Owning & Wearing Restricted Tartans (If you get access to one!)

Ever want a kilt made in some really cool tartan made by someone like Disney, your Alma Mater or Nintendo? Sure. We all have!

Here's Rocky to tell you what it takes to get a kilt made when the tartan is normally restricted in use. The big secret is $$$

Who can design a tartan? Who can register and restrict a tartan?
Anyone can design and register a tartan with the Scottish government. And the tartan they make can have restrictions on who is allowed to weave and wear it. It could be as simple as a family tartan made for "Smiths living in the greater Philadelphia region and related to Billy Bob Smith". Or as complex as a corporate tartan designed as a marketing tool and locked down with US copyrights -- think Disney's 'Brave' tartan. The most common controlled tartans are attached to schools and universities; again often used a a marketing and branding tool especially if the school has Celtic roots.

How do you get access to a restricted tartan?
Getting access to a restricted tartan can be as simple as writing a letter, or as complex as signing a contract and paying for the privilege. Once you have access, the rest is up to you and your wallet.

HEY WANT TO DESIGN YOUR OWN TARTAN RIGHT NOW FOR FREE?
Check this out -

Tartans in this video:
Rocky - Stewart Old
Erik - Philadelphia Police & Fire

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Started in 2003, USA Kilts is a team of kilt makers and artisans located in Spring City PA. In 2017, we made it our mission to build community and bring kilts and Celtic culture to the forefront with our YT show: Kilts & Culture.

[RobKenchu]

When you have your own loom, no tartan is restricted! Mwahahahaha!

[andrewnowak]

I also went to a military university Norwich University. The school will not really produce anything with it but they are very willing to allow you to have it woven for yourself. Be prepared to spend quite a few dollars! But we’ll worth it. I love my Norwich kilt!

[iand]

I believe Grey Douglas has some restrictions. It was approved by King George V in 1933 for Pipe Bands of the Reserve Air Force Squadrons. Its a very striking Tartan. I wore it when I played in 2622 Sqn Pipe Band

[onemercilessming]

The kilts worn by the royal family while in Scotland are restricted. I remember looking them up and seeing that some authorization to wear them was required. Now, when I was a girl in high school (think 1960s), there was a year or two when we wore what we called kiltie-skirts. They were either a red or blue/green wool plaid. None of us had authorization to wear those plaids, but they were manufactured just the same, regaining popularity in the 1970s for a time. My questions (at last!) are: How was that possible? Was it a slightly different weave? A difference in the dyes? A difference in pleating/sewing? Or what? Thank you in advance for your response.

[dougdraper]

Still looking/waiting to see if there's a tartan for Texas A%M University 😁

[CaptoftheHaggister]

I have a question. Not sure where to post it. Just wondering if someone designs a tartan and marks it as restricted. Many years later that person is now now ill they know they won't recover from and change their mind. Can they do a process to "unlock" the pattern so it is no longer restricted?

[adamwiggins]

Thanks for having some class Erik… the fella beside you (the business owner) comes off like a used car salesman “give us your money!!” you and I know the Channel and FB account funnels LOTS of business to you… so that “it doesn’t have to be us” is appreciated by the smaller independent makers out there.

[marktelfer]

Dont wear military tartans ... Royal Stewart ... Black Watch etc. Big no....