Hunting Stewart Kilt in Reproduction Colours from D.C. Dalgliesh

[creagdhubh]

Greetings,

So, I've actually been contemplating having a new kilt made up in a non-Macpherson tartan. Yes, yes I know, tis a rather massive shock coming from such a staunch Macpherson clansman. However, I just can't get over how attracted I am to the Hunting Stewart tartan in the reproduction colours from D.C. Dalgliesh (heavyweight stock tartan). A recent thread on the forum regarding this particular sett has peaked my long-time interest and infatuation with this tartan even more. So, what say you? Do you think it's perfectly acceptable for an individual like me, who has always been a "one tartan kind of lad," and who is completely and utterly devoted to my clan and Chief, to wear a tartan other than his own clan? To be honest, I've been struggling with this concept, but I do feel the Hunting Stewart tartan, in any colour scheme, is such a universal sett that anyone could wear without it feeling inappropriate, or in bad taste (my attempt at justifying it all, I know). Perhaps I have a Stewart connection in my Highland ancestry, but at the moment, I have yet to find any conclusive connection throughout my years of continuous genealogical research. Much of my Scottish ancestry is predominately Macpherson, Mackenzie, and Gow. Your thoughts would be much appreciated.



Cheers,

[MacMillans son]

Kyle,

I would say, for no other reason than your staunch historical position, don't do it. It is likely an attraction without meaning and I suspect that once the attraction wears off/lessens you will find this is a kilt that will sit in the closet not getting worn much. I have a number of universal tartan kilts that have fallen to that very fate. I fear one from a clan other than your own would likely suffer a similar, if not quicker fate. This is without judgement of peoples choices, just my own experience.

I do agree it is a handsome tartan, as is the old sett weathered. I've admired that one for quite some time too.


Brooke

[ASinclair]

Do not do this, my friend. In the 10 months or so I have been a member of the Rabble, I have read your posts and seen what a connection you have to your clan. Why wear any other tartan? In the words of one of our former presidents, " Wouldn't be prudent, not gonna do it."

[Godot]

Follow the rule on tattoos that I used to tell my students. Once you decide you want it, and are fully committed with money in hand to buy it, wait 6 months. If you still want it after 6 months go for it. I'd also make sure you know when you'll wear it. That's an expensive kilt to leave hanging in the closet. But it is a great tartan, I must agree.

[DyerStraits]

Follow the rule on tattoos that I used to tell my students. Once you decide you want it, and are fully committed with money in hand to buy it, wait 6 months. If you still want it after 6 months go for it. I'd also make sure you know when you'll wear it. That's an expensive kilt to leave hanging in the closet. But it is a great tartan, I must agree.

Now there's some guidance for you, from an educator, no less. I agree, that really is a fine weathered tartan. If I had a kilt made from it, I'd absolutely wear it to pieces.

[TheOfficialBren]

Gezz, Kyle! Pick a difficult topic, why don't you, man!
:-)

My primary claim to Highland lineage is through my farher's mother (Shaw).

My father's paternal line (Colbert [we pronounce the "t"]--we are not French and the French name is derrived from the Scottish one, not vice-versa) is earliest found in Galloway and the name is derrived from the name "Cuthbert." The name is also found in Ireland and England, it should be noted, but the earliest instances, even spelled the way that we spell it, are certainly found in Modern Scotland (it was the Kingdom of Northumbria then). There was no "Scot" land at the time but many peoples.

As you know I wear the Robertson Hunting tartan mainly. My maternal grandmother was a Robertson. I love the sett. It's gorgeous.

If I were to go back I'd maybe just the Shaw tartan and be done with it. I bought it during a time that I was researching my maternal geneology and was going through some deep, personal growth and the women in my life were strong anchors for me. The women in our family are all tough, independent, fiercely loyal, hearty women with whom one does not meddle unless at one's peril. They are have the blood of the Gael, the Cherokee, and the Normans coursing through their veins.

I was caught up in the romanticism of this then-unexplored lineage. Now that the emotion has calmed, I certainly don't have buyers' remourse, as it were, but feom time-to-time I do think about 'switching.' I am a bit cinflicted here but I think, in the end, I'm probably seriously over-thinking and should be grateful to be able to afford any kilt(s) at all.

I have a nice Holyrood that I've not worn since my Robertson arrived last year...

Do what thou wilt, friend of mine. You'll get no judgement from me.

(Apologies for the length, but it seemed necessary to help, my friend.)

[Carlo]

If you should decide to go for it, I will send you my measurements.

[KentuckyCeltophile]

If you like the tartan, but are not sure you want a kilt, would it be possible to have it made into a tam or scarf? I'm sure the Stewarts here would not object. And, rather a plug for a Stewart tartan make it a pro-Scotch tartan.
KC

[Mikilt]

You? I don't see it. You are so fortunate to have a clan tartan to call your own. I love the Hunting Stewart, but for you I suspect that it just wouldn't feel right.

[The Wizard of BC]

It is sort of strange because I have little or no Scottish connection, but I do have an appreciation for Tartan. I appreciate the colors and the designs. I appreciate the subtle interactions of color in the parts where two colors mix.

I sometime just look through my swatch books without looking at the names of a Tartans. Just to appreciate the patterns themselves.

But some cannot ever see what I see. They see the name. And some see only the name. They do not care what the Tartan looks like or what color it is. They only know that it carries the name.

And I feel that is truly unfortunate. There are some really beautiful Tartans out there. They should be appreciated for the art that they are.

And there are some Tartans which are not so nice. Sometimes the nice ones carry Clan names and sometimes not so nice Tartans carry Clan names too.

To me, who does not claim a Clan Tartan, I have wondered, if the name were not attached to a Tartan design, would some people actually wear it? Are they wearing it just because of the name? Even if they don't like the Tartan for its artistic value?

Because I don't wear Tartan for its name I can appreciate it for its beauty alone. I feel just a bit sorry for those who cannot feel the same emotion over a beautiful piece of Tartan.

From my perspective I feel that it is a bit strange that some would feel that they are in some way traitorous for appreciating beauty for it own sake. I wonder if we sometimes put so much emphasis on the name that we forget about the beauty.

We I were to take the advice offered above about waiting six months I would still choose beauty over name.

But I will avoid wearing a kilt in a Clan Tartan out of respect. But a universal Tartan? Well, Isle of Skye is universal and beautiful to me. I have no problem wearing a kilt in the Isle of Skye Tartan even though I am not from Skye and have never even been there.

If someone were to find a Tartan that they really like for its beauty, and that Tartan also carries a name that they can feel some emotional attraction to, I call that win-win.
If someone were to find a Tartan that they really like for its beauty, and that Tartan is also recognized as a totally universal Tartan, available to anyone, from anywhere, of any name, I would call that a win-win too.

Tartan is recognized the world over as a symbol of Scotland. 99% of the world do not know the names. If I am wearing a universal Tartan the world still sees it as Scottish. Again, win-win.

My personal 2 cents is to wear what you feel attracted to. For the name if that is all you can see. For the beauty if that is what you feel. Recognize and respect the Clan names but don't ignore the beauty and the Scottish essence of the Tartan itself.