Why so many tartans per clan name?

**mcclainms72** · 17th July 09, 10:13 PM

I understand why there's modern and ancient versions, and I guess I see why there's dress and hunting, but where do all of the others come from, and do they each have a purpose? Maclean of Duart also has muted, burgundy, weathered, etc.- 7 setts and countless colourways.

Are some only appropriate for certain settings or certain members of the family? Some of them sound like they're only pupose is variety, but
I'd like to know if they ALL are. I'm sure that the rules aren't rigid, but I'd hate to wear one because it looks good and then find out it's only for outdoors, wives, family septs, or something.

Anyone know?

**Tattoo Bradley** · 17th July 09, 10:43 PM

You've asked a question that gets asked often, and for good reason! It can all be certainly be confusing.

Matt wrote a fantastic article on this, so I'll let his article explain far better than I ever could.

And just a side note. I wear a weathered version of my family tartan (Henderson) in any and all settings as I see fit. It's all in the difference in shoes, sporran, jacket etc.

**Tony Miles** · 18th July 09, 12:02 AM

it's a good way for weavers and kilt makers to expand their market and sales potential

**Highlander31** · 18th July 09, 01:18 AM

Originally Posted by Tony Miles

it's a good way for weavers and kilt makers to expand their market and sales potential

This is the case with my clan's tartan (MacGregor.) There are ten tartans listed as being MacGregor. Our chief recognizes only four as clan tartans.

Welcome to the forum.

**Wolfhawk** · 18th July 09, 01:53 AM

from the West-o-Plex
(west of Fort Worth Texas)
slainte

**McClef** · 18th July 09, 03:32 AM

from South Wales UK!

**Chas** · 18th July 09, 03:36 AM

Hi mcclainms,

Welcome to XMarks from the other side of the Atlantic in Norfolk, England.

Regards

Chas

**M. A. C. Newsome** · 18th July 09, 03:38 AM

Brad has already linked to my article, which goes into greater detail than I can here. But just as a quick note, remember that it is perfectly permissible to weave a tartan in different hues or shades. It does not change the tartan itself. So terms like modern, ancient, weathered, muted, reproduction and the like all describe the same tartan woven in different hues.

On the other hand, terms like dress or hunting refer to different tartans entirely; as do other descriptors, such as the use of geographic locations. Stewart of Appin and Stewart of Fingask are tartans for different branches of the clan Stewart.

Of course there are exceptions to all this. For example, MacLean of Duart is not for a particular branch of the MacLeans, but for the whole clan, whose seat is at Duart.

You may also like to read my article on tartan colors.
http://www.albanach.org/colors.html

**JSFMACLJR** · 18th July 09, 05:05 AM

Originally Posted by mcclainms72

I understand why there's modern and ancient versions, and I guess I see why there's dress and hunting, but where do all of the others come from, and do they each have a purpose? Maclean of Duart also has muted, burgundy, weathered, etc.- 7 setts and countless colourways.

Are some only appropriate for certain settings or certain members of the family? Some of them sound like they're only pupose is variety, but
I'd like to know if they ALL are. I'm sure that the rules aren't rigid, but I'd hate to wear one because it looks good and then find out it's only for outdoors, wives, family septs, or something.

Anyone know?

Are you a MacLean of Duart or a Maclaine of Lochbuie? The latter wear a different tartan altogether.