Wearing kilts of other tartans than your clans.

[macwilkin]

The one thing that you're missing in this statement is that, while this is a tradition, it is a recent one. If you want to go with older traditions, the tradition is in fact to wear the one that you like best. You have to remember the whole point of tartan in the first place- it was used as camoflage- not fashion. I have a MacKenzie weathered because it makes great camoflage in the Rockies. One tradition doesn't trump another.

Actually, clan tartans were used as fashion first. Remember that the concept of clan tartans originated from weaving firms such as Wm. Wilson's of Bannockburn as a way to sell more tartans, and were adopted over time as symbols of clans, districts, etc.

Also, the idea of camoflage is a recent one -- in 18th century warfare, you didn't hide behind foliage, you stuck out as a form of psychological warfare. While the Government Sett appears to be a form of camoflage, look at the uniform it was worn with -- the famous red coat of the British Army. Or better yet, look at this famous painting of a Jacobite "Highland charge" at Culloden:

http://www.marariley.net/celtic/images/culloden.jpg

Not much camo there.

While it is true that the first tartans were "district" tartans in the sense that one wore whatever was produced in your area, the camoflage analogy doesn't really "fly" to me.

Regards,

Todd