Allowed tartans

[O'Cathain]

T.

You're right. I inadvertantly played devils advocate to make my point (without realizing it),. Since I have less than 30 posts, I felt it would be more substantial coming from someone more knowledgable and experienced. But, what I don't understand is why do people frown on others wearing their clan tartan and freely give of their district or regiment? Is it tradition vs history?

My boss is kicking me out because the office is locking up. I want to learn more on this subject. I can't give enough praise to X Marks, the support gave me courage to wear a kilt. For that I say thank you.

[macwilkin]

T.

You're right. I inadvertantly played devils advocate to make my point (without realizing it),. Since I have less than 30 posts, I felt it would be more substantial coming from someone more knowledgable and experienced. But, what I don't understand is why do people frown on others wearing their clan tartan and freely give of their district or regiment? Is it tradition vs history?

My boss is kicking me out because the office is locking up. I want to learn more on this subject. I can't give enough praise to X Marks, the support gave me courage to wear a kilt. For that I say thank you.

Again, I think folks are assuming because someone only wears tartans they have an association with, they are somehow saying that those who wear tartans without that connection are somehow in the wrong. That's not the case at all.

For example, I would not wear a California tartan, because I don't have a connection to the state, but I would wear the Arizona, because my Dad's family are from there. I like the personal connection, but again, that's just me.

Read Matt's article about district tartans. That will help explain a lot.

Regimental tartans are another matter entirely, INMHO.

T.

[RK-REX]

The write up is very enlightening and IMO would be good to have placed in a sticky thread or someplace on Xmarks to help newbies find out more about tartan choice. Also while reading the piece, I realized that I do have a tartan I can wear for a better reason then I like the colors. My wife's family is from County Galway, Ireland which does have a district/county tartan.

I think I just made my decision on what tartan my first real tank will be made from.

[O'Cathain]

Don't parade around in somebody else's colors!

Todd,

This is what I was basing my opinion on and a few other comments like it.

But after reading and rereading this thread, I'm more enlightened and have come to the realization that the thread is more about knowledge and respect for the tartan you are choosing to wear. I think those of us who do pick a tartan because they like the colors do the research and maybe find some sort of connection after the fact. IMO, I think it's okay to pick a tartan based on the colors. Insted of judging someone because they don't know about the tartan they are wearing, educate them and they may find out they have a connection to it. Isn't educating and informing a big part of X Marks purpose?

There is a wide spectrum of kilt wearers on X Marks, from all walks of life. The common thing we have is the kilt.

Steve

[macwilkin]

Todd,

This is what I was basing my opinion on and a few other comments like it.

But after reading and rereading this thread, I'm more enlightened and have come to the realization that the thread is more about knowledge and respect for the tartan you are choosing to wear. I think those of us who do pick a tartan because they like the colors do the research and maybe find some sort of connection after the fact. IMO, I think it's okay to pick a tartan based on the colors. Insted of judging someone because they don't know about the tartan they are wearing, educate them and they may find out they have a connection to it. Isn't educating and informing a big part of X Marks purpose?

There is a wide spectrum of kilt wearers on X Marks, from all walks of life. The common thing we have is the kilt.

Steve

Steve,

I would agree with that; education is always a good thing.

T.

[Ozman1944]

Tartan 'Tradition' reminds me of a sign that appeared at a well-known University;

"There is a tradition here that Students never walk on the front lawn;
This tradition began as of 9.oo am this morning".

This is not really a life & death situation; We Celts will not disappear because the Sassenach now wears "our" tartan. Spread the 'Gospel' I reckon. The more Kilts the more comfort for men in general.

[auld argonian]

Can we enumerate the ways in which one has a connection to a tartan?

Best

AA

[macwilkin]

Can we enumerate the ways in which one has a connection to a tartan?

Best

AA

The old saying my MIL uses in regards to "Who is a Cajun?" would be an appropriate answer:

"By the blood, by the ring and by the back door."



T.

[MacWage]

THE reason that many of the unnamed tartans are "Wilsons" is that one of/the premier tartan weaver of the late 18th/early 19th century was Wilson and Sons of Bannokburn (near Stirling and the site of a rather significant famous battle). He/They was one of the first to name tartans after clans and was the "go to" firm for clan chiefs to ID "their" tartans or to weave ones "found" in the clan territories. Earlier, Wilson's used numbers to ID the tartans,but names were more romantic and sold better. Many Wilson's tartans are now clan tartans. Some in the early Wilsons sample books are actually DIFFERENT clan tartans than those known today and some are even DIFFERENT clans entirely. Thus, many tartans were made and sold by the firm that are historical, but now "un-linked" to a particular association.

Be warned though, SOME tartans are legally restricted to certain persons, such as a golf club's members or some particular clan tartans, like that of Harden of Cowenknowles. For the latter, MAKE SURE you get PERMISSION first. Most, fortunately, are not so restricted.

That said, think of tartans as team colors. If I was an NFL (American Football) fan and pulled for the Atlanta Falcons, I would wear red, black, and silver. For the Green Bay Packers, I would wear green and yellow. A friend of mine is a BIG Buffalo Bills fan. Once he wore a pullover that was orange and green. I kidded him about wearing Miami Dolphins (the Bills biggest rival) colors and he LITERALLY removed the shirt and BURNED IT in front of me. For Brits, think Liverpool and Manchester or Rangers and Celtic.

If you wear a tartan, you are supporting what that tartan represents (clan, region, group, et cetera). Most tartan/kilt wearers know this innately, others are clueless (most of the latter never find this forum, much less join). Be prepared to know the tartan, what it means/represents, and a logical/reasonable rational for wearing that tartan.

WOW!!!!!
NOW I remember this thread from a year ago. It is interesting reading the flow of the thread.

I STILL hold to the above sports analogy.
The Tartans are only a couple hundred years old in clan associations, but those associations are VERY stong.
When one wears ANY tartan, they are associating themselves with the meaning of that tartan.

Now, a year later, I now own box pleat kilts in: "Jedi" (Greenville 2006), Caledonia, Carolina, and 13 oz X Marks, am working on MacNeil, USA Bicent. (for completion by July 4th), and Wallace, and have Gordon and 16 oz X marks on the way, plus a "wish-list" that will make over 20 kilts when/if I get them all. ALL 20 have specific and special meaning FOR ME. None are chosen "for the colors" and all have "ties" in some form or fashion. I STILL do not own a solid kilt (though I have canvas and wool to make some, though the wool has become balmorals/tams/bonnets).
I STILL have a number of belted plaids, but I have worn only one ONCE in the last year.

Interesting thread to revive. I enjoyed reading it. Thanks.

[Fedgunner]

Can we enumerate the ways in which one has a connection to a tartan?

Best

AA

This could be fun and pokes my sense of humor.

Tartan:

Brown, Mum, Grandad, GGdad, all Browns
MacMillan, Brown is a sept of the MacMillan Clan
Lamont, Also claims the Browns
Lochaber District, The Browns are asscoiated with the MacMillans in that area originally.
Campbell By marriage
US Army I am a veteran
German National Dad's side
Dutch National Gmum's side
Irish National Dad's side again
Welsh National Wife's GGdad
Holyrood Grandad Walter Brown was a Deacon in the church. Holyrood Abby has as one of the founders a Walterus Brown. (coincidence? I think not! )


It's easy to find tartans to enjoy!
Personally I like tartans I can associate with.(Even if I have to play it fast and loose)
If someone wants to wear a tartan because they enjoy the look, I'd say go for it. (But I would at a minimum expect the wearer to be able to name the tartan.)