Quote Originally Posted by figheadair View Post
The answer is simple. Historically i.e. pre-1800ish there were no such thing as a clan tartan.
Beat me to it! Exactly what I was going to say... traditionally NO clan had a "clan tartan"! The entire concept of the fabric's pattern having group significance is relatively modern. When the concept emerged old nameless tartans found themselves suddenly bearing clan names, and new pseudo-traditional tartans were created to fill the perceived need, and many found themselves (whatever their true origin) being given the stamp of approval by the Chiefs.