prohibited tartans

[macwilkin]

Part of it (at least for me) is that there really aren't any ties from me to the old country. Sure, I can trace geneaology back to Lanarkshire, Scotland, and County Clare Ireland, and Bern, Switzerland and dozens of other places. But, all the culture I grew up with are a mix of South Dakota farmer and ex-military and Northern Mexico/Arizonian traditions and influences.

So, although it would be nice to say, "I support Laird X and clan Y", the fact is, that I know nothing about them or their relative histories, or where my various family connections would fit with importance. So, I dabble. Was my family particularly Frame? Should I go with Burnett because it is closer to my name (and there are ties)? stay with the wife's connections?

How does one, without any historical precedence, choose? I can't speak for others, but this is what I went through when having my first kilt made.

As a side-note, there aren't any local groups tied to any of the clans/houses I'm tied to. So, it is pretty much entirely up to me.

I see several of options open to you:

First & foremost, the state where you reside has its own tartan, and a very active Scottish community. Arizona also has an official tartan that you might choose. You might also choose one of the Irish county tartans for Co. Clare, and I believe there was a Swiss tartan designed several years ago.

There are also two fashion tartans named for Lanarkshire in the Scottish Register of Tartans.

So there you go.

T.