prohibited tartans

[SteveB]

...and respecting the wishes of any actual clan chiefs/owners restrictions is my intent. Kilt police I don't care about.

I second Jock Scot. Honouring the traditions of another, will EARN the respect of that other to your traditions.

[M. A. C. Newsome]

There are no prohibitions in the states that ended on July 4, 1776 as long as you can buy it you can wear it here. Honor and respect are things you and you alone must decide upon.

And as was stated in the other [now deleted] thread, this really is not germane to the subject of tartans at all.

Saying such implies that there are (were) laws regarding the restrictions of specific tartans in the UK and since the US won its independance, US citizens are no longer subject to those "tartan laws."

Point of fact, there is no law regarding who can wear what tartan in the UK, or in the USA, or in Canada, or Australia, or anywhere else for that matter. Legally, you can deck yourself out head to toe in any tartan you wish and there isn't anything anyone can do about it.

However, as a matter of tradition and respect, most people who wear the kilt choose a tartan (or tartans) that they feel some special connection to -- be that in their ancestry, or through marriage, or where they live or their occupations, etc. Remember, tartans can and do represent things other than clans.

In any case, very very few tartans are intended to be restricted as far as who may wear them. And in these rare cases, it will not be a tartan that is commonly available, so you don't have to worry about walking into a tartan shop and inadvertantly purchasing a restricted tartan.

[macwilkin]

There are no prohibitions in the states that ended on July 4, 1776 as long as you can buy it you can wear it here. Honor and respect are things you and you alone must decide upon.

The events of 1776 have nothing to do with it. As I mentioned in the first version of this thread, two republics, South Africa (readmitted to the Commonwealth in '94) & Ireland both have heraldic traditions & agencies which regulate heraldry.

Also, the simple fact that the idea of a restricted clan/family tartans (or the Balmoral tartan) was designed after 1776 negates this arguement.

Respectfully,

Todd

[M. A. C. Newsome]

I wear Campbel of Argyle (Modern) tartan but unfortunatley the only one really available is not a recognised tartan. One of the previous clan chiefs had a yellow pattern added but he was the only one that wore it at that time to distinguish himslef from the rest of the clan. It has never been registered but has been adpoted by tartan makers and now very common.

The original question was whether there are any clan cheifs who have definitively stated that their tartan is to be restricted to those with blood ties to the clan only. The case of the Campbell of Argyle tartan is different. In this case the clan cheif has definitely stated that the so-called "Campbell of Argyle" tartan is not a clan tartan. It says nothing about whether the actual recognized Campbell tartans should be restricted in their use.

But I did want to correct something you said in your post. The Campbell of Argyle tartan is not the only Campbell tartan readily available. The standard clan tartan (Campbell or Black Watch) is readly available from all of the tartan mills, usually in several color options -- ancient, modern, weathered, muted, etc. The other recognized Campbell tartans (Louden, Breadalbane, Cawdor) are also available from the major tartan mills, though individual retailers may not be as likely to stock them. Nevertheless, they should be available for purchase in a kilt without having to custom order the cloth.

So if you are a Campbell and wish to wear a tartan recognized by your cheif, you should be able to do so easily. The popular Campbell of Argyle tartan is by no means the only one available.

[JSFMACLJR]

I wear Campbel of Argyle (Modern) tartan but unfortunatley the only one really available is not a recognised tartan. One of the previous clan chiefs had a yellow pattern added but he was the only one that wore it at that time to distinguish himslef from the rest of the clan. It has never been registered but has been adpoted by tartan makers and now very common.

If you are a Campbell, might I enquire why you wear this tartan? The late Duke of Argyll made his thoughts quite clear on this.

"...the only tartans which I recognize are, firstly, the one you see me and my wife wearing, which goes under various names, such as ordinary Campbell, Ancient Campbell, etc., and all members of our clan who are not specifically identified with [the Houses of Breadalbane, Cawdor [or] Loudoun are entitled to wear it.

Let me get rid, once and for all, of the thought that there is a 'Campbell of Argyll' [tartan]. While it is true that the Sixth Duke [of Argyll - b.1768 - s.1806 - d.1839] introduced a white line to his plain Campbell tartan to differentiate himself from the rest of the Campbells, (he being the chief and entitled to do so), he was the only member of the family so to do and the rest of the family thought he was rather pompous to do it.

Campbell of Breadalbane--fine [to wear].

Campbell of Cawdor--fine.

Campbell of Loudoun--fine.

Campbell of Glenlyon--I have never heard of it.

Campbell of Loch Awe-this is plain ridiculous, as we are all Campbells of Loch Awe originally. - Apart from anything else, I have never heard of a Campbell of Loch Awe tartan, nor do I wish to do so.

THERE IS NO DRESS CAMPBELL [TARTAN]--repeat! repeat! repeat!

There is NO HUNTING CAMPBELL.

There is NO CAMPRELL RED.

There is NO CAMPBELL - SIMPSON.

There are no Campbell cheques, other than commercial ones...

If I feel strongly about anything and would like it inscribed on my tombstone, there might be a few lines such as 'All Campbells with the exception of the three principal septs [the Houses of Breadalbane, Cawdor and Loudoun] should wear plain undifferentiated Campbell for evermore and not get confused by peddlers of this [other] material that comes under all sorts of guises.

Yours ever,
Your Kinsman and Chief,
Argyll"

[ronstew]

Source of that, JSFMACLJR?

Oh how I wish there was a similar pronouncement for Stewarts. Sigh.

[trifin]

JSFMACLJR's post is straight from the clan campbell website

[The Monk]

Source of that, JSFMACLJR?

Oh how I wish there was a similar pronouncement for Stewarts. Sigh.

Clan Campbell Tartans

[bricelythgoe]

I like that. However, I tend only to wear tartans I am associated with (or have permission to wear, i.e. My ancient McKay it is for my wife's family be she said it would be ok )

There are no prohibitions in the states that ended on July 4, 1776 as long as you can buy it you can wear it here. Honor and respect are things you and you alone must decide upon.

[Lachlan09]

Wasn't there another thread started yesterday on this exact same topic? I can't find it now for some reason, but in my reply there I stated that the McKerrell tartan is restricted in this manner by the cheif of the clan, Madam McKerrell of Hillhouse.

I had a somewhat longer reply on the other thread, but don't really feel inclined to retype it. Anyone know what happened to that thread?

McKerrell ? Is that not a type of fish ?

"Madam" McKerrell ? Is that the same as Mrs McKerrell to us common, floor-spitting, nose-picking peasant folk ? Or is she a “madame” of a high-class establishment in New Orleans ?