Tartan-wearing conventions among Scots

[Urchurdan]

I wear the Urquhart Ancient Tartan when I am at an event that demands I show Clan Allegiance, I also Have a kilt in the Scottish Heritage tartan, because I love the new purple based tartans.
I also have a Lion Rampant kilt, pleated to the stripe at the back, I love wearing that one too. I wear it to display I am a Scottish Monarchist, probably what would be termed a Jacobite in the old days.
I have had adverse comments from 'purists' here in my native Scotland, who view anything that is not based on a pure tartan is a skirt. Its all down to point of view I think, its definitely a generational thing I believe
I have had an elderly gentleman ask me if I didn't know I shouldn't wear a tartan tie with a kilt, the rule being no tartan above the waist with a kilt.
Another thing I love to do, is wear black hose with the Purple kilt, as I think they look great with it - however, that got another purist on my back at Braemar games, when I was asked if I knew that black hose should only be worn at funerals.
Ah well, I always thought I was a bit of a purist when it came to kilt wearing, but believe me, there are people out there who are so straight laced about these things its scarey....

[The Guy in the Kilt at UC]

that got another purist on my back at Braemar games, when I was asked if I knew that black hose should only be worn at funerals.

Just tell him there's still time left in the day and glare back at him.

[Phil]

I have had an elderly gentleman ask me if I didn't know I shouldn't wear a tartan tie with a kilt, the rule being no tartan above the waist with a kilt.

I've heard that one too. I suppose that's my waistcoat "oot the windae" then -



but at least I'm not wearing a tartan tie so that will be OK.

Another thing I love to do, is wear black hose with the Purple kilt, as I think they look great with it - however, that got another purist on my back at Braemar games, when I was asked if I knew that black hose should only be worn at funerals.

I wonder if you were wearing trainers with a business suit(that's if you wear one of course) whether these people would feel it appropriate to mention them. Do you think there is something about putting on a kilt that opens you up to critical comments like that?

[Urchurdan]

I've heard that one too. I suppose that's my waistcoat "oot the windae" then -



but at least I'm not wearing a tartan tie so that will be OK.



I wonder if you were wearing trainers with a business suit(that's if you wear one of course) whether these people would feel it appropriate to mention them. Do you think there is something about putting on a kilt that opens you up to critical comments like that?

Thats one braw weskitt Phil...Smashing, I don't wear business suits, and I do wear the kilt to funerals, and I have to admit I do wear black hose to funerals, but not exclusively to them, I wear what looks right with the other accessories I am wearing. Convention is fine, and has its place - but you have to enjoy wearing the kilt, or why bother otherwise, we could all put on breeks and join the horde of lookalikes.

[JRB]

...I have had an elderly gentleman ask me if I didn't know I shouldn't wear a tartan tie with a kilt, the rule being no tartan above the waist with a kilt...

Ha, ha, ha...obviously that gentleman never saw paintings of 18th and 19th century highland Scots with their multitude of tartans from head to toe.

[Dall_Piobaire]

Ha, ha, ha...obviously that gentleman never saw paintings of 18th and 19th century highland Scots with their multitude of tartans from head to toe.

Darn it JRB, you beat me to it! I was just about to point that out! It seems all manner of Tartan was worn mix and match!

Of course, all this falderall is do to Wilson's regitster, or what ever it was called, and those two Russian lads, Whos' names escapes me. I am sure that it must have been the taste of the regional weaver that decided what tartan was available to who and when. Then, that would probably lead to district tartans. For the most part, unless I am mistaken, there were no consistent tartan affilations even at Culloden, as they used the plant badge to identify who was who. I believe I am not mistaken that even at the time of this grat marketing scheme, many clan cheifs didn't know they had a particular tartan or, what it might have been. Still and all, it has become a tradition, all be it only a couple hundred years, so I try to honor it!

[BobsYourUncle]

Fun thread! Thanks, all...

[longhuntr74]

Fun thread! Thanks, all...

Agreed...fun thread. I read a very enlightening piece from a well-known Tartan Scholar (I think it was Matt Newsome) on the origins of tartans and the "falsity" (my word, not his) of the notion that all of these tartans are deeply rooted in family and clan connections...in fact they were imposed by the Monarchy in the 1800s and then commercialized by the tartan weavers...post Culloden. I wish I could remember what site it was on now. Anyways...agreed on the interest in conducting more geneaological research on the family roots...but in the meantime, I'm not going to feel guilty about wearing a tartan that I like either.

[MacKay71]

I wish I could remember what site it was on now.

Ablanach.org

[macwilkin]

Agreed...fun thread. I read a very enlightening piece from a well-known Tartan Scholar (I think it was Matt Newsome) on the origins of tartans and the "falsity" (my word, not his) of the notion that all of these tartans are deeply rooted in family and clan connections...in fact they were imposed by the Monarchy in the 1800s and then commercialized by the tartan weavers...post Culloden. I wish I could remember what site it was on now. Anyways...agreed on the interest in conducting more geneaological research on the family roots...but in the meantime, I'm not going to feel guilty about wearing a tartan that I like either.

I don't know if I would use the word "imposed"...the State visit of George IV to Edinburgh certainly helped fuel the tartan mania, but there were other factors, such as the weaving firms like Wilson's of Bannockburn, that helped create it as well, and before 1822 when George wore his pink tights under the kilt. :mrgreen:

Regards,

Todd