great photo of high-rise Army kilt

[Nathan]

Yep, I think most regimental tartans are based on clan tartans from the original heads of the regiments, but they are still considered universal due to their military use. And especially with the discernible difference in build for military kilts, it seems that people instantly recognise a military kilt as being what it is, rather than a typical clan-tartan kilt. But I can understand not wanting to wear a tartan that's not significant to you. On the flip side, though, it would be a rare thing indeed to see a military-style kilt in a civilian clan (i.e. non-military associated) tartan. Might be kinda neat, though! It would depend on the tartan.

I know this is a really old post, but I wanted to weigh in. Black Watch and Royal Stuart have a long tradition of being considered Universal tartans because they are government setts etc...

Other regimental tartans aren't so universal. Clearly they aren't restricted by mills, but they are by etiquette.

For example, The Nova Scotia Highlanders wear Clan Donald Modern, the Seaforth Highlanders wear MacKenzie, the Stormont Dundas and Glengarry Highlanders wear MacDonell of Glengarry, none of these are universal tartans, but a member of the regiment is considered akin to a loyal member of the clan by way of tradition.

By contrast, there are some tartans that are only used by regiments, and members of that regiment get prickly when they see civilians in their regimental colours. The O'Saffron tartan is a good example of this. It is associated with the Irish Regiment of Canada and if you have one, it's obvious Army surplus.

There is also the further taboo of mixing military and civilian kit so even as a MacDonald, I've been given a hard time for wearing the Nova Scotia Highlanders military box pleat set kilt by former members of the regiment. I remind them that I have a history with the regiment and am indeed a MacDonald and they usually settle down but tsk me for wearing military kit with civvies.

Just my thoughts...

[OC Richard]

I think most regimental tartans are based on clan tartans from the original heads of the regiments

If we're talking the original Scottish Highland regiments raised in the 18th century, it's a mixed bag.

First of course is the tartan of The Black Watch, the origin of which seems to be impossible to ascertain. Ditto Cameron of Erracht, though it's obviously a MacDonald tartan with yellow line added.

Seaforth MacKenzie and Gordon appear to be simply Black Watch with added lines.

Anyhow I'm not sure that there's clear evidence that any of these were a pre-existing tartan worn by the family of the regiment's founder.

it would be a rare thing indeed to see a military-style kilt in a civilian clan (i.e. non-military associated) tartan

For sure true if we're talking a true MOD Other Rank's kilt, because I've only seen that style of tartan available in the tartans the Army uses. It's the very heavy wool, huge sett size, and moreover the surface of the wool has a different feel to it, a softer/fuzzier feel, a bit more like a travel rug.

Though other attributes of military kilts are seen sometimes with civilian kilts, such as being pleated to the line, lacking belt loops, or plain binding.

So true that I don't think I've ever seen a civilian kilt that had ALL the attributes of an army kilt (pleated to the line, high rise, green binding, black two-prong buckles, no fringe).