Allowed tartans

[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.