Allowed tartans

[Chase]

I was fortunate enough to be associated with a group of operators in Iraq that actually had a tartan registered/comissioned for PSD...It's called the Operation Iraqi Freedom tartan and until then, I never knew I was eligible.

As I started researching the subject, I found that I was 50/50 and my mother (maiden name Colborne) was from Nova Scotia and my father was French Canadian...He wore a tartan from the RCAC while in the Army...Not that any of this matters, I have since purchased and worn the Scottish National, my PSD tartan, and a utility.

Turns out, I look pretty good...LOL...Anyway, I'm very proud to be associated with you guys and look forward to reading more interesting threads on the subject.

Respectfully,

Chase

[Colin]

I was fortunate enough to be associated with a group of operators in Iraq that actually had a tartan registered/comissioned for PSD...It's called the Operation Iraqi Freedom tartan and until then, I never knew I was eligible.

Jay is actually a member here. Do a search on the tartan, as I believe there were a few threads about that one.

Try these ones for starters:

http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/s...ad.php?t=19242

http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/s...ad.php?t=17562

[gilmore]

I came across this on Lord Lyon's site ( http://www.lyon-court.com/lordlyon/l...=Content.show& ):

"There are no strict rules on who has the right to wear a particular tartan. People normally wear only the tartan (if any) of their surname, or a "district tartan" connected with where they live or where their family come from.

Wearing a particular clan tartan indicates that the wearer bears an allegiance to the chief of that clan."

[kiltedsawyer]

Follow your own rules......just don't impose them on others!
Respectfully,
David

[slohairt]

Indeed, follow your own rules.

On the issue of clans and chiefs, I am somewhat torn. I understand the sense of community one feels from a clan, but I dislike the idea of clan chiefs. Especially hereditary ones. Considering the way the clan system ended in both the Highlands of Scotland and in Ireland, I am surprised that anyone would feel kinship towards an office which more often than not, betrayed them (Scotland) or abandoned them (Ireland).

Instead, I think a clan association with an elected chief would be infinitely preferable.

[macwilkin]

Indeed, follow your own rules.

On the issue of clans and chiefs, I am somewhat torn. I understand the sense of community one feels from a clan, but I dislike the idea of clan chiefs. Especially hereditary ones. Considering the way the clan system ended in both the Highlands of Scotland and in Ireland, I am surprised that anyone would feel kinship towards an office which more often than not, betrayed them (Scotland) or abandoned them (Ireland).

Instead, I think a clan association with an elected chief would be infinitely preferable.

You're making unfair generalizations. Not every chief betrayed their clansmen, although I'm not denying some did. And as a historian, one of the first rules I learned was not to judge either people in the past by modern standards, or modern-day persons because of the actions of their ancestors.

And as far as Irish Chiefs go, well, that's a bit of a "sticky wicket" after the MacCarthy Mor Hoax back in the late '90s:

http://homepage.eircom.net/~seanjmurphy/chiefs/

Todd

[slohairt]

You're making unfair generalizations. Not every chief betrayed their clansmen, although I'm not denying some did. And as a historian, one of the first rules I learned was not to judge either people in the past by modern standards, or modern-day persons because of the actions of their ancestors.

And as far as Irish Chiefs go, well, that's a bit of a "sticky wicket" after the MacCarthy Mor Hoax back in the late '90s:

http://homepage.eircom.net/~seanjmurphy/chiefs/

Todd

I agree, some didn't betray their folk. That's why I said more or less. But I'm not judging them by modern standards either. Those in the past who betrayed their clan turned their back on a centuries-old system. I suspect in their day they were judged quite harshly by their clansmen. Later, once their responsibilities were gone, they festooned themselves in Highland finery, concocted some romantic fantasies, and almost mocked the system they themselves had in hand in destroying.

As for the modern chiefs, it's the hereditary office I dislike, not the individuals themselves. They certainly can't be judged by the actions of their ancestors anymore than the rest of us could. I just think elected chiefs would be closer to the original system of Tanistry.

As for Irish chiefs, well, I think you'll find there is little regard for them among many in Ireland.

[Don Patrick]

Indeed, follow your own rules.

On the issue of clans and chiefs, I am somewhat torn. I understand the sense of community one feels from a clan, but I dislike the idea of clan chiefs. Especially hereditary ones. Considering the way the clan system ended in both the Highlands of Scotland and in Ireland, I am surprised that anyone would feel kinship towards an office which more often than not, betrayed them (Scotland) or abandoned them (Ireland).

Instead, I think a clan association with an elected chief would be infinitely preferable.

I guess we can't all have our cake and eat it too. I suspect the tartan will continue to remain a domain of it's individual clan chief.

As a member of the Gray Clan I should be able to relate to your remarks.

[Moose McLennan]

...I personally believe that one should wear only his own tartan (clan's tartan) or an acceptable common tartan (national tartans).

Respectfully, that would mean a lot of orphaned kilts. I wear Cameron of Erracht but have no connection to the regiment that I know of (I don't know what regiments my grandfathers served in in WWII, they rarely talked about the war and were not military minded).

I like the practical and subdued colours, and the baroque swing. The kilt seems indestructible (i.e. thornproof) and fits well. It is heavy enough not to need a kilt pin or ever need ironing. No fringes, belt loops or any other bells and whistles to catch anywhere. It keeps the rain off. Dirt just brushes off, and is rarely visible anyway. It looks like new despite being over thirty years old. It's mine, I wear it a lot and I'm extremely proud of it.

The alternatives (lower-end lightweight casual kilt for the same price, save up and pay eight times that amount for my 'own' name, or do without a kilt completely) are not really alternatives to my mind. Army surplus (and note the word 'surplus') is a way I'd recommend to anyone.

M.

[AllenJ]

I used to be of the "your clan only" party. But have since switched sides once I learned that originally there was no such thing as a clan tartan. Wear what you like, just like any other article of clothing!