Tartan-wearing conventions among Scots

[Jock Scot]

This thread is educational. I have read in other threads that one should choose a district tartan before going with remote relatives, but it has become evident that nearly all Scots do quite the reverse, and regards district tartans as the tartans of last resort. Also, it seems that some Scots are not above simply wearing a tartan they like and can get for the right price, whereas the 'kilt police' would tell you that only Americans do that. I think the message is that Scots show common sense. Not a Scot or an American here, so no axe to grind.

I think,with respect, you mis-understand how the Scots View(or not) district tartans. The fact is, that most of us don't even know they exist, so they don't come into our thoughts at all. They can't be a last resort as we,on the whole, don't know about them!

Yes indeed there are Scots that do wear many tartans, I would venture to suggest that they are not the norm though, but it is a free world after all and we are lucky to have the choice of how, where and why we wear the kilt.

Are you saying that the Scots should change their national dress to fit in with the rest of the world's version of what they see as how we Scots should dress? I hope not.That would be impertinence and arrogance,beyond belief! Maybe I am misreading things when you say that the "Scots show common sense"?

[Phil]

I would never have thought of a district tartan but would have chosen one from an associated clan as being a "proper" tartan not one of those modern made up ones. That is just a personal opinion, of course, but I think pretty general over here. If I have to be honest I don't think most Scots really know one tartan from another (apart from the one they are wearing possibly). Whenever I am kilted I quite often get asked what tartan I am wearing and, no, never THE QUESTION. It just does not happen here, not to me anyway.

[Jock Scot]

I would never have thought of a district tartan but would have chosen one from an associated clan as being a "proper" tartan not one of those modern made up ones. That is just a personal opinion, of course, but I think pretty general over here. If I have to be honest I don't think most Scots really know one tartan from another (apart from the one they are wearing possibly). Whenever I am kilted I quite often get asked what tartan I am wearing and, no, never THE QUESTION. It just does not happen here, not to me anyway.

The Question? Never been asked in nearly 70 years of kilt wearing.

[Phil]

The Question? Never been asked in nearly 70 years of kilt wearing.

Do you think it is something about us, Jock? Or are people here just more polite? I like to think it is the latter.

[Jock Scot]

Do you think it is something about us, Jock? Or are people here just more polite? I like to think it is the latter.

The latter I hope, although most Scots think they know the answer,so they do not need to ask the question, I suppose.

[BEEDEE]

The latter I hope, although most Scots think they know the answer,so they do not need to ask the question, I suppose.

Good point - after all it's thanks to the Scottish Regiments that the term regimental came about.

Brian

[O'Callaghan]

I think,with respect, you mis-understand how the Scots View(or not) district tartans. The fact is, that most of us don't even know they exist, so they don't come into our thoughts at all. They can't be a last resort as we,on the whole, don't know about them!

Yes indeed there are Scots that do wear many tartans, I would venture to suggest that they are not the norm though, but it is a free world after all and we are lucky to have the choice of how, where and why we wear the kilt.

Are you saying that the Scots should change their national dress to fit in with the rest of the world's version of what they see as how we Scots should dress? I hope not.That would be impertinence and arrogance,beyond belief! Maybe I am misreading things when you say that the "Scots show common sense"?

Not atall, Jock. I'm just interested in how you see it.

[Jock Scot]

Not atall, Jock. I'm just interested in how you see it.

Oh right! I am glad about that.