Kilt/Tartan Help

[Nathan]

I have to say that personally, I think it's a lot more interesting when someone says they chose their tartan because they are a proud member of the "MacWhatever" clan or because one of their ancestors was, rather than when they say , "I liked the pretty colours and I got it on sale". True, there are no Tartan police, but I just think it's kind of lame, especially when you're of Highland heritage and already have a MacFarlane Tartan Kilt. I also agree that very few people would ever know, but I don't see that as a good reason to do something...

It's less severe but similar to the clan badge. In that example one is saying that you are loyal to a particular chief as the symbol in the centre of the belt is the top of the actual chief's coat of arms. In truth, the concept of clan tartans is a later tradition, but it's still one that I think has value. Similarly, it is an expression of regimental or clan loyalty.

If I see someone in my clan tartan or one I recognize, I'll strike up a conversation with them about that. At the risk of getting political, if I found out a Campbell of Argyll was wearing a MacDonald of Glencoe kilt and had no MacDonald connection, I'd think it was in poor taste.

I suspect that many people here would disagree with me and say wear what you want but I'll also warn you that I'm not alone in my opinion and it was commonly shared among the military and some piper kilt wearers I've known over the years. The Lord Lyon isn't going to hand out any fines and it's always great to see more kilts around but I have passed on a few firesale kilts in unrelated tartans because as a Highlander I have the choice of four different highland names, three regional tartans and a religious affiliation tartan. That should be enough to keep me happy.

[Singlemalt]

I agree with Nathan, if I saw you in the tartan of my family I would go over to greet you and see how we are connected. If your response was; "Oh I just liked the colours". I would be mildly annoyed, not angry and not rude but a little miffed.

For these reason I can't see myself wearing a kilt in a tartan other than one I have a family or regional connection with or one of the many universal tartans.

I know many do not agree but before you make your decision you should be aware that some take it more seriously than others.

[Grizzly]

Umm..... am at a bit of a loss to understand you. If you knew the answer to your own question why did you ask it in the first place especially when you don't like the answers that you were given!

[mookien]

I was prepared to write one of my "brilliant" posts, but I think Grizzly, paulhenry, and Pleater have pretty much said it all.

I also think Nathan and Singlemalt have added something important, as well. They wouldn't feel "right" wearing just any tartan for some arbitrary reason. So, it really is up to the individual. You just have to figure out how you feel about it and have the courage of your convictions. Good luck.

[Chas]

Snip ... I would be mildly annoyed, not angry and not rude but a little miffed. ... snip ...
I know many do not agree but before you make your decision you should be aware that some take it more seriously than others.

I agree with Singlemalt. I invested a lot of time and money in my RAF tartan kilt. When this subject was raised 2 years ago, I said I was miffed that an East German pipe band wore the same tartan because the grandfather of the founding member was too drunk to go to Dresden the day the RAF carpet bombed the city. Did I feel honoured that they were wearing the RAF tartan?
[sarcasm on] I sure did! I was so pleased! [sarcasm off]

The word miffed really got the membership going. Most couldn't stop rolling in the aisles. One of our esteemed members thought it was a form of sexual perversion - nudge, nudge, wink, wink - Did you get miffed this weekend?

I only wear tartans to which I have a connection, and I think I would be happier if everybody would do the same.

Regards

Chas

[guardsman]

So your a MacFarlane ! Then wear MacFarlane, simple as, I have Cameron , Robertson andMacAllister in my line, why would I wear other? Your connected to MacFarlane and shaw, believe Shaw to be a sept of Clan MacIntosh. An ancestral enemy of the Camerons ! So cmon and show your colours .Be what you are,

[cck]

I think this subject has been covered rather well from both standpoints. Whenever I wear a kilt I am frequently asked about the tartan. So, for me, it is comfortable to say that this is a tartan from a family whose name I bear or this is my is great grandmothers tartan, etc. Often a nice conversation develops.

[David Thorpe]

I understand that the availablity of "universal"tartans are out and about. I was asking about proper protcol on me seeing a kilt at a shop and wasn't a McFarlane or Shaw (my two family's)tartans and wearing it.......

I understood the question and assumed, perhaps erroneously, that the reason you were looking at used kilts at a shop was a matter either of expense or urgency. That was the reason for the wording of my reply.

This topic has been a dead horse for quite some time now on this forum. The horse is an early, now extinct species. What we are beating here yet again is no more than fossilized bones reduced to dust.

[Singlemalt]

I agree with Singlemalt. I invested a lot of time and money in my RAF tartan kilt. When this subject was raised 2 years ago, I said I was miffed that an East German pipe band wore the same tartan because the grandfather of the founding member was too drunk to go to Dresden the day the RAF carpet bombed the city. Did I feel honoured that they were wearing the RAF tartan?
[sarcasm on] I sure did! I was so pleased! [sarcasm off]

The word miffed really got the membership going. Most couldn't stop rolling in the aisles. One of our esteemed members thought it was a form of sexual perversion - nudge, nudge, wink, wink - Did you get miffed this weekend?

I only wear tartans to which I have a connection, and I think I would be happier if everybody would do the same.

Regards

Chas

One of the things I enjoy about this forum is because it is global and we often slip into discussions about complex personal feelings we often uncover language gaps where the reader hears something very different than the poster intended. Reading this I realize that I have used the word "miffed" before and perhaps been misunderstood. To me it is a very good and useful word. Of course it means "mildly offended" but it also implies that this feeling is petty and so when I say someone wearing my tartan makes me feel miffed. I mean it annoys me but I also recognize I am being petty.

[Wil]

I understood the question and assumed, perhaps erroneously, that the reason you were looking at used kilts at a shop was a matter either of expense or urgency. That was the reason for the wording of my reply.

This topic has been a dead horse for quite some time now on this forum. The horse is an early, now extinct species. What we are beating here yet again is no more than fossilized bones reduced to dust.

I want a new kilt, I guess you could say I have a "itch". I just happened to see one that was used and in my size, it was Rose tartan (I think) and I thought it was nice. That is what put the thought into my head. Could/Should you wear it, I couldn't tell you 100% that I thought wearing a family tartan that wasn't your own was ok (or I would have purchased it straight away). Nor could I tell you 100% that it was ok..... This is where the question came from.
I asked a cousin in Aberdeen but he is on holiday so he has yet to get back with me about it. So that is why I asked you guys, knowing I would get both sides (pros/cons) and knowing that someone would get "miffed" (lucky him I still needed to know. So thank you all......
I am a MacFarlane & a Shaw all of these tartans are great and I have my answer..........