A newbie needs help!

[Matt Brandon]

Hi folks,

I am American travel and humanitarian photographer living abroad in Malaysia. A Scottish buddy of mine here as invited me to take a few days in July of next year and tour around Scotland with him. He has suggested we do the trip in kilts. Great, but as much as I wish I had Scottish heritage, I don't think I do, so I don't really have a clan tartan, to my knowledge. In doing some research I found that most Brandons seem to hail from Ireland (County Kerry?) Although I did find this link to a Scottish tartan HERE. Is this a tartan I could wear - could I even find a kilt in it? Apparently there is a County Kerry tartan as well. I know I can buy a kilt in a non-clan tartans, but I really would like to wear something that I might have some connection to, does this make since? Or am I over doing this. This is my first kilt and I don't want to blow it. BTW I really like the muted colors of the tartans above. Any advise would be appreciated.

Matt

thedigitaltrekker.com

[Detroitpete]

Matt,

The County Kerry is a great looking tartan:




If I were to start with this, I'd have it made to measure in 16 0z wool. You'll have a real heirloom.

You could always opt for any 'universal' Irish, Scottish or American tartan you'd like as well. Happy choosing.

[Jock Scot]

Welcome, from Inverness-shire. There are plenty of non clan tartans to choose from and if you wish to wear the kilt in Scotland, then please do. All we ask is that you wear it properly. However don't be surprised if you and your friend are the only one's wearing the kilt.

[MacMillans son]

First off welcome aboard Matt!

Your desire to have some connection to the tartan you wear is a common one here, so you are certainly not

It appears that the link to Brandon that you provided is more related to people from the locations of Brandon, not a family name of Brandon. Right?

If you feel you may have some connection to that region, or its occupants, then feel free to wear that tartan, as it meets your "connection" test.

If, following some more research, you learn that you in fact have family from County Kerry, and a definite connection there, then that would be a great choice also.

The photo that Detroitpete posted of County Kerry is certainly a handsome one, in my opinion, and is consistent with your taste in muted colors.

The good thing is that you have time to do some more research between now and next July, which also gives you time to locate a supplier of the tartan you choose, and a kilt maker.

If the tartan you choose is readily available from a mill, and given that you have a specific time frame you are working with, I would allow at least 12 weeks for delivery of the tartan and construction of the kilt by a reputable kilt maker.

I am sure you will get some good input here on your quest, and again, Welcome !

Brooke

[Matt Brandon]

All we ask is that you wear it properly. However don't be surprised if you and your friend are the only one's wearing the kilt.

Hi, if we do this, and now you have made me a little scare that we will be the only people wearing a kilt, I will be sure to wear it proper. I lived in India for 13 years, I always hated it when I saw tourist wearing the local dress casually and in their own way. To me, it really showed a lack of understanding and disrespect for the culture they were visiting. So I will do my best to show my host culture as much respect as I can.

Really...the only ones?

[Matt Brandon]

Brooke

Thanks for your feedback. I understand the feelings (I have read some of the posts) on wearing a clan tartan when not being a part of the said clan and I am of that dame mind set. This is why I posted this. But, what are the feeling of wearing a District Tartan, when you might only be related afar by a hundred years or more? I really like that Country Kerry and someone here has given me a nice link to a kilt maker that I might afford.

Thanks

Matt

[Jock Scot]

Hi Matt.

Daily kilt wearers in Scotland are not that common. Perhaps the occasional hotel worker or shop worker but other than that you will have to look hard to find one. On the other hand you may come across a wedding, funeral, highland games or perhaps the "Tartan Army"(Scots football supporters) may be on manoeuvres, then you will see kilts aplenty.

[joecool]

Welcome Matt! My first advice, listen to Jock! Like Jock said there are a lot of really great looking non clan tartans out there. Personally, since my last name is not Scottish I chose to wear non clan tartans. There are a lot of cool looking district tartans that celebrate certain areas of the world that you may want to check out! Good luck with your search, you can to the right place for advice and we are all happy to help.

[ForresterModern]

Matt,

Jock is right in saying that most scots do not wear the kilt on a daily basis. After two 9-10 day trips where I was kilted nearly every day, I can attest to the infrequency of seeing the kilt on the street in the big cities or the country. Doormen, bellmen, kilt shop workers, and the occasional street pipers will likely be your best shots at seeing native scots kilted, unless as said you come across a wedding, funeral, parade, or highland games. Maybe around a church on a warm Sunday morning. You are more likely to run into other kilted tourists, some not necessarily wearing the kilt in what most here would consider a traditional fashion. You will stick out, and in touristy areas you will be stopped for questions, photos, and sometimes even asked for directions by other unsuspecting tourists who are assuming you to be a native.

But have no fear, Scotland is generally kilt friendly just about everywhere (stay away from a particular Royal golf course who will not be named here but which rhymes with 'moon'), and most appreciate your efforts if you are trying to do it "right". The hard part is figuring out that "right" part. All I can say is wear it with the respect it is due as the national dress of a fine and proud people. You should be able to get a lot of help with that "right" part around this forum.

jeff

[figheadair]

There's also a Brandon tartan in it's own right. Not old, and generally associated with the the place in Manitoba but worth a look - http://www.tartansauthority.com/tart...er_search=Find