Clan Tartan Appropriateness

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

I find this quite interesting, although I doubt that in the 21st century anyone here is planning on fighting in battle for his clan, which is what it is all truly about.

I think the best way to view a bond of manrent is to look at it in the same way one looks at assuming citizenship when moving to a different country. When one takes up citizenship in the USA, one renounces any other national allegiance and agrees to be bound to follow the laws of the United States. While in general terms military service may (or may not) be required of all citizens, there is nothing in the oath of allegiance that imposes a requirement to perform military service in order to gain citizenship.

The same is true of a bond of manrent; it gave an outsider (a stranger in blood) "citizenship" in the adopted clan. In accepting that "citizenship" the person entering into the bond of manrent agreed to follow the "laws" of the clan, as laid down by the chief. Now in all likelihood "sword service" may have been expected, but that requirement would have also been imposed in whatever clan our "bondman" may have previously belonged to.

Broadly speaking, most bonds of manrent existed to improve the quality of clan life-- to encourage smiths, carpenters, and the like, to settle on clan lands and provide an otherwise unavailable service to the clan. Bonds inevitably refer to "the advancement of the clan" and, at least as far as I am aware, none mention taking part in clan skirmishes, or lifting cattle, although I've no doubt that a bondman would have taken part in these expeditions along with his neighbors as this was often an ordinary feature of Highland life.

[Morris at Heathfield]

To the OP:

I am not a Campbell by name. I am six generations removed from my nearest Campbell ancestor. And, although I have seriously considered joining the CCSNA in the past, at present I have no intentions of joining any clan society. I'm saying this just to let you know that I really have no standing to judge. However, since you asked...

If I saw a fellow wearing a kilt in the Campbell tartan, I would assume that a) his surname was Campbell, b) his surname was one commonly regarded as a sept of the Campbells, c) (especially in the US) he had (biological) ancestors who were Campbells or who bore a surname commonly regarded as a sept of the Campbells, or d) he had fine taste in tartans.

Your situation is not one that would immediately have come to my mind, but on hearing it, I would be quite satisfied that you had a good reason to wear the Campbell tartan. But again, I can't speak for anyone whose surname actually is Campbell.

There is another reason you could wear the Campbell tartan—one that I imagine would be respected in the US if not in Scotland: that is, that you were a member of the CCSNA. I believe you are eligible for membership, if you wish to join.

Lastly, if any "real" Campbells get a bit testy over your appropriation of their tartan, perhaps you could remind them that they wear their tartan at the pleasure of Her Majesty's government.

[tripleblessed]

To the OP:
Lastly, if any "real" Campbells get a bit testy over your appropriation of their tartan, perhaps you could remind them that they wear their tartan at the pleasure of Her Majesty's government.

From the Clan Campbell Website (Campbell Society of North America): "There is only one authority on the correct tartan or tartans of a clan: the chief of that clan. Not even the Scottish Tartans Society or the Lord Lyon King of Arms claim such authority -- they are purely archivists of tartan history, which is, at best, a confused and confusing field."

As of last fall, the website of the Lyon Court stated unequivocally that in matters of clan membership and which tartans are appropriate, the clan chief is the sole authority, that the Lord Lyon notes them purely as a courtesy to the chiefs as a convenience to the members. While the structure and the content of the Lyon Court website has been changed, there is no statement of any change in that policy or position as of my most recent gander, within the last few weeks.

[PEEDYC]

According to the Scottish Register of Tartans there are 36 Campbell Tartans registered. The Campbell Hunting is mostly brown whereas the Campbell of Armaddie is a red. The number of variations of the Campbell Family tartans too is large enough to cause confusion. I would be very surprised if the "common man" even if he was a Scot would recognise most of them unless he was wearing the same one as you.

As far as those who mentioned the Isle of Skye tartan in this thread please read the following article which I also posted on the Tartans and Copyright thread. http://www.lawdit.co.uk/reading_room...se%20-file.txt

[tripleblessed]

For PEEDYC: The quote on the link didn't survive submitting the post.

The link did not find the page. I'd like to read it.

The 12th Duke of Argyll stated that there are only 4 Campbell tartans: Ancient, which he wore, and those of Breadalbane, Cawdor, and Loudoun. His son, the 13th Duke, current chief of the name and arms of Campbell, and Scotland's senior peer, quotes his father on this matter. He does say that he knows of no reason not to wear those others created by weavers, but if your intent is to indicate connection to the clan you will follow his example.

[OC Richard]

There is only one authority on the correct tartan or tartans of a clan: the chief of that clan.

From Scotland's Forged Tartans:

...the (Allen) brothers let it be known that they had in their possession an ancient manuscript which gave precise details of all the old Clan tartans and to hand out details of these to their friends some of whom, it would seem, had not previously known that they had Clan tartans.

...the Allens had many friends among the Clan Chiefs, and these took readily to what they were told of the tartans of their ancestors. By 1829 some of them... were having made for them tartans in accordance to the descriptions in the "Cromarty Manuscript" and were appearing in them at social functions.

[Morris at Heathfield]

tripleblessed: My reasoning for making that statement (which was half in jest) comes from the CCSNA website and is as follows:

Ancient Campbell is the same as Black Watch tartan--hardly surprising, since that illustrious regiment is a Campbell regiment, raised by the Duke of Argyll in 1739. (Indeed, as Alastair Campbell of Airds, Chief Executive of Clan Campbell, has indicated in his authoritative book Campbell Tartan, the Black Watch tartan may well have been adopted as the clan's tartan because so many members of the clan were already wearing it, owing to their service in the regiment.)

The Black Watch tartan is today usually made in darker shades of green and blue, while Ancient Campbell is made in lighter, brighter shades. Some Campbells wear the lighter Ancient Campbell for day wear and the darker Black Watch for evening and formal wear--the important point being that they are the same tartan.

Emphasis added. The Black Watch tartan is also known as the Government tartan.

OC Richard: All very true, but not really relevant with regard to the current chiefly-approved Campbell tartans—quite the contrary, in fact—with the possible exception of the Campbell of Loudoun tartan, which seems to have taken inspiration from the Sobieski Stuart's "Campbell" tartan.

[Pyper]

As a life member of the Clan Macpherson Association, it wouldn't bother me one bit if you were wearing a kilt in a Macpherson tartan.

I venture to say that any "serious" member of the association would recognize the hunting and dress versions of the tartan, and most would probably recognize the red version too, but that one can be tricky because it's very similar to Royal Stewart, and it also varies quite a bit by mill -- in some the blue is very pronounced while in others it's quite subdued.

If I saw you in the grocery store wearing a Macpherson tartan, I might well walk up to you and say, "Nice kilt, that's Macpherson, right?" and go from there.

My band kilt is ancient Fraser Hunting. I really don't know why. I have had people at the games walk up and ask me if I was a Fraser. No one has been confrontational.

Sometimes when I see someone with a tartan that's really nice looking I'll walk up and ask what it is. The two most interesting responses are "US Customs and Border Protection" and "Antarctica". While I didn't ask the guys about it, I'd be disappointed if they had chosen those tartans for appearance and not some personal connection. It wouldn't upset me though.

[English Bloke]

I heartily despise anyone wearing an identifying item to which they are not fully entitled. Clan tartan, club/school/regimental tie. military rank/unit insignia, medals etc. I would never be rude enough to ask, so assume entitlement. The wearing of unearned military medals is a criminal offense in the UK. other items are left to ones sense of decency.....Robbie

Mmmmm... Robbie, I'll go along with the wearing of unearned medals and passing them off as yours. Despicable!
I'll go along with the ties and the university scarves and the SAS dagger lapel badges and the para wings tattoos an' the bogus qualifications on CV's (It'll be fine, they never check) and all that stuff that people without honour will do.
But I can't get these two English fraudsters out of my concept of who owns a tartan. Consequently and possibly regrettably, I'll have to differ on that point so I'm afraid you'll have to heartily despise me too. Shame that, from my perspective anyway.

[tripleblessed]

tripleblessed: My reasoning for making that statement (which was half in jest) comes from the CCSNA website and is as follows:


Emphasis added. The Black Watch tartan is also known as the Government tartan.

OC Richard: All very true, but not really relevant with regard to the current chiefly-approved Campbell tartans—quite the contrary, in fact—with the possible exception of the Campbell of Loudoun tartan, which seems to have taken inspiration from the Sobieski Stuart's "Campbell" tartan.

I am not a member of the Clan Campbell Association, I have read a lot of clan pages to compare in my own mind the different ways in which clans perceive the membership guidelines. The material on the Campbell website happens to be relevant to the discussion, and is clear and concise, and is posted at the behest and approval of the senior peer of the Scottish peerage. In it, the 12th Duke is very clear that there IS no"Campbell Hunting". The current chief says wear any that you have if you like them, just understand they are not tartans indicating connection to the clan, but inventions of weavers to sell cloth. NOTHING WRONG WITH THAT. The chiefs are very aware of how difficult it is to make a living.

All this (and OCRichard's Allen comments) come in to bearing in this thread in conjunction with the Lyon Court comment that chiefs are the SOLE arbiter of what's appropriate for their clan. The origin of a tartan is irrelevant. Other uses or applications of the tartan are irrelevant. Whatever the chief chooses, for whatever reason, at any time, IS the clan tartan. If tomorrow Lord Lovat awoke and said he had a dream and was told to tell the clan to wear Ancient Duncan or Modern Gunn, that would be the end of the discussion. That's not gonna happen, but it would be binding on the members who follow him. Back to The Campbell's statement on wearing other tartans - wear them if you have them, they just aren't relevant to the clan.

In other words, wear what you like, but be aware of what it is and why YOU are wearing it. Some modern tartans are copyrighted, owned and restricted. Some, while restricted, are allowed (Isle Of Skye), some are not (Oklahoma State U.), but most traditional tartans are not owned by ANYONE or ANY ORGANIZATION and are available to you for wear. It is meet and right so to do. It is also appropriate to do so with awareness of context and understanding of how others may have differing opinions. If you're gonna strap it on, somebody is gonna take issue with it. Period. Enjoy the ensuing discussions, as they will happen whether you enjoy them or not. If you are determined not to have them, wear PANTS.