Wearing a tartan if not Celtic heritage

[Phil]

Can I tell a little story here? It is a true story although I have changed it slightly. Once upon a time there was a lodge belonging to an elderly lady and each year a select and favoured group of acquaintances were invited to join her there and enjoy her hospitality. When the old lady eventually departed this life her family had no objections, whatsoever, about others enjoying the facility. The acquaintances and other “hangers-on” were deeply upset and raised objections, however, that any outsider should ever be able to make use of what was once their exclusive domain.
What this analogy is trying to highlight is the “dog in a manger” attitude some seem to have about tartans as theirs and theirs alone. The entrenched prejudice about anyone not “entitled” having the temerity to wear a jealously guarded tartan and, by so doing, somehow infringing their exclusive right to it. How often we see this and it must be a deep-seated trait in human personality to want to retain as an exclusive possession something even so trivial as a piece of cloth made in a particular pattern, for that is all it is, no more and no less.

[JRB]

...the wearing of more than one tartan,without good reason, will be noted...

Not to stray too far off topic, but does the above statement apply to the wearing of more than one tartan from the same clan (i.e. hunting XXXX, dress XXXX, ancient XXXX, etc.) or just to wearing the tartan of more than one clan.

[Rex_Tremende]

What this analogy is trying to highlight is the “dog in a manger” attitude some seem to have about tartans as theirs and theirs alone. The entrenched prejudice about anyone not “entitled” having the temerity to wear a jealously guarded tartan and, by so doing, somehow infringing their exclusive right to it. How often we see this and it must be a deep-seated trait in human personality to want to retain as an exclusive possession something even so trivial as a piece of cloth made in a particular pattern, for that is all it is, no more and no less.

I think this is a most astute observation, Phil. To think about it, I would bet we've all seen this play out in various ways throughout our lives.

A long time ago in a workshop I attended, the facilitator asked a group to stand in a circle facing each other. One individual was left to stand outside of the circle, and was given the instruction to try and get into the circle, too. Well, there was much pushing back and closing of ranks, and the outsider could not get in. The thing was that at no point did the facilitator instruct the circle of participants to keep the outsider out. They did it instinctively. I rather think that this exercise forever altered my thinking about in-groups and clubs, being open to people crossing imaginary boundaries, and my relationships with "others."

Regards,
Rex.

[David H]

I will just echo what some of the others are saying about this topic, if you don't have a strong family connection maybe you have an organizational tie to one. I had to go back to my GG Grandmother to find a known Scottish connection, McKinney. If you have been in the military, there is a tartan for each branch. Your job may have thier own tartan, for example Police and Firefighters. And as someone else mentioned, a lot of States have a tartan at this time.
So, you have more options than you really think. Have fun trying to find one. I have spent hours and hours looking over the different sites. I know which one will be my next one and it will most likely be the last one I purchase. However, I will explain why I choose that one in due time.

[Bugbear]

I just get the subtle impression that the tartans, other than the long established clan tartans, are... not well recieved by some in the Highlands. I'm not sure Phil's story is getting at that, almost seems the oppisit, but I do feel outside the circle from time to time.

[muirkirkca]

The expats from Scotland that I know don't seem to get too involved with the clan/tartan relationship. They have been exposed to widespread multiculturalism in the Toronto area and any participation in Scottish activities regardless of the persons background is appreciated. This includes wearing of the kilt.

[Jock Scot]

Not to stray too far off topic, but does the above statement apply to the wearing of more than one tartan from the same clan (i.e. hunting XXXX, dress XXXX, ancient XXXX, etc.) or just to wearing the tartan of more than one clan.

Good question! So very few kilt wearing Scots have more than one kilt,so yes I suppose it would be noted if you wear more than one tartan of the same clan. I suspect the thought would be something along the lines of;"....damn fool must have more money than sense......". The wearing of tartans of different clans, without good reason (pipe band for example), would receive far more robust thoughts! Although, wearing a dress tartan of your clan,if it has one, at the appropriate time would not raise an eyebrow. |The words like " money" and "sense" may still occur to the local onlooker though!

I am considering getting a new kilt made! If I do, I think I would have the "weathered" version of my tartan, I will let you know what the locals thoughts are in due course! At a guess it will be something like;"..... best humour the old boy(silly old duffer)......has not a clue what he is doing........never been the same since........fancy trying to get all modern at his age........". I fancy I will not be too far out!

[campbell]

Universal tartans include:

Black watch
Royal Stewart
Dress Stewart
Hunting Stewart
Black Stewart (mourning/funeral tartan)
Pride of Scotland
Solid Black (non-tartan)

[Spc. Scott]

Don't forget PA!
We do have one of the better state tartans (although I may be a bit biased about that )

Yes we do! (PA is my home state)

[Scotus]

One of my favorite fashion tartans is Monarch of the Glen by House of Edgar. I just throw it out there as a choice. That being said...

...I agree with Chas; whatever tartan you choose, have a reason/connection to the tartan. Maybe you've visited some place in Scotland and fell in love with it and you choose that tartan. Fine, but have some emotional connection to the tartan. Lots and lots of people will ask, "Why that tartan?"