Ponderings of an ancient Scot.

[Tobus]

Something I haven't seen mentioned yet (if it has and I missed it, I apologize)...

The "clan tartans", as I understand it, weren't really clan tartans until after the clan system was pretty much destroyed. Before that, people wore whatever tartan they happened to like.

Why would the future be any different? Why should it?

The entire discussion has revolved around the concept that clan tartans are (or should be) kept for use by Scots who are affiliated with a particular clan. But it wasn't that way to begin with, and at this point I really don't see it ever going back. That particular genie is long since out of the bottle. Assigning significance to a tartan is a relatively new (post-clan-heyday) concept.

If we're reaching into the future, though, to project what we'd like to see, I would very much like to see the kilt become more commonplace in society with the new tartans gaining widespread recognition for their significance. In 30 years, let's say, I'd like to be visiting another US State wearing a Texas tartan kilt and have people know that I'm from Texas. Will that happen? Probably not. But one can dream.

Another thing Jock Scot mentioned is the question of why anyone would have more than one tartan. If we are to go back, again, to history where all tartans were fashion tartans (i.e. people wore what they liked), the same question could be asked of anything you wear. Why have more than one color shirt? Why have more than one color pair of trousers? Why have more than one color pair of shoes? The answer should be obvious. People who aren't wearing tartan as part of a uniform will want diversity in their wardrobe.

[seanachie]

On another forum, a gentleman has written up his new adventure www.tartans4africa.co.za . He is located in South Africa and weaves African tartans. I have been intrigued with his website and the story he posted. Enough such that I sent him a PM to better understand these new African tartans and whether they have been officially recognized. James is originally from the UK and was a piper in the Household Guard and played at several big events. I have not gotten a reply yet on my questions so I can't share his response. I know he has a picture of one of the company directors with Desmond Tutu. It would be interesting to see kilts not only transcend ethnicity but race as well.

[OC Richard]

In 30 years, let's say, I'd like to be visiting another US State wearing a Texas tartan kilt and have people know that I'm from Texas.

It's happening already, at least in the Pipe Band world, to some extent.

When I went to the Stone Mountain Highland Games in Atlanta I saw local bands wearing the Georgia tartan. I'd not seen it before, but now if I see a band wearing that tartan I'll suspect they're from Georgia.

A friend plays in the Kentucky United Pipes and Drums which wears the Kentucky tartan.

A band visited California a few years ago wearing the British Columbia tartan and sure enough they were from BC.

A new band started up here a couple years ago and decided to go with the California tartan.

So anyhow in North America it wouldn't be difficult to round up a number of bands all of which wear their state or provincial tartans.

Many other pipe bands, it's true, still have clan connexions and here locally we have the Nicholson Pipe Band which wears Nicholson tartan and has some connexion with the clan.

Many other bands choose tartans because they fancy them and for no other reason... for them it doesn't matter at all what a tartan is called, only what it looks like.