Tartans other than your family?

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

Not to get off topic, but I have to ask- Is it considered odd or bad form to wear both the "standard" and hunting tartans of your clan, would you say?

Some clans have one tartan, others several (for example Clan MacMillan has ancient, dress, and hunting tartans). In addition to different tartans, these may also be woven in any of three shades: modern, ancient (or old), and weathered. A clansman with deep pockets may elect to have have kilts made in each of his tartans, and in each of the three shades. For someone in my clan this would represent a total of nine kilts-- yikes!

Generally speaking many individuals who have more than one clan tartan to their name will choose one tartan as their "dress" tartan and an other for "everyday" wear. Even in situations where a clan possesses only one tartan it is not uncommon to see it worn in ancient or weathered colours during the day, and with modern colours in the evening.

So, would it be "bad form" to wear more than one of your clan tartans? Certainly not. But it could run to a fair degree of extravagance.

[Richard]

You can wear any tartan you like as long as it's not mine.......only joking

[Tobus]

If you have a tartan associated with your name or lineage, that would be the obvious and most accepted choice. And while there are no 'tartan police' that will assault you for wearing a tartan to which you have no affiliation, you can at least expect social awkwardness if you do wear it.

For example, if you're at a Highland Games and you're wearing a Cameron tartan (but have no affiliation with the Camerons), you may have people coming up to you who ARE Camerons, wanting to establish the kinship connection. And that's really part of the point of clan tartans... to be an identifier of kinship or affiliation. It can be mighty awkward having to explain to these fellows who were about to adopt you as a long-lost cousin that you're not kin to them, and that you're just wearing their tartan because you got a good deal on it or you like the colors.

Will they beat you up for it? Not very likely. But still, it can be awkward. It's your choice, though.

Personally, I will only wear the clan tartan to which I have a blood connection, as I would rather not identify myself as something I'm not. But there are plenty of organizational and district/region tartans out there too, so it's not like there's only one tartan choice.

[piperdbh]

I just had another brilliant thought: suppose the OP were to accept the offer of the non-family-connected kilt and sell it to someone who does have a connection to it, and use the proceeds to buy a kilt in his clan/family tartan. Wouldn't everybody win?

[Tobus]

I just had another brilliant thought: suppose the OP were to accept the offer of the non-family-connected kilt and sell it to someone who does have a connection to it, and use the proceeds to buy a kilt in his clan/family tartan. Wouldn't everybody win?

Yes, that's a thought. But if the offer he refers to is as a gift, then it might be bad form to accept the gift and then turn around and sell it. It all depends on what the offer is...

[JerseyLawyer]

Well, I would not do so.If I had served in a Highland regiment, or I was in a pipe band, then alright.

Indeed, if you play with a band, then you wear what the band wears. Though I still wear the kilt I bought for a now-defunct band - it's in the Nova Scotia tartan, so I don't feel guilty about it. Coming from a family of pipers, and having played with a variety of bands, we probably have 12-15 kilts in the house, in a variety of tartans... none of which are of our clan affiliation. :P I could probably outfit an entire family of Robertsons, Macleans of Duart, or MacNeils (of Barra).

I plan to fix that, by the by, since I'm not playing so much anymore, and want my clan tartan for more general wear to Scottish events. Christmas is coming.

[Detroitpete]

Thanks for the imput, so far. My actual lines to Scotland are Jackson, which has only recently had a Tartan and Hannah. I usually wear Blackwatch because of my military background and our Division authorized it with Class B uniform when we were supporting Highland games. It's a nice tartan, though. I have some other research to do before deciding whether or not to get it.

So...IF you want a 'connection' to your tartan, here's just a few I can think of--just from the information you've given so far:

American Heritage, etc

Scottish National and related tartans

Colorado

Your specific military branch (could include a few that are used for your specific branch's pipe band(s), also some now represent specific metals or theaters of operation)

Black Watch (if you really think you HAVE to editorial note--forgive me)


Jackson and Hannah with variations if any (Is Jackson or Hannah a sept of another clan? If so, then there's that clan's tartan)

Now how about favorite sports teams? Could be a tartan there. Church, other faith-based group or fraternal organization? Tartans there as well.

Wife or partner's family history? Could be another list of tartans there.

See--the options available to you right now are legion! Enjoy your growing relationship with tartan!

[Whidbey78]

Detroitpete put together a pretty good list of options. Well done.

I never have nor will I ever tell someone he has no right to wear a specific tartan. A man can wear anything that suits his fancy. On the other hand, since there are about 26 billion tartans(well, it seems like it sometimes), I do stick to family tartans, state, military, etc. that I have a connection to, but it's mainly to make choosing easier for me...and the "kilt kops" can stay off my back too. Not that I care what they think, but avoiding the hassle is a nice side effect of a practical choice.

One thing to consider...unless someone actually asks you about it, they won't know if it's your tartan or not. If someone has a problem with it remember that it's their problem, not yours.

If you like the tartan and you can get a really good deal on the kilt, just go for it. That's being frugal...what's more traditionally Scottish than that?

[Lallans]

If you don't like any of the non-family tartans, or if there is one of those you really do like, just wear a family one and if anyone asks (which I certainly wouldn't expect) say "We were a sept!" Family trees being what they are, you have every chance of being perfectly accurate.

[westy1970]

Thanks for all of the input. The Tartan in question is Ogilive Hunting in trade for a guitar I have. I do have some other choices for Tartans I can wear, most of which are mentioned above. Currently I have a Blackwatch and an AmeriKilt with an Irish Diaspora on the way, plus a Sport Kilt I bought on this board. Based on shipping cost alone, I may have to pass anyway.