Questions on wearing Stewart tartans

[macwilkin]

I suppose, then that the real, key question might be who or what determines whether any given tartan is universal or not... Really, what makes a tartan universal?

Part of the problem is the word "universal"; As we all know, the Government Sett (Black Watch) is a "universal" tartan, but the term did not have the same meaning in the late 19th century.

The Black Watch was a "universal" tartan in the fact that it was at one time issued to all Lowland regiments under The Sec. of State for War. The Hon. H.C.E. Childers. Many of the Lowland regiments had not adopted Highland kit until this time. The Lowland Jocks referred to the tartan as the "Childers" or "MacChilders" tartan, and soon began to adopt other tartans -- Hunting Stewart (Royal Scots), Douglas (Cameronians/Scottish Rifles), Leslie (K.O.S.B.), Erskine (Royal Scots Fusiliers), etc.

-- http://www.scottishmilitaryarticles....le_tartans.htm

Regards,

Todd