Ponderings of an ancient Scot.

[Jock Scot]

I am sorry every one, the post above started off life with distinct paragraphs. Some how, they seem to have disappeared!That was not my intention. Ho hum!

[Sir William]

I am sorry every one, the post above started off life with distinct paragraphs. Some how, they seem to have disappeared!That was not my intention. Ho hum!

And here I was thinking senility had finally set in...

Jock, I think the non-Scots tartans were partly designed with the intent that anyone could wear them. Americans have a need to belong to something - which is one reason we have some many differerent clubs, associations, societies, etc, and we like to wear the group's crest, symbol or insignia.

However, I suspect that those who are of Scottish descent, no matter how distant, will probably continue to find their "clan" tartan to wear. I've noted that many Americans, probably because we are all relatively new-comers to the continent, have a need to identify with their past - they want to know where their family came from before getting off the boat.

There is something about the Scots that is very appealing and thus many Americans want to find some kind of connection, no matter how tenuous, so they can wear their "clan" tartan. If they can link themselves to more than one clan, so much the better.

I can understand and appreciate your sentiments, but I doubt it'll happen. In fact, I would suggest just the opposite - as people become more distant from their past the need to identify with it will become stronger. But the non-clan tartans, particularly those that are associated with organizations, such as the US military tartans, will also grow in popularity.