My Friend the Big Swede

**Colonel MacNeal** · 30th June 09, 05:55 PM

My friend Olson, the big Swede, is considering getting a kilt. (6'-6" tall) He wanted to know which tartan would be appropriate. I asked him if he had any relations named Anders or Anderson, hoping that the Anderson tartan might work for him, but he didn't. He has no Scottish or Irish family connections either.

What do the rabble suggest, aside from the rare Swedish tartans that require a custom weave?

Cheers, ColMac

**SteveB** · 30th June 09, 06:21 PM

The kilt should be a tartan that the gent likes. There are many generic tartans that are universal, and have no specific clan affiliation. The USA Kilts website has the P/V tartans that Rocky stocks, and the ** is used to indicate the free for all tartans such as the American Heritage, Scotland National, Irish, Black Watch, etc. The link to the premier line displays all the tartans that are woven by the houses of tartan in Scotland. His height is not the determining factor in the tartan. It might suggest a larger sett, if his proportions call for a real long length and he is a MOS. Both of my sons are taller than 6' 6". The eldest is 6'9" and is the human caber. (same shape) 29 waist 32 hip and 29 length, wears a tartan in a small sett so as to not look any leaner than he already is. The younger one is 6'7" and about average width, so he can wear just about anything 34 waist 40 hip and 24 length. His build allows any sett to work, and he uses the larger setts to balance out his height. Being the short one 6'1" and the human fire plug, I can get away with almost anything as well.

**macwilkin** · 30th June 09, 06:25 PM

The Black Watch would be appropriate, given that the Pipes & Drums of the 1st Royal Engineer Regiment of the Swedish Army wears it:

http://www.sackpipa.com/eng/

Skaal!

T.

**McMurdo** · 30th June 09, 06:26 PM

I was thinking Black Watch as well Todd, good call.

**MacMillan of Rathdown** · 30th June 09, 06:29 PM

Todd, wasn't it a Sinclair that raised a troop of Scots to serve under Gustavus Adolphus? If so, that would probably be a better choice than the ubiquitous Black Watch, nes pas?

**macwilkin** · 30th June 09, 06:30 PM

Originally Posted by MacMillan of Rathdown

Todd, wasn't it a Sinclair that raised a troop of Scots to serve under Gustavus Adolphus? If so, that would probably be a better choice than the ubiquitous Black Watch, nes pas?

Good point. A Mackay tartan would also be appropriate, since they raised a regiment to fight under Swedish service.

T.

**MacMillan of Rathdown** · 30th June 09, 06:43 PM

I have to agree-- I think a "mercenary" tartan, with Swedish connections, would somehow be a bit more appropriate.

**Steeplechase** · 30th June 09, 07:00 PM

ColMac,

May I presume Big Swede is in Texas as well? If so, Bluebonnet would fill the bill. I just don't know how readily it may be obtained.

Just my observation.

**macwilkin** · 30th June 09, 07:40 PM

Originally Posted by Steeplechase

ColMac,

May I presume Big Swede is in Texas as well? If so, Bluebonnet would fill the bill. I just don't know how readily it may be obtained.

Just my observation.

Another good suggestion. Not only is there a local purveyor of the Bluebonnet tartan in Texas, but it could also be ordered through Matt or Barb.

T.

**raibeart_dubh** · 30th June 09, 07:53 PM

Hmmm...Black Watch would be good. What about a tartan of a clan with Norse descent? There are quite a few of those out there, check and see if any of his lineage matches up with some of those clans. Other than that, I'd say let him choose what he likes or feels the strongest connection to.