Wear of Clan Tartan by non-Clan Members

[David Thorpe]

I tend to see someone wearing one of my clan's tartans as having a connection to the clan or being a kinsman. I would likely say hello, specially as I sit on my clan's association council for my region and I want to get to know people with a connection to the clan.

Having said that I wouldn't get offended and upset if they had no connection provided they treated the tartan with respect. If they were behaving badly or treating the tartan with complete disrespect then that might upset me.....

Personally I only wear tartans to which I have a close family connection.....it's about family for me..... But hey, I respect other's freedom, just return the respect by being respectful of what you are wearing and the fact that, at least to some people, that tartan has significant meaning.

Well said, indeed.

[creagdhubh]

Highland dancers are in a category apart, as are pipe bands. Some clans don't have a dress tartan for their dancers, and pipers are in uniform.

***

[Mike_Oettle]

MacGumerait wrote: “Those folks have the ancestoral right to wear a horned helmet with their kilt ”

You do know, don’t you, that the horned helmet was a Wagnerian invention to make his operatic costumes more dramatic.
And I’m sure you have seen the Hägar the Horrible cartoon where Hägar is caught lying and his horns pop out of his helmet!
Regards,
Mike

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

Perhaps asking the correlated question about the wearing of the clan badge by non clan members is in order?

[McElmurry]

Perhaps asking the correlated question about the wearing of the clan badge by non clan members is in order?

It takes me a while to wrap my mind around this modern clan concept as I am not much of a joiner. I have joined the Clan Morrison Society of North America as a life member (didn't want to write a check every year) to make the wearing of my first kilt relatively free of symbolic complications real or perceived. But wearing a man's arms within a strap and buckle is a whole 'nother kettle of fish, in my uninformed view. I would really prefer to meet the young man first. He will be installed this fall but I will not be able to make it back east for the event. I do not currently pine for a cap and badge but I suppose I might change my mind after becoming more involved in the Society and meeting the new Chief. Time will tell.

[macwilkin]

It takes me a while to wrap my mind around this modern clan concept as I am not much of a joiner. I have joined the Clan Morrison Society of North America as a life member (didn't want to write a check every year) to make the wearing of my first kilt relatively free of symbolic complications real or perceived. But wearing a man's arms within a strap and buckle is a whole 'nother kettle of fish, in my uninformed view. I would really prefer to meet the young man first. He will be installed this fall but I will not be able to make it back east for the event. I do not currently pine for a cap and badge but I suppose I might change my mind after becoming more involved in the Society and meeting the new Chief. Time will tell.

Are you perhaps thinking of the society president rather than the Chief of the Clan Morrison? According to my sources, the current Chief of the Clan Morrison became that in 2010.

T.

[McElmurry]

Are you perhaps thinking of the society president rather than the Chief of the Clan Morrison? According to my sources, the current Chief of the Clan Morrison became that in 2010.

T.

I seem to have used the wrong word. There will be an Investiture Ceremony in New Hampshire in late September to honor the Chief. I am not up on all the protocols but it sounds like he became Chief at his father’s passing and the ceremony is…ceremonial.

[macwilkin]

I seem to have used the wrong word. There will be an Investiture Ceremony in New Hampshire in late September to honor the Chief. I am not up on all the protocols but it sounds like he became Chief at his father’s passing and the ceremony is…ceremonial.

Aha...many thanks for the clarification!

T.

[Meggers]

Anyone with tartan sensitivities shouldn't ever attend a highland dance performance or competition. The nerve of those dancers wearing tartans that don't belong to them!

was this in response to my supposed tartan sensitivities?

[Friday]

was this in response to my supposed tartan sensitivities?

I believe it is in response to my tongue-in-cheek comment in post 95, where I question the number of highland dancers wearing dress Cunningham for their dance.