Maybe there are not rules, but there are conventions: and the convention hallowed by a good two hundred years, and more if one thinks about local weaves: in that a tartan is worn honestly because an individual likes the pattern/colours, and makes no other claim.

Or because they have a direct claim to that particular tartan, through a clear lineage-in other words they are not false flagging, pretending to be something they are not. So the nebulous claim through say the wife's family, is no claim: nor that it belonged to some distant aunt, that too is no claim, I could go on.

A point here is that the clan tartans evolved over several hundred years into the identifier of a particular highland clan, [I'm ignoring septs etc at this time], and as such they are worn with pride by those so entitled.

It has however long been accepted that dancers and the like may breach convention for reasons of cost availability. However that is no precedent when set against the convention.

So when people say there are no rules they are in one sense correct: but in another sense they are only showing their abysmal igorance. Too I'd remind people that they should not confuse good manners with acceptance.

So either wear the tartan to which you have a genuine entitlement, or because you like the pretty colours-but be honest about it.

If in doubt there are plenty of district and other tartans such as The Highland Granite to choose from.

I'm sorry if the above appears harsh, but on occasion there is some very questionable information offered on this board.

James