Ponderings of an ancient Scot.

[KFCarter]

Inventing new distinctly non-Scot tartans seems a bit like turning one's back on one's own lineage. By continuing to wear clan tartans, we are doing what our forefathers wanted us to do: preserve their history and culture, even if it's not in Scotland.

This is a thoughtful post, Tobus, but I'd like to comment on just the last bit above. I actually feel that kilts and tartans are and always have been a living expression of Scottish heritage and as such they will always evolve somewhat in their use and expression. Perhaps less so in their country of origin where clan ties (or lack thereof) are clear and distinct, but evolve they will.

I think that someone of Scottish heritage who creates a tartan to reflect their more recent lineage and home is most certainly not "turning their back" on their ancient lineage, but rather bringing it forward, alive and kicking, into current relevance for themselves and their descendants.

I've already seen the effect this can have on my family. My children respect my interest in our family's ancient roots, but are somewhat bemused by it all. The first time I saw a glimmer of real tartan-interest in my son's teenage eyes was when I showed him the tartan I'm designing to reflect our family and our Savannah home. He asked if I planned to make it into a kilt and I told him I planned to see it made into many kilts. He got it...and he smiled.

It's pretty safe to say that one day, hopefully in the far distant future, when he stands by my grave, he'll find it much more meaningful to be in a kilt made from this more recent tartan. But even though the tartan isn't ancient, he'll be in a kilt, and that kilt will be in a family tartan. And that act in itself will be in honor of his deeper roots that run all the way back to Scotland.