prohibited tartans

**claughmohr** · 2nd January 10, 09:56 AM

I can speak on the Lord of the Isles Green as I am a Clan Officer and have heard this straight from the lips of the Clan Chief the MacDonald of MacDonald. This is his personal tartan, he will grant permission to any Clan member wishing to wear this tartan, if they request such permission from him. This has been put out at various AGM's, Chief's Tours and other assorted Clan gatherings. I do have to render an a mea culpa concerning the military tartans-I had been misinformed regarding their official status.
I knew the Army tartan was officially recognized, I believe 2 years ago, so this is very new in the scheme of things. It is able to be worn with the Army Uniform with the consent and approval of the Base Commander-per current uniform regulations. I knew this for sure about the Army as I am an Army Veteran and am looking to order my next kilt in the Army tartan-the supplier wants a DD 214 or other proof that I was an Army veteran. The reason behind the official status is related to the increasing usage of bagpipes being played at memorial services and military funerals. There are fewer and fewer buglers around and as they become ever more scarce, many of us are looking to the bagpipes as a way of rendering honors to a fallen warrior. The prerecorded notes on the imitation bugle seem disrespectful to many of us, and a live piper brings a certain dignity to the event.
Another military tartan, which is restricted is the Special Forces Tartan-I am not sure if that is due to an official status or because it is held exclusively by a private organization-I do know that a DD 214 or current evidence of service in an SF Unit is required to order this tartan. The piper for my Legion post is a retired SF CSM and was complaining about having to track down his 214 so he could get a kilt made in it.
I am interested in any information concerning the Military tartans as I am a Legion District Vice-Commander and have a Post in the District forming a kilted honor guard and they want the members kilted in the tartans of their service.

**madman79764** · 2nd January 10, 10:04 AM

Originally Posted by claughmohr

The US military tartans are restricted to veterans and active duty members of the various branches, you might need to show a DD 214 to gain access to these tartans. MacDonald tartans are open to any person of the Clan, excluding Lord of the Isles Green, this is restricted to the Clan Chief and his family and can be used with special permission. Again in the US we are not bound by many of these restrictions due to 7/4/1776, but it is in our best interest to respect the clans and persons associated with the tartans.

As a Navy Veteran I did some research and according to the Scottish Register of Tartans there are no restrictions on the military tartans. And if what I found is correct it is more of a etiquette and manners subject by that I am referring to if you did not serve, you should not wear the Navy or Marine Corp tartan just as an example. However, since there is no restriction noted no permission is needed.

**Moski** · 2nd January 10, 01:26 PM

Okay, so far we have fwiw, almost no chiefs who have called for restrictions on their tartans. The few mentioned are not at all of interest to me.

**Red Stag** · 2nd January 10, 02:32 PM

Are there any restrictions on any of the solid color kilts? I was looking at an Irish Saffron from Stillwater Kilts...

**Jock Scot** · 2nd January 10, 02:42 PM

Originally Posted by Red Stag

Are there any restrictions on any of the solid color kilts? I was looking at an Irish Saffron from Stillwater Kilts...

I stand to be corrected here,but as far as I am aware there are no restrictions on solid colour kilts.

**McMurdo** · 2nd January 10, 03:03 PM

Originally Posted by Red Stag

Are there any restrictions on any of the solid color kilts? I was looking at an Irish Saffron from Stillwater Kilts...

None that I'm aware of

**Red Stag** · 2nd January 10, 04:18 PM

Originally Posted by Jock Scot

I stand to be corrected here,but as far as I am aware there are no restrictions on solid colour kilts.

Originally Posted by McMurdo

None that I'm aware of

Yay!

**PEEDYC** · 3rd January 10, 06:17 AM

Originally Posted by M. A. C. Newsome

So if you are a Campbell and wish to wear a tartan recognized by your cheif, you should be able to do so easily. The popular Campbell of Argyle tartan is by no means the only one available.

I did not mean to suggest that the Campbell of Argyle that I wear is the only one available as you correctly pointed out. The one readily available has yellow as part of the pattern. Although it appears in the tartan registry it is not recognised by the Campbell (Argyle) clan. My ancestory is via Argyle Campbells and as there is a plaid available with the Argyle name I chose it despite it not being a recognised CLAN tartan. It was worn with pride at Hogmanay. I also wear the Campbell Family tartan. There are 37 Campbell tartans registered. It is a wonder anyone can chose other than by colour and pattern preference.

**Deil the Yin** · 3rd January 10, 10:23 AM

Sir Malcolm MacGregor has made it plain that the tartan often called Hunting MacGregor is really MacGregor of Cardney and should only be worn by those descended of that household, though it is easily obtained with no special permission in modern, ancient and weathered colours. As the story is told, the knowledge of this tartan's history as reported by Sir Malcolm's father was ignored by one of the Tartan Societies(?) recording such things and thus ended up as a common tartan.

You can find the Chiefs letters on the MacGregor website here.

Regards,
Wesley

**St. Amish** · 3rd January 10, 12:48 PM

Originally Posted by Moski

My original post (from a cell phone) was to determine if a chief as said "no go" just so I can Definately tell any kilt police why they are wrong and where they can store their opinion for safe keeping (as in away from me). As "gentelman of a most certain tan" many uninformed persons automaticly take the position that I have "Absolutely NO RIGHT to wear a Tartan Kilt" since I'm obviously not of Scottish descent.

My nephew, who inherits Scottish blood from his mother, my sister, looks more the part of his Filipino father. If he were to kilt up and walk down the street, who would have the right to tell him that he's "obviously not Scottish"? On the very same token, no one would be able to tell if he were MacDonald of ClanRanald or Stewart.

People have no way of knowing what your reasons are for kilting up, or what your ancestry is or is not. Don't let ignorance keep you from kilting, or wearing the tartan that you feel is the right one. Everyone, and I mean EVERYONE who sees you kilted will have an opinion about it. The only one that matters is yours.