Can anyone wear any tartan?

[macwilkin]

I would certainly agree, however that said, I do not believe the list of tartans they compiled was intended to establish certain tartans as "belonging" to certain clans. While some of the names of the tartans were clan names, some on the Wilson's list were not, or had only numbers. I have seen nothing that convinces me that tartans belong to a particular clan in any sort of quasi-heraldic sense was wide spread prior to English Monarchs in the 19th century pushing their romantic notions of Highland life.

Geoff Withnell

To be fair, though, it wasn't just an English monarch, it was a British monarch. Remember, James I was James VI of Scotland first, and the Act of Union had been in place since 1707. Many Highland chiefs were embracing the myth just as enthusiastically as the "English" monarchs.

The point that some seem to be missing is (save Gil) is that the tradition of tartans being associated with clans has been around for some time now. As Matt notes, regardless of the history -- Wilson's, the Sobeski Brothers, George VI's 1822 visit, etc. -- a tradition has been established that certain tartans are associated and recognised with certain clans.

Matt's article on the sources of tartan explains it far better than I can, though:

http://www.albanach.org/sources.htm

Of course the sept lists are suspect -- almost all of the noted tartan scholars agree -- but why cut our nose off to spite our face? The real story of clan tartans does not diminish, in my opinion, the symbolism they have developed since the early 19th century.

Does that mean you can wear "my" clan's tartan? By all means, be my guest. Our society supports a pipe band in Scotland that does, and I doubt the members are all Cummings. Personally, I only wear tartans I have a personal connection to, be it a clan/district/state, etc. But that's just me. If kilts are about "freedom", as many espouse here, then one freedom which must be respected is the freedom to follow custom and tradition.

Regards,

Todd