Another question about clans--adopted children

[TheOfficialBren]

I have a cousin who is adopted. He is as much a part of our family as any of the rest of us.

Would it be considered inappropriate for him to wear our tartan?
Would he be as "entitled" (whatever that means--waves hand in a passé manner) to wear the colours that represent his adopted family that reared him from very young childhood?

I understand that "clan" means "family," often a group unconnected by blood but rather by geography and symbiosis.

I don't mean to start a thread with any controversy. I know that this could be a very emotional thread. Let's keep it cool.

Thank you.

[cessna152towser]

From a Scottish perspective, many servants historically took the surname of the laird whom they served, so I would see no objection to anyone wearing the tartan of the family who adopted them.

[Jock Scot]

Not quite the same situation, but nearly. When I re-married I "inherited " step children, when they were old enough to choose they were offered the choice of wearing "my" tartan, or the tartan of their late father's. They made their choice and that is fully respected by all. In your position , why not ask your cousin and then respect his decision? It is no other's business other than your family's.

[TheOfficialBren]

That is a very good point, Alex. It's quite historically sound.

Jock, that just makes sense! Thank you for sharing the personal annecdote. I will ask him if the subject comes up.

Thanks, chaps.

[Laird_M]

My eldest is from my wife's first marriage and he has fully embraced his adopted heritage.

As JS and Cessna point out, its quite acceptable.

Historically bondsmen and vassals and those 'fostered' by another Clan often wore a tartan of the Clan they joined. And as Chas so succintly points out, it shouldn't ever be made an issue. Shehan is a member of our Clan, so will wear MacLeod tartan with pride.

Originally, the Scottish Tartan was a distinction of rank or position. It was not identified by weave but by the number of colours in the weave. If only one colour was used it depicted a servant, two, a farmer rank, three, an officer rank, five, a chieftain, six for a poet, and seven for a Chief. Eventually, clans or families adopted their own tartan, using a range of animal and earth colours which were frequently secret, only known to the weavers of the islands. They included yellows, blues, whites, greens, browns, reds, black and purple. Some say that a keen eye can identify the colour with a particular island, almost like a wine taster can identify the year and the vineyard. Obviously this restriction is not followed these days, and most tartans are just 'ancient', 'hunting' etc., so there is no reason why he can't wear his adopted clan's tartan.

[Paul Henry]

snip....
Originally, the Scottish Tartan was a distinction of rank or position. It was not identified by weave but by the number of colours in the weave. If only one colour was used it depicted a servant, two, a farmer rank, three, an officer rank, five, a chieftain, six for a poet, and seven for a Chief. Eventually, clans or families adopted their own tartan, using a range of animal and earth colours which were frequently secret, only known to the weavers of the islands. They included yellows, blues, whites, greens, browns, reds, black and purple. Some say that a keen eye can identify the colour with a particular island, almost like a wine taster can identify the year and the vineyard. Obviously this restriction is not followed these days, and most tartans are just 'ancient', 'hunting' etc., so there is no reason why he can't wear his adopted clan's tartan.

Where on earth do you get this idea from,it's complete nonsense, whilst there are instances of finer cloth being used for wealthier people or perhaps an unusual colour for a special person, the idea that you can classify tartans or wearer of tartan in this way is just another one of the many romanticisms and are simply without credibility and shouldn't be broadcast as fact

[creagdhubh]

From a Scottish perspective, many servants historically took the surname of the laird whom they served, so I would see no objection to anyone wearing the tartan of the family who adopted them.

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[Wil]

This is a very intresting topic. Is the childerens name a Sept of your cousins? I tend to agree with the servant concept of taking on the name.
My 2 younger boys are from my wifes first marriage but the kids last name is a sept of my familys (McFarland) so they are used to the tartan already.

[freddie]

It's a persons name that dictates the tartan they are 'entitled' to wear, so if the adopted person has that family name then that's the one they should wear. That's the 'official' view on the matter. However, I like many others on this forum find this view too rigid. I was adopted and wear tartans pertaining to both my adopted family and that of my birth Father. However I don't wear his tartan if I attend a function with my adopted family. Although I loved my adopted parents and will always regard them as my only 'Mum and Dad' I am still extremely proud of my bloodline. When I first visited the ruins of the old family castle in Scotland I was overcome with emotion. I don't know where the feelings came from but whoever said that blood was thicker than water was certainly right.

[guardsman]

If I had a cousin who was adopted , I think I would be a bit upset if he didn't wear the families clan tartan , after all clan is family is it not ? My father has step children and step grandchildren all the same as his own, each and all the same .