Why so many tartans per clan name?

[mcclainms72]

I understand why there's modern and ancient versions, and I guess I see why there's dress and hunting, but where do all of the others come from, and do they each have a purpose? Maclean of Duart also has muted, burgundy, weathered, etc.- 7 setts and countless colourways.

Are some only appropriate for certain settings or certain members of the family? Some of them sound like they're only pupose is variety, but
I'd like to know if they ALL are. I'm sure that the rules aren't rigid, but I'd hate to wear one because it looks good and then find out it's only for outdoors, wives, family septs, or something.

Anyone know?

[Tattoo Bradley]

You've asked a question that gets asked often, and for good reason! It can all be certainly be confusing.

Matt wrote a fantastic article on this, so I'll let his article explain far better than I ever could.

And just a side note. I wear a weathered version of my family tartan (Henderson) in any and all settings as I see fit. It's all in the difference in shoes, sporran, jacket etc.

[mcclainms72]

You've asked a question that gets asked often, and for good reason! It can all be certainly be confusing.

Matt wrote a fantastic article on this, so I'll let his article explain far better than I ever could.

And just a side note. I wear a weathered version of my family tartan (Henderson) in any and all settings as I see fit. It's all in the difference in shoes, sporran, jacket etc.

Good article. Thanks, that helps.

[Tony Miles]

it's a good way for weavers and kilt makers to expand their market and sales potential

[Highlander31]

it's a good way for weavers and kilt makers to expand their market and sales potential

This is the case with my clan's tartan (MacGregor.) There are ten tartans listed as being MacGregor. Our chief recognizes only four as clan tartans.

Welcome to the forum.

[Draelore]

This is the case with my clan's tartan (MacGregor.) There are ten tartans listed as being MacGregor. Our chief recognizes only four as clan tartans.

Welcome to the forum.

The Campbell has 6 tartans, but only 4 are recognized by the Duke of Argyle (Ancient and Weathered versions do not count as separate tartans)

[ronstew]

There are ten tartans listed as being MacGregor. Our chief recognizes only four as clan tartans.

The Campbell has 6 tartans, but only 4 are recognized by the Duke of Argyle (Ancient and Weathered versions do not count as separate tartans)

Campbells and MacGregors are lucky. By looking at different tartan sites, I have tabulated 90 Stewart and Stuart tartan names, counting modern weathered and ancient as three different tartans. I am sure that many on my list are the same tartan with different names. I have found Stewart of Fingask, Stewart of Fingask #1 and Stewart of Fingask #2, which may be one, two or three tartans, but I counted them as three. Also, there are numerous tartans called Stewart Variant that I counted as one.

Many on this long list are plainly fashion tartans; but where do you draw the line between "fashion" and "official" tartan? I'd argue that Black Stewart is a fashion tartan, but since I hope to have an inheritance, I won't make that argument with my father, who wears Black Stewart.

I don't know enough of my family history to know if I qualify for Stewart of Appin, Ardshiel, Atholl, Bute, Erracht, Fingask, Galloway, Killiecranky, Rothesay, Urrard, or none of the above.

As far as I can tell, the head Stuart is Queen Elizabeth. And as far as I an tell, she has never stated which, if any, is the official Stewart tartan. She, herself, wears Royal Stewart, of course.

Now, is the choice of ninety tartans a blessing or a curse?

Finally, any family name with more tartans than Stewart has??

[Wolfhawk]

from the West-o-Plex
(west of Fort Worth Texas)
slainte

[McClef]

from South Wales UK!

[Chas]

Hi mcclainms,

Welcome to XMarks from the other side of the Atlantic in Norfolk, England.

Regards

Chas