Question for those who only wear tartans in their bloodline

**duffy794** · 1st November 12, 09:27 AM

I am beating another part of a dead horse!

I was perusing some older threads to try to find the answer to a question and I came across this thread.

http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f...0/index10.html

It got me to thinking.

I have not fully decided on where I fall but I am leaning towards only wearing tartans of my bloodlines.

so the question:

Would you wear a tartan of a clan that would not have you as a member even if you are related by blood?

Ie I have a Maclean from about 8 generations back. My interpretation of their membership requirements is that it must be within 3 generations. (same as the MacGregor

Would yall say to heck with them? or would you move on?

Also I fall under the category who likes to ask the clan if it is ok. what would yall do if they do not respond? or you can not find a link to an association (ie MacQueen)

Just bouncing ideas

I know some are wear only one, and others are wear what you want, and there are not rules or tartan police.

I guess I am looking for a rational to apply, and a set of logic.

thanks!

**Father Bill** · 1st November 12, 12:49 PM

So, what's your surname? If it's a clan name, that's the one. As for three generations back, you must be talking about some clan association. You don't "get" a membership in a clan; you just are what you are, and if it's a clan... you area member by right, not by being had as a member. The heck with the clan association in that case!

**KenB** · 1st November 12, 12:55 PM

Ditto, Father Bill. However, although I wear my family/clan tartan, there are several district/provincial tartans I would wear.

**Pleater** · 1st November 12, 04:20 PM

Hey - I have ties to Wilson - my father's mother was a Wilson.

They were engineers, working on the steam engines which powered the mills of Yorkshire. My father's grandfather and uncle used to give him sixpence to clean out the fireboxes whilst he was still small enough to fit in through the doors.

There is a link to the Vikings - my father and brother had/have Dupuytren's contracture which is considered to be associated with Nordic people. My grandfather and his brothers did not have it, so the Wilson side is the more likely source.

If you have a connection to a family name then I can't see any reason to avoid wearing the tartan associated with it - as long as you are perfectly sure about it and there is no likelihood of there being an error - sometimes a surname can be associated with different clans depending on where they originated geographically.

Here in the UK it is possible to get hold of all sorts of tartans which are not associated with a surname or clan - if you wanted a particular colourway it would be possible with a bit of searching to find several tartans to chose from, non with clan ties.

Anne the Pleater :ootd:

**duffy794** · 1st November 12, 04:55 PM

My other post will post soon I hope, but things were also complicated because since the red was going to be a kick around for like ren faires and not wool. I was kind of limited to a few tartans. That also got me going on the Maclean, MacQueen, and Robertson

**California Highlander** · 1st November 12, 05:15 PM

For something knockaround, the Celtic Nations, Celtic Glen, and Duke of Rothsay/Prince of Wales are all red-based, available in a USAKilts casual in PV and not clan-based. Royal Stewart is another option that is frequently available from many vendors in PV, acrylic, and wool.

**MacMillan of Rathdown** · 1st November 12, 01:09 PM

Hoary old hide-bound traditionalist that I am, I hold with the idea that one should wear his father's tartan or, failing that, the tartan of one's mother. But I also understand that sometimes one may have to reach back quite a few generations before finding that Scottish link. Personally I think the "Three Generation Rule" is a good one, provided there is a mechanism to allow a Mr. Bianchi, who may trace his ancestry back further than three generations, to be recognized as a member of the clan.

My advice would be to write directly to the chief of the clan to which you have the closest blood connection and ask to be admitted to the clan under a bond of manrent. Historically chiefs have admitted "outsiders" to their clan in this manner, and once agreed, you are a member of his clan, full stop. Just remember though that most clan chiefs have to carry the burden of clan administration by themselves, and so it can take a while for them to respond to correspondence; likewise clan societies tend to be volunteer associations (often managed by the elderly) and this can also cause delay's in correspondence. If you haven't heard back in 90 days a polite "reminder" is not out of order.

**duffy794** · 1st November 12, 01:34 PM

thanks guys. I am a wilson Surname (gunn) but my ancestors are from sweden (possible norse) the only one I can actually trace to is Colquhoun (who said come on).

I guess to be honest I would like a red based tartan and so I have looked at other lines to find one that would fit. Maclean of Argyl is my best connection but it is a ways back. I should probably just say to heck with the association. It is what it is.

thanks for helping me figure it out

**MacMillans son** · 1st November 12, 03:15 PM

Originally Posted by duffy794

thanks guys. I am a wilson Surname (gunn) but my ancestors are from sweden (possible norse) the only one I can actually trace to is Colquhoun (who said come on).

I guess to be honest I would like a red based tartan and so I have looked at other lines to find one that would fit. Maclean of Argyl is my best connection but it is a ways back. I should probably just say to heck with the association. It is what it is.

thanks for helping me figure it out

Sorry duffy, I'm a bit confused. Are you looking to identify which clan you would most naturally be a member of, or are you trying to justify the wearing of a specific color tartan that you like? If it's the latter, there are a number of non-clan tartans that are red based.

**MacGumerait** · 2nd November 12, 12:51 AM

Originally Posted by duffy794

thanks guys. I am a wilson Surname (gunn) but my ancestors are from sweden (possible norse) the only one I can actually trace to is Colquhoun (who said come on).

I guess to be honest I would like a red based tartan and so I have looked at other lines to find one that would fit. Maclean of Argyl is my best connection but it is a ways back. I should probably just say to heck with the association. It is what it is.

thanks for helping me figure it out

Duffy , I agree with others , this is a bit confusing . Help us help you . Please follow with me here and I'll try to pose the proper points .

1. You are asking about wearing tartans of other clans in your origanlal post and it seems you have that answer .

2. You are stating that your last name is Wilson or is it Gunn ? It's not quite clear by your statement above . The way it's worded it could be either . I understand the relationhip , just not sure which one .

3. If you have ties to Maclean from 8 generations back , then that can come into question by many Clan Associations as that is a long time in regards to historical info .

4. If you are looking for a red based tartan for a new kilt and you want to stay within your current clan knowledge of Wilson then go with the previous suggestions of the Wilson tartan.

5. If you like the Maclean tartan , there is nothing stopping you from ordering that one either .

6. It all stems from from what you are wanting to do . If you want to be clan specific , you pretty much have your answer , if not ( which that is okay ) , there are many red based tartans that are considered universal .

Hope this helps rather than confuse . I don't claim to be an expert , others here have far more knowledge and expertise than myself .

Best regards , Mike