Allowed tartans

**Panache** · 14th August 07, 09:51 AM

Makeitstop,

You have posted your two cents, so here are mine.

There are fabric choices out there that are a LOT less expensive and far more durable than tartan, especially quality wool tartan. Part of the beauty of tartan is that it can stand for something. A tartan can represent a piece of history, honor a group, or stand for an ideal

Take a piece of Campbell / Black Watch tartan in your hands.

It can represent those that fought for the English Crown against their people,

It can represent generations of brave soldiers who fought with distinction and valor,

It can represent a family's history and unity,

It can represent an enemy and bloody deeds never forgotten,

and many other things both good and bad.

There in your hand is pride, honor, villainy, family, loyalty, blood, death, bravery, honor, and above all HISTORY!

With the internet so much information is available, so quickly, for so little effort. If one would take the time to choose a tartan to wear it seems a shame to not invest a moment more to know what that tartan represents.

I am not a Campbell and I have no connection to the Black Watch Regiment. But I wear this tartan in a full 8 yard knife pleated kilt with respect to those two groups. My ancestors were not slain by the Campbells but I know that this deed happened and there are those that to this day see that association. How richer this fabric is for all this history. I wear my grey Utilikilt and enjoy it for it's practicality, comfort, good looks, and as a representation of my individuality. But my tartan kilts have this added dimension.

One of the wonderful things about tartans is that besides warps and wefts there is history woven into that cloth. I think that one should wear whatever tartan you like (with a few exceptions). To not take that moment to understand the history or meaning of a tartan isn't just a matter of disrespect. It is to have something and not get the full enjoyment and appreciation of it.

Respectfully

Jamie

**Bryan** · 15th August 07, 02:26 PM

I'm new on these forums, but here's my opinion.

Growing up I always had some weird obsession with all things Scottish/Irish. Music, dress, food, anything. At the age of 10ish I asked if we had any Scottish/Irish blood in the family and was told, "No, you're German (my mother is from Germany by way of an American father/German mother and my father's family is originally from Germany)" and I grew up steeped in German culture and tradition, which I am fiercely proud of. But there remained my fascination with the Celtic lands.

As I got older I wanted a kilt badly, but couldn't rationalize wearing one as I wasn't Scottish. I eventually got married to a lovely girl of Scottish/Irish descent and finally had my reason to wear a kilt/tartan. So, I got my one and only kilt in HER family's tartan which happens to be Lamont. I thought, "Hey, I married into her family, right?"

After a little research recently, I discovered that I do indeed have Scottish ancestry on my mother's side (her Grandmother was a Butters, an old Scottish family long associated with Clan Murray) so I've decided to get another kilt made in my own clan's tartan.

Now we come to my opinion. I chose tartans that has some special meaning for ME. Whether it's my family's tartan or my spouse's tartan, or something like the Confederate Memorial Tartan, which for me as a born and raised Texan, means a lot because it is part of the history of my state. Choosing another tartan completely, is more than fine. Wear it proudly and enjoy it!

Being German, it wouldn't offend me to see someone who isn't German "parading" around in Lederhosen, drinking German beer, and eating Schnitzel.

Apologies in advance if I've repeated anything anyone else said, 19 pages of posts is a lot to get through.

**Ozman1944** · 16th August 07, 06:25 PM

I 'fess up!
I just like the colours and enjoy the intricate pattern of Tartans in general. I am indeed a Celt (Scot/Welsh/Cornish) but it really is the colours I enjoy wearing, regardless of who thinks it's their Tartan. If I can purchase it, then it's mine, and I can wear it how, when, & where I like. And I really do like!

My dwindling savings is mute testimony to that!

**Peter C.** · 16th August 07, 09:22 PM

Originally Posted by Ozman1944

I 'fess up!
I just like the colours and enjoy the intricate pattern of Tartans in general. I am indeed a Celt (Scot/Welsh/Cornish) but it really is the colours I enjoy wearing, regardless of who thinks it's their Tartan. If I can purchase it, then it's mine, and I can wear it how, when, & where I like. And I really do like!

My dwindling savings is mute testimony to that!

How honest.

I choose mine the same way. I wouldn't wear something I didn't like the look of even if it was my clan tartan.

Peter

**Barclay** · 17th August 07, 06:06 AM

Originally Posted by Peter C.

I wouldn't wear something I didn't like the look of even if it was my clan tartan.

Which is exactly why I don't wear Barclay Dress Modern...I have an aversion to looking like an enormous bumblebee.

**Panache** · 17th August 07, 07:09 AM

Originally Posted by Barclay

Which is exactly why I don't wear Barclay Dress Modern...I have an aversion to looking like an enormous bumblebee.

Hey! What's wrong with bumblebees? Says Panache in his Mcleod of Lewis USA Semi trad kilt (a bumblebee with a racing stripe?)

Cheers

Jamie

**Ozman1944** · 17th August 07, 07:03 AM

Mmmmm!: Bright Yellow & Black...... (Clan Mc Bumblebee?) yet ANOTHER colour I don't have. Gimme!

**Captain** · 17th August 07, 07:31 AM

I think the whole issue boils down to respect. And not just respect for your tartan, but respect for the views of other kilt wearers... I personally enjoy having a connection to a tartan that I buy... but I don't HAVE to have it, it's just an added bonus. I do however try to at least know some history behind a tartan I might wish to purchase... But the big thing is... I don't really care what any other kilt wearer wants to do. If you want to only wear the tartan(s) associated with your clan, fine by me. If you want to wear every tartan ever conceived because you think they're all beautiful and you have not one bit of knowledge about Celtic history other than a few stats about Boston's basketball team and what you could glean from Braveheart, good on ya. If you want to wear whichever tartans look good on you and you respectfully learn a little bit about each one, I applaud you. All I ask for in return is the same. Why in the world should we tear each other down about who is allowed and not allowed to wear a tartan, when we're all promoting Scottish pride and kilt wearing?

**Peter C.** · 17th August 07, 10:09 AM

Originally Posted by Captain

I think the whole issue boils down to respect. And not just respect for your tartan, but respect for the views of other kilt wearers... I personally enjoy having a connection to a tartan that I buy... but I don't HAVE to have it, it's just an added bonus. I do however try to at least know some history behind a tartan I might wish to purchase... But the big thing is... I don't really care what any other kilt wearer wants to do. If you want to only wear the tartan(s) associated with your clan, fine by me. If you want to wear every tartan ever conceived because you think they're all beautiful and you have not one bit of knowledge about Celtic history other than a few stats about Boston's basketball team and what you could glean from Braveheart, good on ya. If you want to wear whichever tartans look good on you and you respectfully learn a little bit about each one, I applaud you. All I ask for in return is the same. Why in the world should we tear each other down about who is allowed and not allowed to wear a tartan, when we're all promoting Scottish pride and kilt wearing?

Very well said Captain.

Peter

**Don Patrick** · 15th December 07, 01:13 PM

Originally Posted by beloitpiper

Perhaps this has already been discussed, but I was wondering what everybody's opinion was on wearing tartans. Some people buy whatever tartan they think looks pretty. Others buy only their family's or clan's tartan. What do you think?

I personally believe that one should wear only his own tartan (clan's tartan) or an acceptable common tartan (national tartans). It upsets me that Gordon Dress is such a popular tartan, but a vast majority of those wearing it are not Gordons or a sept of Gordon (as I am). I also believe that Black Watch should be restricted to Black Watch soldiers and family of the Black Watch. If somebody cannot find their family, either buy a Royal Stuart or a national tartan and be done with it. Don't parade around in somebody else's colors!

I agree.