Greetings from the Netherlands!

though born in Holland and proud of that, Scotland feels like a dear home country as well, as it does for many Dutch. I paid many visits, made friends, the people's character and hospitality is of a quality that the Dutch can learn quite a lot from. The tolerance for which Holland is known for, is alas often just a flavour of indifference.
As you may know, in 2005 some very eager Dutch Scotland-enthusiasts have managed to realise a Tartan of Holland. They decided to go about it all legal and proper; it was designed bij Dr. David Wishart and officially registered. I think it was a splendid job and i am proud of the result.
Here in Holland the name of Orange enjoys mixed emotions. The role of William of Orange in England and especially Ireland was controversial, to say the least. To put it bluntly: he was responsible for a bloodbath and should rather be remembered in a hall of war criminals instead of in a hall of fame. In that light i and many others consider the Orange marches in Nothern Ireland a provocation that could be dispensed with.
Be as it may, the colour of Orange is also linked to our present Royal family, which in my view does a splendid job. There are Dutch wanting to get rid of them altogether, mainly because of cost of maintenance, for which there seems little return. But i am dead against that, for without them Holland would be a mere province and docile marketplace for big economic entities like neighbouring Germany or the USA. I think the Royal family's return in international goodwill is underestimated. Tradition and history are things to be treasured and not to be redstriped by cold economists. So i am proud of our red, white and blue and also our orange, one cannot hold the present Royals accountible for actions far away in the past. On our Queen's Day (on April 30th, really the birthday of the deceased Queen Mum Juliana, which daughter Beatrix decided to honour, for hers is January the 31st) i am coloured more orange than the average Dutchman. Visit Amsterdam or The Hague on 30th of april, you will see what i mean!

That was a long introduction for my real question. As i will honour Holland and things Dutch, i am also inclined to honour all things Scottish. But i have no Scottish family of heritage whatsoever. A Clan Tartan would therefore be absolutely out of the question. For that i would have to feign things and would feel like a fraud, as would only be the right way to feel in that circumstance. The Tartan of Holland could not even be seen as a District Tartan, for no Scottish district is involved. It would at the most be a festive fantasy tartan of a company one or an officially registered one to display pride in international relations, but that's about it. How would a Dutchman be perceived wearing Tartan of Holland? How would any foreigner in a kilt be perceived in Scotland? Probably like e.g. a very eager non-Spanish Barcelona fan wearing Barcelona kit. Though not so much linked with Dutch pride and heritage as Scotch kilts are, there still are about a dozen traditional regional Dutch costumes left. The ones from Volendam, Staphorst and our province Zeeland are the best known, with traditionally adorned and painted clogs to match. I even have clogs myself. But personally i must admit that i would be amazed to encounter someone in Volendam wear, suddenly addressing me in a Glaswegian accent.
Is that the same with you? Would foreigners in kilts be seen as wannabees, overzealous tourists, consumers blinded by their romantic view of your nation? And if not, what would they have to do in order to express real honour to Scotland? For i think these matters are not to be trifled with, traditions and honour only remain strong when not exploited or mocked about with. If i would perceive the slightst hint of being out of place or order, i would not dare show a foreign tartan in Scotland, let alone dare wear a kilt.
Your advice will be most valued and appreciated! Thanks and all the best. Gerhard