7% Scot, 87% Irish; What Would You Do?

[OC Richard]

...most people have no idea which tartan is what. The exception is at a highland games event -- there seems to be a few more people present who can identify some of the more common tartans at first glance.

Yes, that's been my experience. Most people know nothing about tartans beyond having read somewhere that the various patterns stand for different families.

The next-largest group is the vast number of people who know one tartan by name: Black Watch.

For quite a few years I routinely wore a Black Watch kilt for piping gigs and I was impressed at how many people recognized it! It seemed like at every piping gig somebody would walk up and ask "is that Black Watch?"

But then I started routinely wearing Isle Of Skye at piping gigs, and guess what? Just as many people as before walk up and ask "is that Black Watch?"

At Highland Games there's plenty of tartan knowledge amongst the Clan Tent people as one might expect.

With the Pipe Band people, not so much! It surprises me how many Pipe Band people don't know the name of the tartan they spend so much time wearing, especially so since at many Pipe Band contests they announce each band's tartan along with the band's name.

[Nyckname]

There's an official U.S.A. tartan that's nice, and anyone can wear. It was registered for the Bicentennial.

https://www.scotweb.co.uk/tartan/Uni...ntennial/51207

[Jock Scot]

As a long-time resident in the US, and having spent a considerable amount of time in Ireland, I will say that most people have no idea which tartan is what. The exception is at a highland games event -- there seems to be a few more people present who can identify some of the more common tartans at first glance. I suppose there will be a bit more knowledge in the highlands but I can't judge that based on my limited time spent there.

Jonathan

If my amateur fun surveys--------- interesting, but not necessarily what every Highland Scot thinks or even, what every Scot thinks---------, "Food For Thought" and "Food For Thought 2", that I published here a few years ago are anything to go by, then I think most Scots could probably only identify about 5 tartans. I could not disagree with those findings.

[jthk]

If my amateur fun surveys--------- interesting, but not necessarily what every Highland Scot thinks or even, what every Scot thinks---------, "Food For Thought" and "Food For Thought 2", that I published here a few years ago are anything to go by, then I think most Scots could probably only identify about 5 tartans. I could not disagree with those findings.

Jock,

I remember those two threads and found them highly interesting and, indeed, provided me with much "food for thought". I have since referred to them at least once since your original postings. Thanks again.

Jonathan

[DyerStraits]

You're not so much like myself, and so many others--my own Celtic geneology is almost exactly 50% Scots/50% Irish, and I am greatly and equally proud of both. Do a bit of research to see which clan(s) your surname is sept of (mine is also a sept of Lamont, which itself happens to be my given name) and also review the multitude of unrestricted tartans, and simply take it from there. Consult with the X Markers as needed--we are always right there with you. Kilt On, Brother.

[jthk]

You're not so much like myself, and so many others--my own Celtic geneology is almost exactly 50% Scots/50% Irish, and I am greatly and equally proud of both.

Of course, then there's the entirely different discussion of what is meant by "Celtic" ... etc. Another thread, maybe!

[DyerStraits]

Of course, then there's the entirely different discussion of what is meant by "Celtic" ... etc. Another thread, maybe!

Good point--I probably do tend to use the terms Celtic and Gaelic somewhat interchangeably (I once posed the question, What's the difference between "Latino" and "Hispanic" to a group of Latin-American friends; I didn't think that conversation would EVER end...)

[jthk]

Good point--I probably do tend to use the terms Celtic and Gaelic somewhat interchangeably (I once posed the question, What's the difference between "Latino" and "Hispanic" to a group of Latin-American friends; I didn't think that conversation would EVER end...)

That would be an interesting and educational conversation to hear!

[OC Richard]

the difference between "Latino" and "Hispanic"

Both are linguistic terms which are too often used as "race" labels.

No-one has ever demonstrated a link between "race" and language.

Even though Spain is a European country and Latin is a European language people around here use "Spanish" "Hispanic" "Latin" and "Latino" to refer to people which have Native American DNA to a greater or lesser extent.

[jthk]

Both are linguistic terms which are too often used as "race" labels.

No-one has ever demonstrated a link between "race" and language.

Even though Spain is a European country and Latin is a European language people around here use "Spanish" "Hispanic" "Latin" and "Latino" to refer to people which have Native American DNA to a greater or lesser extent.

Interesting! Here, in western Massachusetts, my native friends usually use the terms "native", "Indian", "skin", or "First Nation" to describe themselves with each other. My Puerto Rican students use "Spanish" to refer to anyone who speaks Spanish (or whose parents do) and comes from - or whose family originates from - south of the US/Mexican border. Others have used Latino to refer to the same group of people. I don't hear "Hispanic" very much anymore.

Jonathan