Researching my Great Great grandparents i have come across the following clan names, Turnbull, Weir, Craig and Lindsay, I have been told that you can only wear the tartan from the clan you are related too, is this true? and if so could i wear any of the above?
Many Thanks
Relevance of Clans
Moderators: Global Moderators, Russell
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Russell
- Posts: 2559
- Joined: Sat Dec 24, 2005 5:59 pm
- Location: Kilbarchan, Renfrewshire
Hi
You can wear any tartan you please if you like the colours. Tartans are a fairly recent invention although clan affiliations were often shown by the colours chosen when dying and weaving a cloth 2-300 years ago.
Lowland families did not have the same kind of family connections which the Highland and Island clans shared so there are no traditional tartans associated with them. However anyone can design a tartan and have the design registered so there are many new designs available. If one has been produced for one of your family names and is on the list then , sure, you have every right to wear it.
Tartan has become a symbol of Scottishness which many ex-pats appreciate but does not have the deeper afilliations which many attribute to it.
Many of the clan septs/branches were families under the protection of a particular clan but had no blood links to the original clan.
Pick a tartan and enjoy it. The weaving of the cloth was a skilled activity especially when woven on a handloom where accuracy in setting up and production was essential.
Russell
You can wear any tartan you please if you like the colours. Tartans are a fairly recent invention although clan affiliations were often shown by the colours chosen when dying and weaving a cloth 2-300 years ago.
Lowland families did not have the same kind of family connections which the Highland and Island clans shared so there are no traditional tartans associated with them. However anyone can design a tartan and have the design registered so there are many new designs available. If one has been produced for one of your family names and is on the list then , sure, you have every right to wear it.
Tartan has become a symbol of Scottishness which many ex-pats appreciate but does not have the deeper afilliations which many attribute to it.
Many of the clan septs/branches were families under the protection of a particular clan but had no blood links to the original clan.
Pick a tartan and enjoy it. The weaving of the cloth was a skilled activity especially when woven on a handloom where accuracy in setting up and production was essential.
Russell
Working on: Oman, Brock, Miller/Millar, in Caithness.
Roan/Rowan, Hastings, Sharp, Lapraik in Ayr & Kirkcudbrightshire.
Johnston, Reside, Lyle all over the place !
McGilvray(spelt 26 different ways)
Watson, Morton, Anderson, Tawse, in Kilrenny
Roan/Rowan, Hastings, Sharp, Lapraik in Ayr & Kirkcudbrightshire.
Johnston, Reside, Lyle all over the place !
McGilvray(spelt 26 different ways)
Watson, Morton, Anderson, Tawse, in Kilrenny
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Ina
- Global Moderator
- Posts: 1367
- Joined: Wed Dec 08, 2004 6:46 am
- Location: California,originally from Greenock.
Hi Scotslink,
Russell is absolutely correct. You can wear whichever tartan you choose.
I own three kilts....... Ferguson, McDougall and McAllister.
Every state in the USA now have their own tartan, as do the US marines and the US army. Most of the Canadian Provinces also have their own tartans. Most districts and many cities in Scotland have their own tartans, so your kilt doesn't have to be by family name.
I work for a kiltmaker who designs tartans. For those in the USA who are familiar with the "Red Hat Ladies".........they have just had their own tartan designed by us....colors are purple, red, pink and lavandar.
Ina
Russell is absolutely correct. You can wear whichever tartan you choose.
I own three kilts....... Ferguson, McDougall and McAllister.
Every state in the USA now have their own tartan, as do the US marines and the US army. Most of the Canadian Provinces also have their own tartans. Most districts and many cities in Scotland have their own tartans, so your kilt doesn't have to be by family name.
I work for a kiltmaker who designs tartans. For those in the USA who are familiar with the "Red Hat Ladies".........they have just had their own tartan designed by us....colors are purple, red, pink and lavandar.
Ina