Mixing tartans

[Terry Searl]

I think any tartan can and should stand alone and mixing them can detract from each of them ........ it is also just my opinion that tartans are great conversational ice-breakers, and are often a reason that perfect strangers will start a conversation ......I don't think of any tartan as being introductory statements ......although some may view them as such.......and in some cases they do act as cards of introduction

[Geoff Withnell]

A hypothetical question. As a Davidson, I have several tartans I can wear, and possibly mix. I could also wear Chattan tartan, since the Davidson clan is part of the Chattan Confederation. How would Scots react to mixing Chattan and Davidson? Jock, I especially request your input.

[Jock Scot]

A hypothetical question. As a Davidson, I have several tartans I can wear, and possibly mix. I could also wear Chattan tartan, since the Davidson clan is part of the Chattan Confederation. How would Scots react to mixing Chattan and Davidson? Jock, I especially request your input.

Good question Geoff. I like many Scots could wear many tartans, but we generally don't. I am not a member of Clan Chattan or any of the connected Clans, so I can only give you impressions of what I see and perceive. Rex would no doubt give us an inside slant on this.

However, I have never seen a Clan Chattan tartan being worn in the wild, but I have seen Davidson, Magillvery and Mackintosh tartans worn around here regularly--------Torcastle is only a wee walk away--------and have never seen them mixed. It appears to me that it's one tartan and that's it. Now there are several reasons for this that might explain the one tartan route, I think.

One. The cost of a "real"kilt, a tank in xmarks terms. Please understand the modern cheapo kilt sold on Princess street in Edinburgh, are a new phenomenon to Scotland and just will not do for most Highlanders, the kilt is long term investment so a "real" kilt is what is required. So it's buy once and buy the best. A tartan collection in kilt form is just not a consideration.

Two. Ostentation is not considered a merit in the UK and Scotland in general and particularly in the Highlands, so more than one tartan smacks of ostentation. Besides, very few, I kid you not, could afford more than one tartan in quality kilt form and if you could, then one would not want to raise ones profile by having two, or more , tartans of different Clans.

Three. Traditionally one chooses ones fathers tartan and it would be really bad form to reject that tradition as it is regarded as a real and very public slap in the face for the father if his tartan is not worn.

Four. Most Scots do not recognise many tartans, perhaps 5 at best, even less would know the finer details of the Clan Chattan, so points one to three would instantly spring to mind. We also need to remember that the Scots do not talk about tartans often, if at all, so the endless chat about this or that tartan that we have here on this website just do not happen in Scotland. Generally, no one is really interested in tartan other than their own.

If we were to go back to my "Food For Thought" and " Food For Thought 2" threads I think you will see the trends in some Scots thinking, clearly there.

[Geoff Withnell]

Thank you, Jock, much the answer I expected. I only asked from curiosity. I have the sort of mind that likes to explore the edges of ideas. So when mixing tartans within a clan is said to be acceptable, my mind immediately went to "What about..."

[McMurdo]

Mixing tartans when done right can look great. I would caution against mixing Clan tartans as you may ruffle some feathers that way, rather wear a regional or other non Clan tartan with your clan tartan. Below is a photo taken a few years ago at a local highland games, it was used on the front of the paper and was quite prominent, I am wearing my Clan tartan and my Burns Check Tartan Argyll Jacket.

[Jock Scot]

I have learnt something today Glen, thank you. I had no idea that there was a Burns brown check tartan. I doubt many would, even in Scotland. Whilst I like the check pattern very much and it does make a very nice jacket pattern, but now that I know its a Clan/family tartan other than my own, I could not possibly wear it even on its own and most certainly I would not wear it with another Clan tartan.

[figheadair]

I have learnt something today Glen, thank you. I had no idea that there was a Burns brown check tartan. I doubt many would, even in Scotland. Whilst I like the check pattern very much and it does make a very nice jacket pattern, but now that I know its a Clan/family tartan other than my own, I could not possibly wear it even on its own and most certainly I would not wear it with another Clan tartan.

The Burns Check (sometimes called a tartan) is a c1950s pattern that cannot rightly be called a clan/family tartan. Whilst the trade sometimes call is such, there is actually a separate Burns tartan (principally red and green) that follows a more traditional design.

[Jock Scot]

The Burns Check (sometimes called a tartan) is a c1950s pattern that cannot rightly be called a clan/family tartan. Whilst the trade sometimes call is such, there is actually a separate Burns tartan (principally red and green) that follows a more traditional design.

Thank you Peter for those details, I am familiar with the more well known Burns tartan, but me being me now that I know and even though I had actually mildly considered getting a kilt jacket made in the now identified Burns check pattern. I will now seek elsewhere.

[Padre]

... the now identified Burns check pattern. I will now seek elsewhere.

My understanding was that the Burns Check was made to honor the poet Robert Burns. Wouldn't all Scots claim him as their own?

[Jock Scot]

My understanding was that the Burns Check was made to honor the poet Robert Burns. Wouldn't all Scots claim him as their own?

Not this Scot! Interestingly,in my experience, the fellow is not regarded with the same enthusiasm in the Highlands as elsewhere in Scotland and the rest of the world.