I enjoy the concept of the clan but I think clans, like nationalism, can sometimes be carried to far. I feel like we are a clan here at Xmarks. In fact I feel more kinship with all of you than I do with most of my extended family.

As far as clan and wearing tartan, I subscribe to the "wear what you like" school of thought but I do think a person should be able to identify the tartan they are wearing. I'm surprised to find that isn't always the case.

I wear "Anderson" because that is my last name and I grew up with small bits of Anderson tartan around the house (ties, plaques, blankets) but my name comes from Sweden not Scotland. I also like the fact that the blue of the Anderson is somewhat unusual. I'm also give to understand that since St. Andrew is the patron St. of Scotland it is a tartan that is open to any Scot. Anderson is not a clan in the traditional sense of the word but more a loose confederation of familys with a common name. On the other hand, I also wear "Gordon" because my Great-Grandmother was of clan Gordon. If it strikes my fancy though, I'm as likely as not to pick up any other tartan that strikes my fancy as long as it doesn't have any negative connotation or ties to a royal personage.

Jamie