FL Newbie with Questions

**truckie561** · 6th June 11, 04:39 PM

Greetings from the Sunshine State. Well, like plenty of others I've been lurking on the outskirts trying to increase my personal know-how on properly wearing kilts from info gathered on this forum. I've finally decided to pull the trigger on purchasing a kilt, but have come to a screeching halt as a result of not knowing enough about the "Rules" for wearing a kilt. Such as, is there a right or wrong tartan to buy? My grandmother was a Kyle, but I am unaware of there being a Kyle clan. So, what do guys like me, who are part Scottish, but only have a last name to go on proceed in selecting a kilt? I've seen some decent kilts on this site and locally for sale, but I am hesitant for fear of buying one that may possibly associate me with a clan that I am not associated with and then come off looking like a jerk. Can someone point me in the right direction for getting the correct information on purchasing used and new kilts. I thought there might be a sticky, but I haven't found one....I'm probably just looking in the wrong spot. Forgive my ramblings and shoddy intro.....but any help would be appreciated.
Thanks

**Spartan Tartan** · 6th June 11, 04:53 PM

There are a couple ways to approach this....

Universal tartans are plentiful and designed to be worn by anyone. There are more than I can even possibly name. You could choose from among those without any concern about being "in the wrong".

You could also look at the various District tartans. These are not unique to a family or clan, rather they are representative of a place of origin. You can get them from nearly anywhere you or your family are from.

If you want a family or clan kilt, you can do a bit of geneology. I am certainly not the expert on this, but from what I understand, you can use the first "clan" name hat you come to when going back generations. I do not know, but Kyle could be affiliated with another clan as well. You could check that angle too.

Best of luck!!

**CMcG** · 6th June 11, 05:00 PM

Welcome to Xmarks!

Opinions vary about what tartans people "should" wear...

I don't think you could go wrong with the Florida tartan, but that would probably be a custom weave:
http://www.tartanregister.gov.uk/tar....aspx?ref=5912

There are also two Kyle clan tartans and several Kyle fashion tartans:
http://www.tartanregister.gov.uk/qRe...rchString=kyle

Or you could just buy the MacDonald kilt that you PMed me about because it is a good deal and a good looking tartan

**Spartan Tartan** · 6th June 11, 05:06 PM

There you go. Kyle family tartan right there. You can always count on CMcG to hit the nail on the head.

**GaRebel211** · 6th June 11, 05:07 PM

First of all, Welcome to the Rabble from Athens Ga. Secondly, (and please anyone else with better information chime in) There are no rules associated with a tartan, However, I like you had limited names by which I could feel comfortable wearing around others who could associate with a clan. Up until last year I could not find my clan purely because of geneology reasons and once that was made (spelling change) its all green beans. I would also suggest looking under the septs. When a clan or family was too small to battle/retain lands/ etc a larger clan would "adopt" them into a larger clan. Made sense for tactical purposes, anyway the wearing of the larger clans tartan was also allowed. So the long and short of it is that your family might be of a different surname but would fall under a larger clan. (ex: I have a maternal line that was a Godfrey- the clan was Sinclair or a paternal line that was Weaver- the clan was Watson.)
Hope this helps and welcome to the board

**truckie561** · 6th June 11, 05:19 PM

Originally Posted by CMcG

There are also two Kyle clan tartans and several Kyle fashion tartans:
http://www.tartanregister.gov.uk/qRe...rchString=kyle

Or you could just buy the MacDonald kilt that you PMed my about because it is a good deal and a good looking tartan

Thanks for all the replys and advice.....I'm lovin' this forum already.

Awesome, Thanks for the link on the Kyle tartan. Not the best tartan I've seen, but it's got meaning. And I think I will buy that kilt. I pm'd ya.

Is there a firefighter tartan? I heard there was one out there, anyone got any info on that tartan?

**Joshua** · 6th June 11, 05:39 PM

I wear/have worn:

Davidson (as my last name is Davis, which is Welsh, but has the same "Surname definition" of meaning "Son Of David".) Prior to doing my genealogical research I, like many, simply assumed that was my clan during my early kilted days. I have since contacted Clan Davidson and the leadership in this country has no problem with me wearing that particular tartan, and actually welcomed me to join the clan regardless of my genealogy... being a "Davis" and a highland games athlete was enough! (well, and paying member dues).

Caledonia - I have two Caledonia kilts on their way to me right now, one I ordered from Skye Highland (8-yard), and the other is a pre-owned USAK (Casual). Caledonia is possibly one of the busiest "Universal" tartans out there, and is loaded with green, blue, yellow, black, red... (it's the tartan in my avatar)

Black Watch - This kilt gets the most wear from me. Probably one of the most common "universal" tartans out there... but be ready to get asked if you are a Campbell (several clans use Black Watch as their "Hunting" tartan, but it seems like you can't throw a bagpipe without hitting a Campbell

).

Black Stewart - Another nice "Universal" tartan, I wore mine mostly as a fashion tartan as I thought it looked really good with a red silk tie and green waistcoat (my Christmas party attire). I ended up loaning this one to a friend who "outgrew" his kilt.

It's always good to seek permission, however there are PLENTY of tartans out there of all colors/combos that really have no ancestral meaning whatsoever. As many here reminded me, when I proclaimed "I'm not Scottish", the reply "You don't have to be Scottish to be comfortable" becomes a welcome and warm mantra here.

**CMcG** · 6th June 11, 06:07 PM

Originally Posted by truckie561

<snip>

Is there a firefighter tartan? I heard there was one out there, anyone got any info on that tartan?

There are several:
http://www.tartanregister.gov.uk/qRe...ng=firefighter

**truckie561** · 6th June 11, 06:27 PM

Decisions.....decisions. I could definately see how someone could go broke trying to build a collection. Great feedback. It's good to know there are a lot of options out there.