I have a link to the Clan Mackenzie through my mother and her family. I was always closer to the MacKenzie side of the family and wear their tartan with great pride. I am a member of the Clan MacKenzie Society of Canada. I don't have to do anything for the clan, and my membership fees only include a newsletter. My $20/year membership fee goes to a charitable organization (Clan Mackenzie Society of the Americas) which has been set up with all monies raised going to repairing the ancient family home Castle Leod.

As for legitimate lineage claims for a tartan....I wear both my mother's and my father's tartans. If someone wants to say I am less of a MacKenzie than my cousin that kept the name, I dare you to say it to my face. I know where the majority of my character, faults, and temperment came from. Wear your mother's and your father's tartans proudly. My clan society had not issue with it, so why should others?

For me I need to feel a connection to a tartan. I am Canadian, so I will wear the Maple Leaf tartan as well as the Manitoba and the BC tartans. MacKenzie, Wood, Watson, Buchanan, MacKay, Stewart, and a few others are family names, so I will wear them. I know a few great friends with links to the MacDonalds, so I would wear that tartan for them, etc, etc, etc. PFor me, a connection is good enough for me. I won't wear a tartan just because it looks nice, but that is just me.