Is this offensive or allowable?

**Spuggs** · 16th October 12, 01:23 PM

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** · 16th October 12, 02:49 PM

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** · 16th October 12, 03:49 PM

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.

**Spuggs** · 16th October 12, 09:41 PM

Just wanted to say thanks to everyone on the forum here for being so kind and welcoming. What a community. Feel pretty damn proud to be a member here. You all rock.

**Derek** · 16th October 12, 10:21 PM

As Trefor says .. you want get any objections from our set of Morgans

Iechyd Da

Derek

**Spuggs** · 17th October 12, 07:23 AM

Trefor, Derek, thanks. I will wear the Morgan with much pride. Just knowing its ok with you makes me feel a lot better. Had it on last night. Considering its pretty cool in Canada already, kilts are so comfortable and warm. May have to reconsider going commando in -40. Blue face is one thing, blue bits is another

**crboltz** · 18th October 12, 07:07 AM

I have long admired the beauty of the Loud Macleod tartan. One of my students is from the Macleod clan, and his parents maintain their presence at the highland games up and down california. After saying several times how much I love the tartan I was asked why I don't have a kilt in that tartan (I tend to wear universal tartans / or regional tartans to which I might have a connection). I was instructed (possibly ordered) to go get a Loud Macleod by the family. I was given the following reasons:
1) Anyone who will wear Loud Macleod is welcome
2) "We got around, you probably have a bit of Macleod blood in your veins anyway"

I also had a few folks ask if I really knew which of the Macleod tartans was the "Loud" one (one kilt vender referred to it as the "Damn Bumble Bee Tartan, and you don't really want that"). I knew what it was, I know what I want, and I love it. So, long story short, I'm expecting my Macleod in a few weeks from USA kilts. So I understand the desire to have a connection to a tartan, but I have also found that many clans are thrilled that someone wants to wear "their" tartan. Of course, your milage may vary.

Cheers
Chris

**Spuggs** · 18th October 12, 10:13 AM

Chris, that was really nice of the McLeod's. The loud McLeod is one beautiful and noticeable Tartan. Please post pix once it arrives. Nice.

Can't state how impressed I am with people here on this forum.

I'll be posting some myself soon. Hopefully anyway. Still waiting for sporrans to arrive.

Cheers
Joey

**Alan H** · 24th October 12, 11:09 AM

mate, seriously....if you refuse to wear anything that will offend someone, ever... you might as well go naked.

If you really, truly are concerned with not offending anyone, then there are about a bazillion non-clan tartans out there. Odds are fair to middlin that your State has a State tartan. I happen to dearly love the Holyrood tartan and that's not a clan tartan. My nicest kilt is in the Capercaillie, modern tartan and that's not a clan tartan, though it's "Scottish". How about the "Scottish National" tartan? The "Flower of Scotland" tartan? The list goes on and on and on.

**McClef** · 24th October 12, 11:31 AM

This idea that there is an authority who can grant or not grant the right to wear a clan tartan really does need knocking on the head.

A Chief can authorise which tartan may bear the name of his clan or indeed reject one. That is the limit of his authority.

A Clan society does not have that authority, it only has the authority to permit tartans that include its own name.

Anything else comes down to notions of etiquette or some idea of correctness which will vary from individual to individual and nobody has the power to force an opposite point of view upon another.

That won't stop some folk trying though.