Question for those who only wear tartans in their bloodline

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

Hoary old hide-bound traditionalist that I am, I hold with the idea that one should wear his father's tartan or, failing that, the tartan of one's mother. But I also understand that sometimes one may have to reach back quite a few generations before finding that Scottish link. Personally I think the "Three Generation Rule" is a good one, provided there is a mechanism to allow a Mr. Bianchi, who may trace his ancestry back further than three generations, to be recognized as a member of the clan.

My advice would be to write directly to the chief of the clan to which you have the closest blood connection and ask to be admitted to the clan under a bond of manrent. Historically chiefs have admitted "outsiders" to their clan in this manner, and once agreed, you are a member of his clan, full stop. Just remember though that most clan chiefs have to carry the burden of clan administration by themselves, and so it can take a while for them to respond to correspondence; likewise clan societies tend to be volunteer associations (often managed by the elderly) and this can also cause delay's in correspondence. If you haven't heard back in 90 days a polite "reminder" is not out of order.

[duffy794]

thanks guys. I am a wilson Surname (gunn) but my ancestors are from sweden (possible norse) the only one I can actually trace to is Colquhoun (who said come on).

I guess to be honest I would like a red based tartan and so I have looked at other lines to find one that would fit. Maclean of Argyl is my best connection but it is a ways back. I should probably just say to heck with the association. It is what it is.

thanks for helping me figure it out

[MacMillans son]

thanks guys. I am a wilson Surname (gunn) but my ancestors are from sweden (possible norse) the only one I can actually trace to is Colquhoun (who said come on).

I guess to be honest I would like a red based tartan and so I have looked at other lines to find one that would fit. Maclean of Argyl is my best connection but it is a ways back. I should probably just say to heck with the association. It is what it is.

thanks for helping me figure it out

Sorry duffy, I'm a bit confused. Are you looking to identify which clan you would most naturally be a member of, or are you trying to justify the wearing of a specific color tartan that you like? If it's the latter, there are a number of non-clan tartans that are red based.

[MacGumerait]

thanks guys. I am a wilson Surname (gunn) but my ancestors are from sweden (possible norse) the only one I can actually trace to is Colquhoun (who said come on).

I guess to be honest I would like a red based tartan and so I have looked at other lines to find one that would fit. Maclean of Argyl is my best connection but it is a ways back. I should probably just say to heck with the association. It is what it is.

thanks for helping me figure it out

Duffy , I agree with others , this is a bit confusing . Help us help you . Please follow with me here and I'll try to pose the proper points .

1. You are asking about wearing tartans of other clans in your origanlal post and it seems you have that answer .

2. You are stating that your last name is Wilson or is it Gunn ? It's not quite clear by your statement above . The way it's worded it could be either . I understand the relationhip , just not sure which one .

3. If you have ties to Maclean from 8 generations back , then that can come into question by many Clan Associations as that is a long time in regards to historical info .

4. If you are looking for a red based tartan for a new kilt and you want to stay within your current clan knowledge of Wilson then go with the previous suggestions of the Wilson tartan.

5. If you like the Maclean tartan , there is nothing stopping you from ordering that one either .

6. It all stems from from what you are wanting to do . If you want to be clan specific , you pretty much have your answer , if not ( which that is okay ) , there are many red based tartans that are considered universal .

Hope this helps rather than confuse . I don't claim to be an expert , others here have far more knowledge and expertise than myself .

Best regards , Mike

[frank_a]

What a great thread. Once again, my Wallace ancestry has the answer! The Clan Wallace Society - Worldwide (CWS) represents all Scots of any Clan and all others who wish they were Scots. Not only that, they have a cool red tartan. Check them out here: http://www.clanwallace.org/index-2.html

Good luck!

Frank

[duffy794]

thanks! Sorry I am not very good at expressing myself

It seems to me that there are 3 basic attitudes on the board as to what tartan is acceptable to wear:
1. One man, one clan, one tartan
2. Any tartan which you have ties to
3. Any tartan you want

I fall under the 2nd category because I do not have a strong claim to any one clan. (Surname is Gunn but my Wilson is Swedish)(Colquhoun is the most ancient via the paternal rule, but that is on my mothers side and is several generations removed from Scotland) (other name and blood ties)

I am going to probably do the dna testing to try to ascertain whether Gunn or Colquhoun would be more appropriate, and then get a really nice kilt in that tartan. Both of those societies said I am welcome.

I was looking at the usakilts pv's as a knockaround kilt and wanted a red one to provide a contrast to the blue/green of the Gunn/Colquhoun.
Since I fall in category 2 of above I was examining the pv's that I had a name tie to.
Since I had previously looked at the clan associations of a few of those ie MacLean and they had a 3 generation rule, that I do not fufill, I was trying to ask other people of category 2 if they would wear a tartan if the association (which to me meant clan) would not have them as a member.

I kind of botched my logic.

Sorry and thanks for the help!

[BCAC]

You have to remember, duffy, that a clan association is NOT (and never will be) a clan. Also that a clan association does not always speak for the clan in question. Lastly, that there is no "3 generation rule" for belonging to a clan, and you don't have to have the permission of anybody to be a clan member (you either are or you are not) nor to wear the tartan that has been accepted by the chief as the "clan" tartan.

[Tobus]

I fall under the 2nd category because I do not have a strong claim to any one clan. (Surname is Gunn but my Wilson is Swedish)(Colquhoun is the most ancient via the paternal rule, but that is on my mothers side and is several generations removed from Scotland) (other name and blood ties)

I am going to probably do the dna testing to try to ascertain whether Gunn or Colquhoun would be more appropriate, and then get a really nice kilt in that tartan. Both of those societies said I am welcome.

OK, so if your surname is Gunn, and the Gunn clan association says you're welcome, then I'm afraid I don't understand your dilemma. How is this not a "strong claim to any one clan"?

I mean, if you want to choose to identify with another clan, that's your business, but I'm not sure why Gunn wouldn't be your default. Is it just that you don't like their tartan or something?

[duffy794]

to clarify. Once I figure Gunn or Colquhoun out I will get a nice kilt made from that.

The red was merely for casual occasional wear.

[Grizzly]

I presume you have looked at the Wilson Tartan itself that is red based and is available in Lochcarron Strome or in DC Dalgleish fabric. Both are red based tartans.

Lochcarron Strome


Dalgleish 15oz



Both the above are in modern colours but Ancient varieties are also available.