object to it and I would advise against wearing it to an SNP rally. Otherwise I'd think you would be fine.

**macwilkin** · 30th October 06, 04:13 AM

Originally Posted by bobomacintosh

The view in Scotland seems to be that its the government tartan and as such can be worn by any UK subject. I'm sure that also covers citizens of Her Majesty's former colonies.

In the circumstances you'd expect the Scottish Nationalist Party to object to it and I would advise against wearing it to an SNP rally. Otherwise I'd think you would be fine.

Have to point out something here: Yes, the Black Watch is also known as the "Government Sett", in reference to it being a military tartan. It was also known in the military as a "universal" tartan, as at one time, it was worn by a number of Scottish Regiments, and not just the Black Watch. For years the government tried and failed to adopt a single military tartan (for economy's sake, of course) that all Scottish regiments could wear -- until the creation of the Royal Regiment of Scotland in 2006.

The term "universal" appears to have caused the confusion that the Government Sett is somehow "universal" in regards to everyone wearing it.

And in regards to the SNP: they [the SNP] recently endorsed and supported the Save the Scottish Regiments campaign to prevent the amalgamation of the six Scottish Regiments, so they can't object too much to the Government Sett! :mrgreen:

Regards,

Todd