Clan Tartan Appropriateness

[Lesser]

"At a pub on the Cowal (Lamont clan territory), I was asked if it was the Campbell tartan by a customer of the pub. The landlord assured him that mine was NOT a Campbell tartan. I enjoyed my pint in peace."


Tis true; Lamonts and Campbells have a wee bit of a "rocky" history together. Glad that you got to enjoy that pint!

[Riverkilt]

One thing came to mind for me is all the garment manufacturers that make clothing - from shirts to bathrobes - in clan tartans.

Rather than upset me when I see one of my clan tartans made up into a shirt, bathrobe, or whatever - I rejoice, order it, and wear it proudly.

I don't think about, or worry about, other people who might order it with no idea its a clan tartan.

If I saw someone wearing one of my clan tartans on the street I'm liable to go up to them and say "Hey Cousin!" If they look bewildered - then they just liked the look of the tartan.

And, as mentioned, I remain amazed at how many "tartan experts" who approach me with their opinions are dead wrong about the tartan I'm wearing at the time.

[R.S.L. Kiltwearer]

One thing came to mind for me is all the garment manufacturers that make clothing - from shirts to bathrobes - in clan tartans.

Rather than upset me when I see one of my clan tartans made up into a shirt, bathrobe, or whatever - I rejoice, order it, and wear it proudly
.

even thought i have no clan, this makes makes alot of sense.
and i would think this is the stance i would take.
(again if i had a clan) more offence would be taken if i saw someone wearing the clan badge, and found out that person had no ties to it.
to me its the same as when non millitary people wear military insignias.......

just my 2cents and no offence is ment to anyone

[Jock Scot]

I (nor would many/any Scot)would not even ask, I would just assume it was "your" tartan. You see, we generally only wear one tartan and we don't go in for the two hour lecture on the justifiction of your choice. It is what it is. If you don't tell me I won't ask.

[Jay]

I'm a Campbell with 3 kilts - MacBeth, Cummings and Black Watch. I do not own a Campbell tartan ad I am not all that interested right now.


If anyone chooses to disagree, that is their choice. I wear what I want and choose my tartans based on personal preference.

[macwilkin]

I'm a Campbell with 3 kilts - MacBeth, Cummings and Black Watch. I do not own a Campbell tartan ad I am not all that interested right now.


If anyone chooses to disagree, that is their choice. I wear what I want and choose my tartans based on personal preference.

If I may ask, do you have Cumming ancestry? I'm not challenging you; our clan is a wee one, so it's always guid tae hear of folks wearing the Cumming tartan.

T.

[Really a McQueen]

If I may ask, do you have Cumming ancestry? I'm not challenging you; our clan is a wee one, so it's always guid tae hear of folks wearing the Cumming tartan.

T.

Believe it or not, according to my late, great-aunt, there is Cumming on her side of the family (her mom was a Cummins, born in Nebraska in 1878, and G-G-grandfather Cummins was born in Ohio in 1832). It was her sister, who married my grandfather McQueen. So, the heritage is here, just diluted.

[Jay]

If I may ask, do you have Cumming ancestry? I'm not challenging you; our clan is a wee one, so it's always guid tae hear of folks wearing the Cumming tartan.

T.

I do not.

A PV Black Watch was my first kilt. The Cummings was my second - a 4 yard 16oz from Burnett's & Struth. It was actually a display model in my size. I absolutely loved the tartan.

The 3rd kilt is a 4 yard 16 oz I had made. For me by Burnett's. Same idea in that I love the tartan.


Large clan, small clan. It's all good if you have a nice pattern and colours in your tartan.

[macwilkin]

I do not.

A PV Black Watch was my first kilt. The Cummings was my second - a 4 yard 16oz from Burnett's & Struth. It was actually a display model in my size. I absolutely loved the tartan.

The 3rd kilt is a 4 yard 16 oz I had made. For me by Burnett's. Same idea in that I love the tartan.


Large clan, small clan. It's all good if you have a nice pattern and colours in your tartan.

Ah, well...we do have a nice tartan, INMHO. Is it is the Hunting Cumming or the standard tartan that is similar to MacGregor and MacAulay?

T.

[Riverkilt]

Okay,

I would think it an unreasonable expectation of myself to expect that other people would have any clue about my clan tartan being "my" tartan, and honor the traditions they've never heard of - or even care about my traditions.

So, what starts the ball rolling for me is my expectation that the other guy would even have a clue. So the "problem" would be my erroneous expectations of others and any anger or irritation that would arise from those expectations.

Better just to accept that others have no clue and be glad to see the tartan flying in public than to get into a twit over what I think the other guy should do.

Some years back at a highland games a guy came up to me and berated me for wearing my Macdonald Lord of the Isle kilt. He said that was reserved for the head of the clan and I had no right to wear it. My response was a common two word response to insults. I mentioned that someone must have forgotten to tell the mills since the tartan was woven in quantity and made up into kilts, neckties, et.al. on a regular basis. I have a necktie in the tartan that I bought back in the 60s.

This guy's expectation was that I would somehow know his version of tradition and honor it and when I didn't, it angered him....his issue, not mine.

I did follow up with the Clan and all the officers assured me anyone can wear Macdonald Lord of the Isles tartan. I learned a couple years later at the same games that he'd been asked not to come around the clan tent since he was so judgemental of others based on his own unusual expectations.

Point is, it starts in me - my expectations of others...it doesn't start with them doing something "wrong" with intention.