Allowed tartans

**Captain** · 17th August 07, 07:31 AM

I think the whole issue boils down to respect. And not just respect for your tartan, but respect for the views of other kilt wearers... I personally enjoy having a connection to a tartan that I buy... but I don't HAVE to have it, it's just an added bonus. I do however try to at least know some history behind a tartan I might wish to purchase... But the big thing is... I don't really care what any other kilt wearer wants to do. If you want to only wear the tartan(s) associated with your clan, fine by me. If you want to wear every tartan ever conceived because you think they're all beautiful and you have not one bit of knowledge about Celtic history other than a few stats about Boston's basketball team and what you could glean from Braveheart, good on ya. If you want to wear whichever tartans look good on you and you respectfully learn a little bit about each one, I applaud you. All I ask for in return is the same. Why in the world should we tear each other down about who is allowed and not allowed to wear a tartan, when we're all promoting Scottish pride and kilt wearing?

**Peter C.** · 17th August 07, 10:09 AM

Originally Posted by Captain

I think the whole issue boils down to respect. And not just respect for your tartan, but respect for the views of other kilt wearers... I personally enjoy having a connection to a tartan that I buy... but I don't HAVE to have it, it's just an added bonus. I do however try to at least know some history behind a tartan I might wish to purchase... But the big thing is... I don't really care what any other kilt wearer wants to do. If you want to only wear the tartan(s) associated with your clan, fine by me. If you want to wear every tartan ever conceived because you think they're all beautiful and you have not one bit of knowledge about Celtic history other than a few stats about Boston's basketball team and what you could glean from Braveheart, good on ya. If you want to wear whichever tartans look good on you and you respectfully learn a little bit about each one, I applaud you. All I ask for in return is the same. Why in the world should we tear each other down about who is allowed and not allowed to wear a tartan, when we're all promoting Scottish pride and kilt wearing?

Very well said Captain.

Peter

**Don Patrick** · 19th August 07, 03:57 PM

Originally Posted by James

Maybe there are not rules, but there are conventions

I'm speaking from memory and will probably put my foot in my mouth, but...

I understand the Clan Chief is entitled to make the rules concerning their tartan. The Standing Chiefs of the Scottish Clans have stipulated that it is acceptable for those with matching family names to wear the like tartan. They go on to say the wearing of the tartan means that the wearer gives their allegiance to the chief. Allegiance is a duty of fidelity said to be owed by a subject or a citizen to his state or sovereign. In that sense it represents the feudal liege homage, which could be due only to one lord. So much for wearing more than one clan's tartan.

I note that this thread got really hot. I for one believe that the wearing of the tartan should be merited in some form or factor. ...but I also believe that if someone wanted to wear a tartan bad enough - more power to them.

Understand I'm a novice at all of this as well. I've yet to wear my first tartan. Only eight more weeks to go though.

**bjproc** · 12th December 07, 04:58 PM

Hi, new here & i've just read this thread from start to finish, good reading & a lot of information

what got me to join was the association of the black watch and the southerland highlanders?, was this when they first came about ?

for me, the black watch is associated with perthshire.

any further info on this wold be appreciated.

i'm also amazed how much people, not from scotland are into there tartan/clans (not that i'm saying it should only be for scottish folk, i may add

)

**Monkey@Arms** · 12th December 07, 05:31 PM

Originally Posted by bjproc

Hi, new here & i've just read this thread from start to finish, good reading & a lot of information

what got me to join was the association of the black watch and the southerland highlanders?, was this when they first came about ?

for me, the black watch is associated with perthshire.

any further info on this wold be appreciated.

i'm also amazed how much people, not from scotland are into there tartan/clans (not that i'm saying it should only be for scottish folk, i may add

)

Hi bjproc, welcome to X-Marks.

In regards to the Black Watch and The Sutherlands, there was recently a discussion about the two in this thread.

Hmmm, Forfar bridies.

Best regards,

Jake

**bjproc** · 12th December 07, 05:37 PM

Originally Posted by Monkey@Arms

Hi bjproc, welcome to X-Marks.

In regards to the Black Watch and The Sutherlands, there was recently a discussion about the two in this thread.

Hmmm, Forfar bridies.

Best regards,

Jake

thanks for the welcome Jake

aye, threir good, but give you heartburn

**kiltedsawyer** · 12th December 07, 07:32 PM

Follow your own rules......just don't impose them on others!
Respectfully,
David

**slohairt** · 14th December 07, 11:57 PM

Indeed, follow your own rules.

On the issue of clans and chiefs, I am somewhat torn. I understand the sense of community one feels from a clan, but I dislike the idea of clan chiefs. Especially hereditary ones. Considering the way the clan system ended in both the Highlands of Scotland and in Ireland, I am surprised that anyone would feel kinship towards an office which more often than not, betrayed them (Scotland) or abandoned them (Ireland).

Instead, I think a clan association with an elected chief would be infinitely preferable.

**macwilkin** · 15th December 07, 05:10 AM

Originally Posted by slohairt

Indeed, follow your own rules.

On the issue of clans and chiefs, I am somewhat torn. I understand the sense of community one feels from a clan, but I dislike the idea of clan chiefs. Especially hereditary ones. Considering the way the clan system ended in both the Highlands of Scotland and in Ireland, I am surprised that anyone would feel kinship towards an office which more often than not, betrayed them (Scotland) or abandoned them (Ireland).

Instead, I think a clan association with an elected chief would be infinitely preferable.

You're making unfair generalizations. Not every chief betrayed their clansmen, although I'm not denying some did. And as a historian, one of the first rules I learned was not to judge either people in the past by modern standards, or modern-day persons because of the actions of their ancestors.

And as far as Irish Chiefs go, well, that's a bit of a "sticky wicket" after the MacCarthy Mor Hoax back in the late '90s:

http://homepage.eircom.net/~seanjmurphy/chiefs/

Todd

**Don Patrick** · 15th December 07, 01:13 PM

Originally Posted by beloitpiper

Perhaps this has already been discussed, but I was wondering what everybody's opinion was on wearing tartans. Some people buy whatever tartan they think looks pretty. Others buy only their family's or clan's tartan. What do you think?

I personally believe that one should wear only his own tartan (clan's tartan) or an acceptable common tartan (national tartans). It upsets me that Gordon Dress is such a popular tartan, but a vast majority of those wearing it are not Gordons or a sept of Gordon (as I am). I also believe that Black Watch should be restricted to Black Watch soldiers and family of the Black Watch. If somebody cannot find their family, either buy a Royal Stuart or a national tartan and be done with it. Don't parade around in somebody else's colors!

I agree.