Tartan Manners?

**adamjthompson** · 20th January 12, 12:54 PM

So...I just bought my first kilt. I needed a costume for an event, which made a good excuse to buy a kilt for regular wearing.

I do not know if I have Scottish ancestors or not - I do know I have lots of English and Irish ancestors. So, I just chose a tartan based on what was available and what I liked...I ended up with a MacDonald clan tartan.

My question is - are there rules about wearing a clan tartan you aren't a member of?

Like if I were to wear my kilt to highland games or other such gatherings, would it be frowned upon for me to be wearing a clan tartan when I don't know which if any clan should be part of?

**ozarkjacobite** · 20th January 12, 02:05 PM

You can wear any tartan you choose & wear it proudly.

Welcome to XMTS from the Missouri Ozarks.

**gpmeakin** · 20th January 12, 02:23 PM

You CAN wear any tartan you like but you should know something about it. and please do not call the kilt a costume

**ctbuchanan** · 20th January 12, 02:29 PM

And be ready with your answer when the MacDonalds hail you as a cousin. Just sing the praises of their tartan and you'll be fine. (Or you could fib a bit and claim a distant ggggggggrandfather and none would be the wiser.)

But to answer your question - here in the USA there are no rules, but there is etiquette. See above.

OR - simply blaspheme about the Campbells and no one will doubt you at all. :-)

**Chas** · 20th January 12, 02:37 PM

Hi Adam,

99.9% of the people you see will not know what tartan you are wearing.

Unless you tell them, no one will know that it is not your clan.

If asked, you can tell them that it is in fact MacDonald and then you add "It's on my mother's side".

No further questions or problems.

Why not have a post in the newbie section and get a proper welcome from everybody.

Regards

Chas

**kiltedjoss** · 20th January 12, 02:41 PM

Enjoy the kilt! What tartan will your second kilt be?

**Burly Brute** · 20th January 12, 02:47 PM

Originally Posted by kiltedjoss

Enjoy the kilt! What tartan will your second kilt be?

It...has....begun!

**ccga3359** · 20th January 12, 02:54 PM

Now if you went complete opposite of MacDonald that would be Campbell, Black Watch or Government Sett, nobody could question you wearing it. You may encounter some "know-it-all" that says you can't wear a clan tartan if you're not a clan member. These boorish people simply do not know what they're talking about. However, as mentioned before, know something about the tartan you choose to wear as a sign of respect to it. As for not being Scottish, again who cares. I'm English, not a drop of Scots in me I still wear a kilt and my Scot friends don't give a toss. Welcome to XMTS, trust you've found a home here. Any advise, feel free to ask.

**Riverkilt** · 20th January 12, 03:44 PM

If you've Irish and/or English blood in you chances are if you had the full geneaological chart you'd find a Macdonald or two lurking on a branch of your family trees. Clan Donald was well traveled. Wear it with pride and buy some more kilts.