Wearing a tartan if not Celtic heritage

[gilmore]

Isle of Skye is indeed beautiful, but I don't wear it, not have any connection to that island.

[2176agp]

As you say you have NO scottish connection. have a look at Isle of Skye.

Hey! Thanks a bunch. I looked at it, and that's the one that will be be for kilt number 2. Its perfect and will look superb as formal wear.

As you are in North America, speak to, or email Freedom Kilts or USA kilts through the sponsors links on here for the real deal and more info regarding pricing.

Been there, looked, and am now gathering up cans and bottles to turn in for deposit return to fund it!

Tony

[Mac Ghille Sheathanaich]

What is your family name? Or your ancestors' names? You may have more Celt in you than you realize.

Fide et Fortitudine, aye!

T.

[Phil]

Not being a Scot, I feel it is a privilege to wear a kilt. My wife and I talked about me getting a tartan one for dress wear. Because tartans are associated with families and I have no wish to offend -- I assume it wouldn't be polite to wear a particular clan's tartan when one is not of that family or heritage -- what could I wear?

Right Tony. First of all I believe there is far too much reticence on your side of the pond about upsetting people by wearing their tartan. This is an inhibition that you must get under control before going to a good website such as the Scottish Tartans Authority and trolling through there until you find a few tartans you really like. Then you make a final decision and provided it is not one of the very few restricted tartans, go along to a good kiltmaker and have a kilt made in that tartan. Wear it with pride and know which tartan it is if anyone asks you, you could even throw in that it was your granny's tartan if you feel you must.

[Jock Scot]

Isle of Skye is indeed beautiful, but I don't wear it, not have any connection to that island.

Gosh that is an interesting comment. I have not ever thought that the Isle of Skye tartan, a fashion tartan, would give the slant that you have put on it. Still, each to their own.

[Jock Scot]

Right Tony. First of all I believe there is far too much reticence on your side of the pond about upsetting people by wearing their tartan. This is an inhibition that you must get under control before going to a good website such as the Scottish Tartans Authority and trolling through there until you find a few tartans you really like. Then you make a final decision and provided it is not one of the very few restricted tartans, go along to a good kiltmaker and have a kilt made in that tartan. Wear it with pride and know which tartan it is if anyone asks you, you could even throw in that it was your granny's tartan if you feel you must.

You are so right Phil.

[JRB]

Right Tony. First of all I believe there is far too much reticence on your side of the pond about upsetting people by wearing their tartan. This is an inhibition that you must get under control before going to a good website such as the Scottish Tartans Authority and trolling through there until you find a few tartans you really like. Then you make a final decision and provided it is not one of the very few restricted tartans, go along to a good kiltmaker and have a kilt made in that tartan. Wear it with pride and know which tartan it is if anyone asks you, you could even throw in that it was your granny's tartan if you feel you must.

Your comment makes me wonder. Has anyone here ever encountered a Scot (or anyone else, for that matter) who was genuinly offended or upset at the sight of someone wearing a specific clan tartan who was not "entitled" to wear it? Other than the restricted tartans you mentioned I've never seen or heard of such an incident myself.

[lasrl]

I'd look into your family tree more carefully, as there may be a tartan to which you have a claim to wear. Also, I wouldn't limit myself to Scottish ancestory: you may have Irish or Welsh Ancestry as well.

If that fails, then I would go for a Universal Tartans that you find makes the most sense. Remember, there are also no tartan police to worry about.....but you wouldn't want to offend your forefathers if you descend from a kilted family line.

[Jock Scot]

Your comment makes me wonder. Has anyone here ever encountered a Scot (or anyone else, for that matter) who was genuinly offended or upset at the sight of someone wearing a specific clan tartan who was not "entitled" to wear it? Other than the restricted tartans you mentioned I've never seen or heard of such an incident myself.

Not unless they are drunk and then very occasionally a wee bit of inter-clan leg pulling can get out of hand. We are too polite in the Highlands to ask,we do observe though and the wearing of more than one tartan,without good reason, will be noted ,but not ever mentioned.We would just assume it was another visitor with a case full of kilts, who does not know the form. A raising of the eyebrow,a look, a shrug of the shoulders, a wry smile is all you would get, all very discreetly done I might add.

[Bugbear]

Right Tony. First of all I believe there is far too much reticence on your side of the pond about upsetting people by wearing their tartan. This is an inhibition that you must get under control before going to a good website such as the Scottish Tartans Authority and trolling through there until you find a few tartans you really like. Then you make a final decision and provided it is not one of the very few restricted tartans, go along to a good kiltmaker and have a kilt made in that tartan. Wear it with pride and know which tartan it is if anyone asks you, you could even throw in that it was your granny's tartan if you feel you must.

Um... There are quite a few... non-clan tartans there at the Scottish Tartans Authority. Many that represent things like areas and groups.