Greetings ye kilted cousins all.

**xman** · 11th March 10, 03:00 PM

I was introduced to this forum a few years ago by a member on another gentlemanly (women encouraged) forum www.straightrazorplace.com where I have been an active member for some years now. Only recently have I looked in here again, originally searching for some tartan clarity (soooooo many) primarily for my wife who I must ashamedly admit has been walking around looking like a cheap Scottish floozy wearing multiple tartans and none of them mine. This will change, but likely after the summer. My bifurcated exclusivity will, I intend, change much sooner. Cost is an issue for me so I must be frugal and hunt around.

Out of the introduction now I must first echo the many voices who praise and appreciate the wealth of information and advice provided by the fine members of this site. Far above average for Interwebs Land, XMarks stands as an example of how to correspond through this public virtual medium. Well done indeed.

To my search:
I was kilted once, on stage playing Malcolm in a production of Macbeth in Edmonton AB some years ago. Decked in an overlong Black Watch tank, I was shocked to discover how comfortable and secure it was. My fears of exposing myself to the audience during our active fights were completely unfounded. A kilt, I felt and still do, is a garment I could largely live in and plan to do so at least part of the time. My first will be purchased soon. I look at this first purchase as one where I will get to understand how a kilt will work for me in daily life and from there I will purchase a few casual wool (likely) garments (PV perhaps) to wear for various occasions. Right now, I pretty much think I'll try to get away with it as often as possible. I simply have to make a purchase soon. Most of my trousers are wearing out at the same time at the cuffs and knees, neither of which are part of a kilt so it's a bit of a no brainer if I want to keep from buying a new pair of pants every six months for the rest of my life. This is an assumption however. Perhaps some of you could verify the veracity of my conclusion that kilts wear slower than pants. My leather belt and wallet are also falling apart so I can even justify purchasing a sporran and kilt belt at this time too. You see how the stars are aligning for me?

(completely unsuperstitious, me, in actuality)

As I stated earlier cost is a real concern. Good kilts do not come cheap, especially when one is looking for an uncommon tartan, Clanranald. I know I'm entitled to wear Clan Donald, but when it's on my dime I don't particularly wanna. We're a prolific lot, but most of my clan don't seem partial enough to the clan tartan to make it easily obtainable. Bit of a bother that. I'm thinking of an Ancient for more colourful days, perhaps lighter weight for summer and a Modern for darker wear and winter as being my main stays with a few more to come if I find it suits me well. This leads me to my first question.

What would you folks consider a good summer weight of wool or alternate fabric? I'm not looking for an eight yarder at all right now. If and when I ever need something so dressy I can always rent one. I ask because I remember being very hot under the stage lights dressed in a full wool costume and don't want to suffer summers away. As it stands now, some time after the spring equinox I shed long pants and shoes and socks completely for shorts and sandals. It has been so for decades now and I am certain will not change so part of what I wish to accomplish is the same level of cool comfort to which I am I am accustomed. Anybody else wear kilts with sandals?

I trust my wife implicitly on many subjects and attire is near the top of that list. She tells me that Poly Viscose will pill and simply not last. Is this true? If it is it would weigh against considerations to buy this material as a lighter summer option. Not necessarily eliminate the option, but reveal an important consideration.

Well, that seems enough for now. Ten times more questions have been answered already by lurking through the forums and I know there is more to be gleaned so I go now to enlighten myself further.

X (Yes that's my name. I must belong here.)

**BoldHighlander** · 11th March 10, 03:30 PM

...from another of Clan Donald (Macranald/Macdonnell of Keppoch in fact) in the far nw corner of Washington state!

**piperdbh** · 11th March 10, 03:31 PM

First off, welcome aboard from western North Carolina, the greatest place on Earth!

I have no experience with PV kilts, so I can't comment on them. However, if you're worried about excessive heat in the summer, you might want to investigate a 4-yard box-pleated kilt.
Yes, some of us do wear sandals with our kilts. And t-shirts. (Shhhh, don't tell Jock!)
You can probably find tartan MacDonald of Clanranald available on the 'web, and have a kiltmaker here make up a beautiful kilt from it. In fact, some of the kiltmakers might know exactly where to find it.

**Chas** · 11th March 10, 03:32 PM

Hello Xman,

Welcome to XMarks from the other side of the Atlantic in Norfolk, England.

Regards

Chas

**Ruanaidh** · 11th March 10, 03:38 PM

Welcome to the Rabble from West Texas.

**BoldHighlander** · 11th March 10, 03:51 PM

Here are a just a couple sources of Clanranald tartan which can easily be obtained by any kilt maker on this forum:

Lochcarron:

Macdonald Of Clanranald Ancient Tartan (medium weight)

Macdonald Of Clanranald Tartan (Strome weight)

House of Edgar:

Macdonald Of Clanranald (medium & heavy weights / and Old & Rare)

Happy hunting!