Question: "spelling" tartans

[McKerrell]

Setting aside controversial matters and "Clan entitlements"--is it acceptable for an individual to rotate their way through various tartans? I mean, wear the Clan tartan sometimes, other times a universal, at other times something else? A lot of Americans do this, and I hasten to add they don't mix tartans in one outfit.

I have several friends who favor the Royal Stewart (Rothsay), a district or other such, a solid Irish-style. When they tire of wearing one, they switch. What is the purist view of this practice?

[piperdbh]

Alright, lads; I'll take this one.
Is it "acceptable" to own & wear multiple tartans?
The purist says, "No. Pick one & stick with it."
The non-purist says, "Sure. Do whatever you want."

The notion of being allowed or entitled to wear a tartan is a fairly recent invention. Historicalky speaking, Highlanders wore what was available and what they could afford. Various websites will often reproduce all sorts of "information" about rules & regulations of tartans, and dubious history, too.

Can/may one wear multiple tartans, either serially or simultaneously? If one can afford it, then yes. Is it "acceptable"? It depends on whom one wants to be accepted by.

[Steve Ashton]

As someone who's only Scottish connection is one of his 36 grandparents in 1842 who lists on a US Census form that his father was born in Scotland, I do not own or wear a Clan Tartan.

And I have 11 kilts. All different. I wear - In no particular order;

X Marks Tartan
Isle of Skye
Highland Granite
US Marine Corps Dress Blue
Company of Adventurers (Hudson's Bay Co.)
Victoria, City of Gardens
Black Watch (Weathered)
Marpat Temperate
Marpat Arid
6 Color Desert (Chocolate Chip)
Gray

And have retired 11 more.

[McKerrell]

As someone who's only Scottish connection is one of his 36 grandparents in 1842 who lists on a US Census form that his father was born in Scotland, I do not own or wear a Clan Tartan.

And I have 11 kilts. All different. I wear - In no particular order;

X Marks Tartan
Isle of Skye
Highland Granite
US Marine Corps Dress Blue
Company of Adventurers (Hudson's Bay Co.)
Victoria, City of Gardens
Black Watch (Weathered)
Marpat Temperate
Marpat Arid
6 Color Desert (Chocolate Chip)
Gray

And have retired 11 more.

That is awesome. I'm a Scrimgeour plus one more Clan, both coming from WAAAY back in the distaff side--and I'm entitled to wear Clergy Tartan. Per the wife's side, I sometimes wear a Dawson tartan though it's very new and not an old Clan tartan--the Dawson will be in 100 years.

The Isle of Skye is one of my top favorites, as is the weathered BW. I like when the weathering emphasizes the tan and lavender tint it has. Another I wear (my Glengarry) is Lochcarron Co. Scotland Forever.

[McKerrell]

As someone who's only Scottish connection is one of his 36 grandparents in 1842 who lists on a US Census form that his father was born in Scotland, I do not own or wear a Clan Tartan.

And I have 11 kilts. All different. I wear - In no particular order;

X Marks Tartan
Isle of Skye
Highland Granite
US Marine Corps Dress Blue
Company of Adventurers (Hudson's Bay Co.)
Victoria, City of Gardens
Black Watch (Weathered)
Marpat Temperate
Marpat Arid
6 Color Desert (Chocolate Chip)
Gray

And have retired 11 more.

If I weren't so poor and yet still unable to afford one kilt, I'd get an X Marks Tartan kilt. It's a gorgeous tartan. But I want my first two kilts to be Dawson and Scotland Forever.

[McKerrell]

Alright, lads; I'll take this one.
Is it "acceptable" to own & wear multiple tartans?
The purist says, "No. Pick one & stick with it."
The non-purist says, "Sure. Do whatever you want."

The notion of being allowed or entitled to wear a tartan is a fairly recent invention. Historically speaking, Highlanders wore what was available and what they could afford. Various websites will often reproduce all sorts of "information" about rules & regulations of tartans, and dubious history, too.

Can/may one wear multiple tartans, either serially or simultaneously? If one can afford it, then yes. Is it "acceptable"? It depends on whom one wants to be accepted by.

Well said. I agree all the way. My hope is maybe Jock will post and explain how they'd view this in Scotland. Your reply, though, is worth quoting--especially on the biggest dubious tartan site. They're big on Clan tartan entitlements.

[rome1453]

I am in the same boat. I have family traced back to the 1300s and I have many clans from Scotland but I am waiting to get a more formal family tree done so I will have a peace of mind in using the Royal Stewart tartan or others. I like to walk the line with rules and such...kind of a purist. But not in a bad way.

[McKerrell]

I am in the same boat. I have family traced back to the 1300s and I have many clans from Scotland but I am waiting to get a more formal family tree done so I will have a peace of mind in using the Royal Stewart tartan or others. I like to walk the line with rules and such...kind of a purist. But not in a bad way.

Thank you, Brother. I hope you'll keep us posted, even if my own days on this website are numbered.

[Steve Ashton]

But I want my first two kilts to be Dawson and Scotland Forever

I would strongly suggest that you research your choices at The Scottish Register of Tartan.

The Dawson Tartan was designed 19 June 2013 and is a personal Tartan "This tartan is intended to be used solely by Rafael Nunes and Rachael Dawson, their immediate family and descendants."

The Scotland Forever Tartan is registered as being designed in 2003, and while originally intended to be a corporate Tartan for Alex Scott & Co. it is woven by Lochcarron and readily available.

[derosa]

My connection is a little less tenuous with my mother being a Muir though "strictly speaking" this still excludes me. I still think nothing of wearing it and have met a couple Muirs here in the states that thought nothing of it except to wish they had one, it is starting to look a little worn in a couple spots. I've got a clergy kilt, I'm Presbyterian to boot, and I'm working on another; yup, it's the only kilt I wear to church. Looks sharp with black socks and a black shirt or grey socks and matching shirt. I've got a Black Watch as a throw on for whenever, and a generic tartan kilt I made that I like to toss on for work around the house. In my distant plans I've got Gordan as Muir is a sept of Gordan and I plan on a Russell, my grandfather, when he left his family was taken in by a Russell family. He changed his first name in honor of them and I was similarly named for the same reason, so although there is no family relation it is still a respectful reason. Once I move to NYC the tartan will make my short list, its on the long list since I was born down there, and I do like Stewart hunting.
Personally I like to wear the kilt 2-3 times a week or whenever the fancy strikes me. The clergy kilt is always worn with a clergy shirt, matching socks and dress shoes, the rest are worn with sweaters, t-shirts, button ups and whatever socks and footwear strike my fancy. Either way, I've never had anyone walk up to me and say "you can't wear that", so rock what you want.