MacBean Modern

[MacBean]

My first kilt was a Burnett's and Struth casual MacBean Ancient, a simple, light-weight kilt that I still love (visible in the bottom picture of the set).

Today, my first hand-sewn MacBean Modern (Locharron weave) arrived from Barbara T., who somehow managed to fit it in between Iceland and Mars (oh, did I forget South Africa?). I am wearing a regulation doublet hand-made for a Scottish piper back when I was a child, an eBay find by MacLowlife, to whom I am indebted for mentioning it here. It is well worn inside the lapels from all the music it produced. The fox sporran was made by David McConnell of Mineral, VA. OK, I don't normally go around in black tie on a Wednesday evening, but that's what jumped out of the closet.

I asked Barbara to experiment with some pleatings to the stripe, and she sent back two options. The first looked too dense...

The second was more interesting, but would have presented a very red rear. I chose pleating to the sett (we've been told that not all tartans pleat well to the stripe and this is a good example)








My wife noticed the improved swish factor over a machine-made eight-yard Scott Green Weathered, and I'd be curious to know why that would be.

I departed from a single-tartan convention when I wanted something less valuable than the MacBean Modern I'd ordered from Barbara. Early ancestors married Scott and Buckalew(both Clan Scott), so when Rocky listed one that didn't fit a customer, I relieved him of his problem . It's subdued hues make a nice alternative to the bright MacBean (there is no MacBean hunting or weathered), though here is my son wearing the MacBean Ancient).


Later, I found a picture of a MacBean Ancient pleated to the light blue and white stripes by Deborah Kommallan which I rather like. It's a little different from Barbara's as hers centered on a dark stripe. Here it is:

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

The kilt looks great (and since Barbara Tewksbury made it, why wouldn't it!). I've always secretly envied my Mother's side of the family their McBain tartan-- one of the best red tartans going, in my opinion.

For what it's worth my Mother's nephew had a custom weave of the tartan done in the "rep colours" which rendered the red a lovely sort of brown colour-- the ideal McBain Hunting Tartan... perhaps your next kilt?

[CMcG]

Great pics and a great outfit!

[ThistleDown]

Congratulations, Mark (and Barb, of course). That is truly superb. I agree with Rathdown: the present McBain has registered "reproduction" tartan as being acceptable to him and it is truly beautiful; your next perhaps? In the meanwhile, enjoy this super Lochcaron/Tewksbury -- what a combination!

Rex

[Bugbear]

Congratulations, Mark, glad you have your new kilt.

[denmcdough]

Mark, excellent pics! Thanks for sharing them. Glad you like the new Barb T. kilt.

When you came to Ligonier, what kilt did you have on? Was it the MacBean ancient, the one your son is wearing? Whatever it was, I truly enjoyed it.

[Riverkilt]

Always a pleasure to see a man think out the tartan he wants because it is meaningful to him, then have it sewn up.

A joy to see another father and son kilted pic!

[MacBean]

Thank you for your many kind comments, but all credit goes to our kilt makers.

A double mention of reproduction colors. Oh no, I've barely started on this kilt, and now you have me chasing another! I will have to look up what reproduction colors mean.

[BLHS209]

Very nice, both (all) of them. barb must be VERY busy mailing the past few days, you are the second I read that got their kilt from her today.

Chris Shepherd

[GMan]

Pure class.