Wearing Black Watch kilt in Scotland (?)

[Chef]

OK, I will be the odd man out on this one. I know people do it but I must admit I don't like the idea of wearing a BW kilt if you didn't serve with them and I know many who would agree. It is the same to me as wearing a school, university, regimental, or organizational tie when you have no connection. Now I know that the BW is overused in Scotland and I don't have a problem with a pair of trousers or a jacket (something that is not a military issue item) but I wouldn't wear a BW kilt. The very same as I wouldn't wear an insignia from a part of the service I didn't serve in.

I bought an Other Ranks BW sporran for very fancy occaisions, but I removed the BW sporrran badge and replaced it with a Masonic one because I did not feel comfortable.

You can obviously wear what you want and I mean no offence, but I believe there is something to be said for symbols you earn the right to wear rather than purchase.

PS. Yes I am ex-military.

[Monkey@Arms]

OK, I will be the odd man out on this one. I know people do it but I must admit I don't like the idea of wearing a BW kilt if you didn't serve with them and I know many who would agree. It is the same to me as wearing a school, university, regimental, or organizational tie when you have no connection. Now I know that the BW is overused in Scotland and I don't have a problem with a pair of trousers or a jacket (something that is not a military issue item) but I wouldn't wear a BW kilt. The very same as I wouldn't wear an insignia from a part of the service I didn't serve in.

I bought an Other Ranks BW sporran for very fancy occaisions, but I removed the BW sporrran badge and replaced it with a Masonic one because I did not feel comfortable.

You can obviously wear what you want and I mean no offence, but I believe there is something to be said for symbols you earn the right to wear rather than purchase.

PS. Yes I am ex-military.

Hmm, your entitled to your opinion, but tell me, how do you know if the tartan in question is Black Watch, Campbell, Hunting Grant, Hunting Munro, or the Sutherland District tartan. :confused: They are all the same.

Best regards,

Jake

[Chef]

Hmm, your entitled to your opinion, but tell me, how do you know if the tartan in question is Black Watch, Campbell, Hunting Grant, Hunting Munro, or the Sutherland District tartan. :confused: They are all the same.

Best regards,

Jake

I only know for which he claims it to be.

[bobomacintosh]

The view in Scotland seems to be that its the government tartan and as such can be worn by any UK subject. I'm sure that also covers citizens of Her Majesty's former colonies.

In the circumstances you'd expect the Scottish Nationalist Party to object to it and I would advise against wearing it to an SNP rally. Otherwise I'd think you would be fine.

[macwilkin]

The view in Scotland seems to be that its the government tartan and as such can be worn by any UK subject. I'm sure that also covers citizens of Her Majesty's former colonies.

In the circumstances you'd expect the Scottish Nationalist Party to object to it and I would advise against wearing it to an SNP rally. Otherwise I'd think you would be fine.

Have to point out something here: Yes, the Black Watch is also known as the "Government Sett", in reference to it being a military tartan. It was also known in the military as a "universal" tartan, as at one time, it was worn by a number of Scottish Regiments, and not just the Black Watch. For years the government tried and failed to adopt a single military tartan (for economy's sake, of course) that all Scottish regiments could wear -- until the creation of the Royal Regiment of Scotland in 2006.

The term "universal" appears to have caused the confusion that the Government Sett is somehow "universal" in regards to everyone wearing it.

And in regards to the SNP: they [the SNP] recently endorsed and supported the Save the Scottish Regiments campaign to prevent the amalgamation of the six Scottish Regiments, so they can't object too much to the Government Sett! :mrgreen:

Regards,

Todd

[bobomacintosh]

Sure. I was pointing out what the commonly held view is (which is what matters in this context) no trying to state the absolute truth.

Good point about SNP.

[Chef]

OK, so I feel that maybe I need to explain why I sound like the jacka** protector of protocol that no one else gives a damn about. It likely stems from at least two areas. First, I am a Stewart and can trace my ancestory several hundred years. On my wall hangs the Coat of Arms of my great-great-great grandfather. Growing up I proudly wore red Stewart tartan kilts. However now I wouldn't be caught dead in one and neither would most of my family. Why, well so many of Stewart kilts I see today are worn people who just like the tartan and have no connection. Also seeing red Stewart everywhere from now till Christmas just makes me sick. I have not worn a red Stewart kilt in over 15 years. Now like most modern Scots I trace my ancestory through more than one family and so I proudly wear my Stewart of Appin kilts. I do own a black Stewart kilt that I am very fond of for formal wear.

Second I was in the Army, and as most know in the service your resume is worn on your uniform. It is immoral, not to mention illegal to wear anything you are not entitled to. Also I earned the right to wear a black beret during my service. Don't get me wrong I hold every man or woman who serves with the highest regard, but no matter how many Ranger brass the Army shuffles out say how much they support the the issue of the black beret to all we know it was a PR move to help recruiting.

So yes I am a stickler, but I hope you will understand why.

[Foxgun Tom]

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[McClef]

Having just returned from a long weekend in Edinburgh, the problem is not the Black Watch or any other tartan for that matter, it's their rarity !

I lost count of the number of times I was requested to post for pictures with tourists who had been scouring Edinburgh in vain for somebody in a kilt!