Tartans that non-clan/non-scot can wear

[BrianGinQC]

Greeting everyone! I'm new to wearing kilts and I was wondering if there are set rules to wearing specific tartans if you're not a clansman or scot for that matter, save for the Black Watch and Hunting Stewart.

I know enough not to wear the Royal Stewart and the Balmoral.

Thank you very much and cheers!

[McMurdo]

You can always wear the Scottish Wildcat Tartan which I designed, there is a facebook page for it and you can wear the Royal Stewart it is perfectly acceptable, below is from the Scottish Tartan Authority:

Tradition has it that those who have no tartan of their own can wear the Black Watch (The Universal or Government Tartan) or the Hunting Stewart, but not the Royal Stewart without the express authority of the Queen. However, commercialisation in recent times has rather blurred this. The one tartan which cannot be worn by anyone unless the Queen's permission has been granted is the Balmoral.

Below from wikipedia

The Royal Stewart tartan is the best known tartan of the royal House of Stewart, and is also the personal tartan of Queen Elizabeth II. It is appropriate for all subjects of Elizabeth II to wear the Royal Stewart tartan,[1] in much the same way that clansmen may wear the tartan of their clan chief. The sett was first published in 1831 in the book The Scottish Gael by James Logan. Officially, the tartan is worn by the pipers of the Black Watch, Royal Scots Dragoon Guards, and the Scots Guards, as well as a select few civilian groups. The 5th Bolton Scout Group and the 5th Potters Bar Scout Group wear the scarf, (neckerchief/necker) officially, with permission from the Queen, and the Queen's Bands (of Queen's University) wear the tartan as part of their official uniforms. So too do the Winnipeg Police Pipe Band. The tartan may also be worn by members who took part in a patrol leaders training course.

In addition to its use in clothing, such as skirts and scarves, Royal Stewart tartan has also appeared on biscuit tins for Scottish shortbread.[2] In the 1960s the tartan became well known in motor racing circles, as British three-time Formula One World Champion Jackie Stewart from Scotland used a distinctive band of Royal Stewart tartan around his crash helmet.[3] In the late 1970s the Royal Stewart tartan became popular in punk fashion.

[Jock Scot]

There are cases where there are restrictions or exceptions, like the Balmoral, one of the Cameron and one of the Campbell tartans(where the Clan Chief does not accept it even exists!). However, you can wear nearly any tartan you wish. Whether you should or not, is entirely another matter.

[OC Richard]

Below from wikipedia

Officially, the tartan is worn by the pipers of the Black Watch, Royal Scots Dragoon Guards, and the Scots Guards, as well as a select few civilian groups.

Ah, Wikipedia. Ya gotta love it.

Of course now we have had all sorts of contractions and amalgamations in the army, but prior to the creation of The Royal Regiment Of Scotland, Royal Stewart was worn by the pipers of:

The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards
The Scots Guards
The Royal Scots
The Kings Own Scottish Borderers
The Black Watch

and The Queens Own Cameron Highlanders (1943-1961)

And I wonder what Wiki means by "a select few civilian groups". Royal Stewart used to be perhaps the most popular tartans worn by civilian pipe bands the world over.

[McMurdo]

Ah, Wikipedia. Ya gotta love it.

Of course now we have had all sorts of contractions and amalgamations in the army, but prior to the creation of The Royal Regiment Of Scotland, Royal Stewart was worn by the pipers of:

The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards
The Scots Guards
The Royal Scots
The Kings Own Scottish Borderers
The Black Watch

and The Queens Own Cameron Highlanders (1943-1961)

And I wonder what Wiki means by "a select few civilian groups". Royal Stewart used to be perhaps the most popular tartans worn by civilian pipe bands the world over.

Aye, perhaps not the best source. Sorry about that. Of course as subjects of her majesty anyone in the Commonwealth has the right to wear the Royal Stewart.

[DragonCeltic]

Thanks a lot for the answers and the links
All very interesting!

If he does not offend anyone is ok

[Farmhand]

You can always wear the Scottish Wildcat Tartan which I designed, there is a facebook page for it and you can wear the Royal Stewart it is perfectly acceptable, below is from the Scottish Tartan Authority:

Tradition has it that those who have no tartan of their own can wear the Black Watch (The Universal or Government Tartan) or the Hunting Stewart, but not the Royal Stewart without the express authority of the Queen. However, commercialisation in recent times has rather blurred this. The one tartan which cannot be worn by anyone unless the Queen's permission has been granted is the Balmoral.

Below from wikipedia

The Royal Stewart tartan is the best known tartan of the royal House of Stewart, and is also the personal tartan of Queen Elizabeth II. It is appropriate for all subjects of Elizabeth II to wear the Royal Stewart tartan,[1] in much the same way that clansmen may wear the tartan of their clan chief. The sett was first published in 1831 in the book The Scottish Gael by James Logan. Officially, the tartan is worn by the pipers of the Black Watch, Royal Scots Dragoon Guards, and the Scots Guards, as well as a select few civilian groups. The 5th Bolton Scout Group and the 5th Potters Bar Scout Group wear the scarf, (neckerchief/necker) officially, with permission from the Queen, and the Queen's Bands (of Queen's University) wear the tartan as part of their official uniforms. So too do the Winnipeg Police Pipe Band. The tartan may also be worn by members who took part in a patrol leaders training course.

In addition to its use in clothing, such as skirts and scarves, Royal Stewart tartan has also appeared on biscuit tins for Scottish shortbread.[2] In the 1960s the tartan became well known in motor racing circles, as British three-time Formula One World Champion Jackie Stewart from Scotland used a distinctive band of Royal Stewart tartan around his crash helmet.[3] In the late 1970s the Royal Stewart tartan became popular in punk fashion.

WOW!!!
I have never seen that tartan or heard of it before, but I think maybe its my new favorite! I could see myself out stalking deer in that tartan.
Thank you!!

[McMurdo]

WOW!!!
I have never seen that tartan or heard of it before, but I think maybe its my new favorite! I could see myself out stalking deer in that tartan.
Thank you!!

Thank you for this. It really makes me proud that the Scottish Wildcat Tartan which was conceived right here on XMarks has been so well excepted. I love the tartan and am still proud of my involvement. The praise of the community is very touching indeed. Thank you again for your kind words.

[Tarheel]

The two tartan kilts I own, are the US Army tartan and the Confederate Memorial tartan. I was born into the clan Colquhoun and am setting aside the funds to procure a proper 7 yard "heavy" for my own. I have yet to decide which I want (modern, ancient, etc.)

I substituted the term "heavy" for the weight of the cloth. I'm leaning toward 11 oz. instead of 16 oz. As I am overly fond of my box pleated 4 yard, I may change my mind again.

To the point of the OP's question, there are many tartans you may be attracted to that call (more attractive to your tastes) to you. I suggest you do the window shopping and imagine the colors and patterns as your kilt.

[Dughlas mor]

Here`s a link to the District and Universal section of the tartan gallery at USAKilts. There are many to choose from. https://www.usakilts.com/gallery/13-...ancient/refine