New to kilt wear! Need advice

**Chaplain Harris** · 13th December 06, 09:36 AM

One, I have finally bought a kilt, I'm new to my heritage to Scotland and have now a kilt, we were not of a clan but a district, and several questions have popped up for me. One I'm an ordained minister, in which I've been asked to give the Kirkin o the tartan in a local setting. So I just want to dress somewhat the part.

I've several items made from my tartan, ties, scarf etc. I've noticed several pictures that there is some part of the tartan that crosses over the shoulder, is that just fashion or does it signify anything?

Any advice is gladly accepted.

Brian Harris

**Jimmy the Celt** · 13th December 06, 09:48 AM

First of all, welcome!

As for the tartan over the shoulder, you maybe thining either of the belted plaid, where the tartan goes over the shoulder, a fly plaid, or a pipers plaid, which is worn a bit differently. As far as significance goes, I'll leave that to others who know better than I.

**PiobBear** · 13th December 06, 10:23 AM

A plaid worn over the shoulder is just a fashion, with no real significance to it. It's usually reserved for formal wear, and not everyone cares for them; to each his own.
A local Presbyterian minister from Glasgow preaches his Kirkin' service in a matching Lindsay kilt and stole with an Argyll jacket; looks good on him.

**Cawdorian** · 13th December 06, 10:31 AM

My pastor conducts the Kirk'n service in an Hunting Fraser Kilt, a Braemor jacket and vest.

**TimC** · 13th December 06, 10:31 AM

Welcome to the forum and the addiction!

-Tim

**RockyR** · 13th December 06, 10:48 AM

Hello Brian,

Welcome to the Forum!

Just as an FYI... there is a CLERGY tartan (pretty much is the Clark tartan with a slightly different color). Have you seen that one yet?

**pdcorlis** · 13th December 06, 10:58 AM

Hey Rocky - I've heard that the Clergy tartan is also appropriate for teachers - is that true? (sorry for the hijack)

Welcome to you Brian! We have other Clergy members on this board - hopefully they will shed some light here.

Thanks!

**O'Neille** · 13th December 06, 12:43 PM

Do a dress rehearsal. Put up a picture and you will receive a lot of advice. Welcome, O'Neille

**scoutniagara** · 13th December 06, 01:09 PM

I've never heard that the clergy tartan is for teachers. My brother's a minister, and I'm a teacher, but my brother is on his way to a career change to teaching.

See a sample of the most common clergy tartan here:
http://www.thetartanbox.com/Tartans/...Clergy-B-M.htm

**RockyR** · 13th December 06, 01:09 PM

Originally Posted by pdcorlis

Hey Rocky - I've heard that the Clergy tartan is also appropriate for teachers - is that true? (sorry for the hijack)

Welcome to you Brian! We have other Clergy members on this board - hopefully they will shed some light here.

Thanks!

Honestly, I have no idea. There very well may be, but I wouldn't feel comfortable saying yes or no as I don't know enough about that one to speak with 100% certainty. Also, I'm the type who doesn't wear "appropriate" tartans... I just wear what I like. ;)

On a somewhat related note... There are actually a LOT of rumors and half truths that float around about what tartans people "can/can't" wear and how old they are and origins of certain things.

Example... I had a guy come into the shop and SWEAR that the Ancient version of 1 tartan was different than the MODERN version for 1 REASON ONLY... his Clan (which shall remain nameless) supposedly buried their kilts in the bog to hide them from the English and when they unearthed them, the acid in the bog had discolored the tartan. THAT was the way how "ancient tartans colors" came about for this clan. No matter how I tried to explain to him that this wasn't the case and correct him with the REAL story about muted/modern/ancient/old color/etc, he wouldn't listen. In his mind, he was right b/c that's what he had heard. It's a shame that people hear these "romanticized storeis" and take them as fact.