Quote Originally Posted by David Thorpe View Post
... or if respect is simply of no consequence to you...
Ooooohhh!

David... Mate... Thanks for being so straight to the point.

I wear a number of different tartans from a number of different clans, some of which I have connection to and some I have no connection to at all. I also wear some district tartans as well as universals (some of which are also clan tartans by the way).

I have a good understanding of all of the tartans I wear and if called upon, I can give a clear account of not just the tartan but also the clan and it's history.

I can also explain the history and origins of tartan in general and why certain clans wear the tartans they do. I can literally "bore" for Britain on matters tartan. Most people who have pursued this avenue of question with me have usually glazed over after quarter of an hour, then made their excuses and moved away. I have spent a great deal of time studying it and it shows.

I never mix tartans and I always dress appropriate to the occasion. I have invested not inconsiderable expense in ensuring that I can turn out properly attired to all levels of function with the exception of white tie (although my chances of being invited to one of those or even accepting the invitation are slim to never). I may dress casually most of the time but that's 'cause I'm a casual kind of chap. But even when doing so, I never sport the Kilt in a sloppy manner.

Were I to venture into the Scottish Highlands where tradition is considerably stronger than it is in my neck of the Englandshire woods. And were I brave enough to even put a Kilt on up there, I would only wear the tartan to which my Family has a direct connection, for exactly the reasons stated in David's post above.

As I see it, I wear all my Kilts respectfully. I believe anyone can wear any tartan they choose, provided they also treat the tartan AND the Kilt with respect. If in the pursuit of this line, the choice that individual makes is to only wear one tartan or a selection of tartans from one clan, then that's absolutely fine. If like me, they choose a tartan they like or an assortment of tartans, that too is fine (with me at least, I'm not one to judge a persons moral standing by the clothes they choose to wear, or NOT wear).

Of course my approach could be construed as not respectful at all. Again we are free to think what we will. You pays your money, you makes your choice. I will probably burn in the fires of Hell for this ethos but I'll take my chances for now. I'm not breaking any laws, not where I live anyway.

By the way... there has been lots of discussion on this topic here previously. Use the search feature to pull out some older threads if you fancy an interesting wander through the XMarks archive and see what others have said on the matter...