Is this offensive or allowable?

[Spuggs]

The woman that was more of a Grandmother to me than my biological one passed away last year. She was a Stuart. My GF is a Fraser. Out of consideration for heritage, I won't wear a Fraser tartan. Ive got a Black Watch.

However, is it allowable to wear a Stuart out of respect for such a sublime non biological Grandmother?

As well, Is the Morgan considered universal? I purchased one for a stupid great price. You don't wear one pair of shoes right? Nonetheless, I refuse to wear anything which can be considered offensive.

Thanks folks in advance

[Grizzly]

Spuggs

Hi and welcome from Southampton in the UK.

With one or two exceptions you can wear whatever tartan you wish. It seems like you already have a damn good reason for wearing the Stuart tartan and as a mark of respect to your pseudo grandmother it is an excellent way of honouring her memory.

With regard to the Morgan Tartan, you dont say if you mean the Scottish or Welsh Morgans. Lochcarron state that the Scottish Morgans are related to the Mckays. Welsh tartans are a relatively modern invention either way they would be clan specific, but as I said earlier you can wear what you want but it is much nicer and more respectful to have a reason for doing so.

[tulloch]

First of all welcome from the highlands of Central Massachusetts. It would be fine to wear Stuart - and you'd have a bunch to choose from. Lots of variety there. You could find out more about her and narrow it down to what might be most appropriate. As to Fraser - why not? There is a military Fraser - 78th Fraser Highlanders. Black watch is fine too. Its more what you like that counts.

[piperdbh]

Wear what you want. It's your money you're spending and your self you're covering.

[McClef]

A Stewart/Stuart is considered to be a universal tartan, requiring no permission from any body, either chief or clan society. I have a Royal and also a Black Stewart kilt.

As to Morgan - the Welsh one has little history and is a lovely tartan. I doubt that our Derek (or any other Morgan) would object to you wearing it.

[Angstrom]

I'll just throw in this quote from an article by Matthew Newsome, one of our resident kilt experts:

"The final advice I will give to those wondering which tartan to wear is this – when you wear the tartan, people will inevitably ask you about it. They will want to know which tartan it is, and how it relates to you. Be prepared with an answer. Maybe it is the tartan of your surname. Maybe it is the tartan of the town of your birth, or the region of Scotland your ancestors were from. I have known people to wear a tartan in honor of a departed friend.

Know the significance of your tartan and have a reason for wearing it. If that reason is good enough for you, then it should be good enough for anyone else who asks. Wear it proudly!"

http://www.albanach.org/articles.html

[Thomas H]

I would wear any Tartan I had , Wear what ever you want to wear .
Have fun with it , I do . If some one gave me a Kilt or I bought one for a great price .
then wear it . if any one ask you , just tell them , I wear it because I like it .

[Spuggs]

Cheers from Canada folks. I really appreciate everything you all have said. Went with the Black Watch also because Canada had at least 3 battalions I know of: 13th, 42nd and 73rd.

Mrs. Stuart was one amazing woman. Never knew that a once stranger could become such an important influence in my life. Love and miss her.

I'd do more research on her history however there's nobody really left to ask other than net searches. Her husband was military at one time. I'd wear her Tartan proudly. All the Stuarts tartan's I've seen are gorgeous.

Didn't want to wear the Fraser as I'm not one and found it could be offensive to those that have ties to the Clan. Just being respectful. Heritage is a big deal to me. So, consider it to matter to others as well.

Grizzly, the Morgan is also the ancient MacKay. Blue, dark blue and red.

Damn, these things are insanely comfortable. And addictive.

Thanks again folks. This really has been an issue with me. Not wanting to step one toes. I felt as if wearing an inappropriate Tartan would be as bad as burning a flag. You just don't do some things.

[freddie]

There's an old joke about a tourist getting off a bus at a Scottish castle and the Laird asking him "what gives you the right to wear my tartan?" And the tourist replying "The right of twelve shillings and sixpence a yard M'lord!". I certainly don't hold with the idea of someone only 'having the right' to wear one tartan, and then only if their father's name is a clan one, but I would only wear a tartan that has a family connexion. It's really down to personal choice I suppose.

[Spuggs]

Freddie, very good points. I'm glad I posted. Everyone's input has been great. As much as I love so many tartans, I feel pretty strongly about honoring tradition. That's not to say I'm against wearing other Tartans of course. But, it's a matter of pride. Next kilt will likely be the Maple Leaf. Gorgeous.