Ponderings of an ancient Scot.

[NewEnglander]

In all seriousness, it all comes down to knowledge and education about the subject. If I had state tartans to show people (at a 'regular' price), it would open their eyes to brand new possibilities and excite them about new tartans they'd have a connection to.

I know I'd be all about buying a kilt in the tartan of my home state and the states where I lived for any length of time. But until then I'll stick with the tartan of my ancestors (albeit just some of them).

[davedove]

I think before any movement away from clan tartans takes place a general change in mindset must take place.

When most people (those outside this and similar forums) begin to look at the kilt and a tartan they have some general beliefs (right or wrong). They see the kilt as a Scottish garment and believe that to wear the kilt it must be made in one of the traditional clan tartans. They also believe that to wear a particular tartan, they must have a link to the clan it represents (no matter how nebulous). Thus they will try to find the clan tartan for which they can find the closest link.

Now, I have a MacIan tartan because it was my closest link (my grandmother was a McKean). I still wear it occasionally, but I'm finding that I wear other kilts because of closer links - my US Army tartan and my personal Dove tartan. I also have to say that I find myself wearing the dove tartan more than others, because it means more to me.