In response to the question of whether a Boyd can wear the Royal Stewart Tartan, let me first
preface with the statement that we live in America and we can do as we please! As the Chair of the Genealogical Committee and a
Genealogist for Clan Stewart in America, Inc., as well as the Northern California Convenor for
the House of Boyd Society, I answer this question quite frequently at the various Scottish
Gatherings where I work at both the Stewart and Boyd tents.
If you ascribe to the idea that the Boyds have the same ancestry as the Stewarts, being descendants of Walter, First High Steward of Scotland, by way of his two sons, Alan, the progenitor of the Stewarts and Simon the progenitor (without proof) of the Boyds, then you will accept the Boyds as a Sept of the Stewart line. Given this, we are in the Royal House of Stewart and, thus, would be "entitled" to wear the Royal Stewart Tartan. However, etiquette dictates that the honor of wearing the Royal Stewart Tartan is to be left to the current Royal Family. I have heard, (although I cannot remember where or when!), that the Boyd Tartan is based on the Royal Stewart. In looking at the sett, or the pattern of the plaid, this seems plausible to me. They are very similar. As are our crests. We share a common pattern in our shields. The checker board that goes across the middle of the shield is called a Fesse Chequy (fess-checky). It is reminiscent of the position of Steward.
The folks at the Clan Stewart tents gently recommend that folks that are going to make a major
investment in the purchase of a kilt and full regalia not purchase the Royal Stewart, but instead
choose another of the 66 Stewart Tartans. This is not to mean that those who have
already made the investment should be told not to wear their kilts! Even members of the Royal
Stuart Performance Guild do not wear the Royal Stewart Tartan. They have chosen to wear the
Dress Stewart.
As a Boyd, being in the Royal House, or from the "original" branch of the family you are
"entitled" to wear any of the Stewart Tartans, with a few exceptions. The exceptions being for
tartans of particular branches of the family: Stewart of Bute, Stewart of Atholl, Stewart of Appin,
and Stewart of Galloway. Also, I recommend that you not choose the black and white version, as
that is the mourning cloth and intended as a casket cover!
The bottom line is that when you are going to make the investment, be it $150 for a kilt skirt or
$1000 for the kilt and full regalia, choose something that you like. Etiquette would dictate not
buying the Royal Stewart for this purpose. However, you will not be arrested for it! And if you
really love it, LLBean and others sell shirts, jackets and sleepwear in that particular pattern, so
buy it. Just do not wear it to the games or to Scotland and no one will make comments about
whether or not it is "appropriate" or "politically correct".
And to let you know, there had been quite a lively discussion about Tartans on the Boyd Clan List about a year ago. A few months later the Stewart Discussion List had a similar discussion. Quite a lively topic! Oh! Before I forget.... I should let you know that we Boyds actually have two tartans of our own. We also have an Ancient Tartan. It tends more toward an orange and sea green. If you call J. Higgins, Ltd. at 1 800 426-7268, they will be happy to send you a catalog and also a swatch of your tartans in order to make your decision as to which one you want your kilt/kilt skirt made from. They will also make custom flashes in our Tartan, if you ask. Very reasonable prices and good tailoring.