MacDonald Of Clanranald Tartan

**seanachie** · 8th December 10, 11:10 PM

I am not Scottish and try to be very careful of causing offense, or violating the rules on wearing tartans to which I don't have a clan affiliation.

That said I recently saw a kilt in MacDonald Of Clanranald Tartan that I very much liked. When I looked up information on the tartan I found it was a Sobieski Stuart tartan from Vestiarium Scoticum. Does this, therefore, mean that I can wear the tartan or is it still considered appropriate only for members of the clan? Since the book has been discredited I was not sure what the consensus on this is.

**xman** · 8th December 10, 11:18 PM

Clanranald has a pedigree that predates the Sobieski-Stewart Bros. if I'm not mistaken although it was included in the VS by them, but that doesn't matter anyhow. MacLean of Duart Hunting is almost certainly one of their fabrications, but it has been accepted by that clan and is no less a clan tartan than anything else.

Speaking as a Clanranald MacDonald myself, I am always a little giddy when non clansmen are attracted enough to the tartan to wear it, proud. You've my blessing.

**Teufel Hunden** · 8th December 10, 11:39 PM

While I'm not a Clanranald, I am a MacDonald, and agree with Xman.

It's a very nice tartan, so wear it and enjoy it.

Just don't do anything to sully our good names.

J/K

**figheadair** · 9th December 10, 12:29 AM

This tartan is almost certainly one of Wilsons' and appears as a sample of their cloth in the Highland Society of London's collection c1816 where it is named MacDonell of Glengarry. It was under that name that it was supplied to the Smiths for their 1850 work by Miss MacDonell of Glengarry. In the VS it's named MacDonald of Clanranald. Possibly the Sobieskies were wrong, not the first time, or perhaps the sett was known by either name at that time although the former is probably the case. The current Glengarry with the four red stripes on the blue was not known until c1900.

Irrespective of whether one calls the two red line version Clanranald or Glengarry, it's not usually woven today and there is no reason why you shouldn't wear if you like it. It looks great in Wilsons' shades and setting. PM me if you are interested in getting it done correctly.

**Morris at Heathfield** · 9th December 10, 12:51 AM

Most of the tartans invented by the Sobieski Stuart brothers were adopted by the clans and families they were designed to represent, and are well established by now. A few were duds (e.g., their Forbes tartan). And there's at least one that just won't die, despite the wishes of at least two generations of clan chiefs (i.e., the Campbell of Argyll tartan).

**BoldHighlander** · 9th December 10, 01:37 AM

Originally Posted by xman

Speaking as a Clanranald MacDonald myself, I am always a little giddy when non clansmen are attracted enough to the tartan to wear it, proud. You've my blessing.

Originally Posted by Teufel Hunden

While I'm not a Clanranald, I am a MacDonald, and agree with Xman.

It's a very nice tartan, so wear it and enjoy it.

Just don't do anything to sully our good names.

As a MacRanald of the Keppoch branch of Macdonell's/Macdonald's, I'm with my Macdonald cousins on this. There is no reason why you cannot wear just about any of the Clan Donald tartans that take your fancy.

All any of us ask is learn a wee bit about the history of the tartan/family/clan you are wearing, since you will no doubt be asked by someone "what tartan is that /why are you wearing it?".....especially *if* your in Campbell Country!

**Riverkilt** · 9th December 10, 06:46 AM

Crack me up!

Sully our good name?

Dang, I thought we'd already done that ourselves....

I'm guessing if you were to be able to investigate all the branches of your family tree you'd find a Macdonald lurking out there somewhere.

Perhaps wearing the tartan will encourage him to emerge.

Wear, enjoy, stand proud.

**seanachie** · 9th December 10, 08:29 AM

Originally Posted by BoldHighlander

As a MacRanald of the Keppoch branch of Macdonell's/Macdonald's, I'm with my Macdonald cousins on this. There is no reason why you cannot wear just about any of the Clan Donald tartans that take your fancy.

All any of us ask is learn a wee bit about the history of the tartan/family/clan you are wearing, since you will no doubt be asked by someone "what tartan is that /why are you wearing it?".....especially *if* your in Campbell Country!

Your point is well made Terry. Without rehashing all the detail I ordered a kilt in a tartan that the mill ran short on and was offered the MacPherson as an option. I really liked the tartan, but did take the time to read up as much as I could and also sent email to the clan secretary seeking their permission. I think it is important to have some basis of understanding to be respectful and broadens your knowledge.

**muirkirkca** · 9th December 10, 09:38 AM

As a McDonald I have no problem with wearing the MacDonald tartan.

**RockyR** · 9th December 10, 05:26 PM

The MacDonald Clanranald MUTED has always struck me as a fantastic tartan. I made this deal with myself... if a customer orders a 5 yard wool kilt in this tartan, I will get enough to make one for myself. THIS MORNING someone ordered it:

Guess I have to honor my word and order enough to make myself one too. Shucks.