Family Name and Clan

[Nighthawk]

I agree. I feel the same way. If I don't have some of blood connection to a clan tartan, I won't wear it, unless it's a military tartan, like the black Stewart. I have no problems with regional or universal tartans, but I wouldn't wear the Lamont tartan because I have no ties to that clan name. On the other hand, the clan system was originally a system where groups of families organized around one standard for mutual protection and strength. Not everyone claiming to be a part of say the MacLeod clan was actually a MacLeod by birth, so if I go to a Highland festival and join the MacLeod clan, then I have no problems (idealistically) with wearing a MacLeod tartan. So there you go- my feelings on the matter.

And by the way- I'm glad you survived your incident, and that you're back. It's good to meet you, Don.

[Don Patrick]

J.B.

It's good to know I'm not alone in this assumption.

[J.B. Simpson]

By the way Don I hope you are on the up-side of mending after your accident. Nothing too serious I hope. Get well soon!

[Don Patrick]

By the way Don I hope you are on the up-side of mending after your accident. Nothing too serious I hope. Get well soon!

Two broken bones in my left wrist and some dents in my right elbow and right knee. I consider myself lucky though. Another fellow, a week later, had a similar accident here and he didn't make it through the accident - so I consider my blessings.

I thank you for your words.

[The Wizard of BC]

The possible exception I can think of is this.

Clan loyalty was not just by blood or fathers surname. Anyone could pledge loyalty to a clan by taking an oath and agreeing to serve the chief and clan when called upon.

So theoretically Joe Wu the poor shipwrecked Chinese sailor finding himself being cared for by Highland Chieftain Dave could pledge loyalty to that Clan and be authorized to wear the Tartan.

Even today a letter to a Standing Clan Chieftain requesting to wear his Tartan is usually met with a wonderful and thankful permission to do so.

Now I'll throw a wrench into this question. If you feel you would only be comfortable wearing a Tartan you have a feeling for, how would you feel about wearing a district, State, or fashion Tartan?

[J.B. Simpson]

Now I'll throw a wrench into this question. If you feel you would only be comfortable wearing a Tartan you have a feeling for, how would you feel about wearing a district, State, or fashion Tartan?

I have no problem with a District Tartan if I have some relation to said district, the same can be said about a State Tartan. As far as the Fashion Tartan........not really a problem depending on the Tartan, that would be the one exception to the "I like it so I will wear it".

[Don Patrick]

Now I'll throw a wrench into this question. If you feel you would only be comfortable wearing a Tartan you have a feeling for, how would you feel about wearing a district, State, or fashion Tartan?

I do not have a problem wearing the Blue Bonnet Tartan - I'm a Texan. I also have no problem wearing the US Army or Coast Guard - I served in each.

[Don Patrick]

The possible exception I can think of is this.

Clan loyalty was not just by blood or fathers surname. Anyone could pledge loyalty to a clan by taking an oath and agreeing to serve the chief and clan when called upon.

I have to agree with you.

[Nighthawk]

The possible exception I can think of is this.

Clan loyalty was not just by blood or fathers surname. Anyone could pledge loyalty to a clan by taking an oath and agreeing to serve the chief and clan when called upon.

This is exactly why I brought up the MacLeod analogy earlier. I'm a member of a Denver based MacLeod clan, and I will wear a MacLeod tartan as soon as I get one. Do I have blood relation to it? No. But they are locally my clan.

[JakobT]

So theoretically Joe Wu the poor shipwrecked Chinese sailor finding himself being cared for by Highland Chieftain Dave could pledge loyalty to that Clan and be authorized to wear the Tartan.

Even today a letter to a Standing Clan Chieftain requesting to wear his Tartan is usually met with a wonderful and thankful permission to do so.

Now I'll throw a wrench into this question. If you feel you would only be comfortable wearing a Tartan you have a feeling for, how would you feel about wearing a district, State, or fashion Tartan?

My own personal feeling, having no Scottish connection that I know of, is that I would feel uncomfortable wearing a Clan Tartan. This is why I wear plain kilts today. If I wanted to wear a Clan tartan, I expect I would try to get the Clan Chief's permission before doing so.

When it comes to district tartans, any connection with the district at all will do for me, even if it's just a place I have a feeling for, though I would at least want to have set foot there.

As far as fashion tartans are concerned, anything goes. I have a Tartan kilt on order at the moment, in a very nice universal/fashion Tartan (designed by my kiltmaker).

These are strictly personal opinions, and apply to myself only. Anyone else are of course free to do exactly as they please.