Hello from the Netherlands

**sadkingbilly** · 22nd July 12, 12:18 PM

Hello all!

I'm a (currently) 39 year old male from the Netherlands. I've been interested in kilts ever since I saw a bagpipe band wear them when I was about 14 but of course, at that time there was no way for me to get (or even afford) a kilt. A few years later I met a boy with highland heritage who actually owned a (dress) kilt outfit which he was happy to let me try on. It was a clan tartan, very deep blue and black with a red and ocre stripe. Don't remember its name and I lost contact with him a few years later. All I remember was how well it fit (it was a 1500 pound outfit, remember I'm talking 20 years back!) and that it felt good to wear.

Since I don't have any connection to scotland directly (one of my ancestors might be of scottish or welsh heritage but I'm not sure, my family lived in Friesland (Netherlands) for many generations. So, I can't claim a clan tartan but every time I saw someone wearing a kilt I wished I owned one.

I just ordered my first kilt pack (kilt, sporran, pin, belt and buckle and trousers) with the black watch tartan since I learned anyone can wear it. Last thing I want is offend someone by wearing their tartan of course. I didn't order the sgian dubh since it's illegal to carry a blade over 4" long here in public. It comes from buyakilt.com. Very friendly people and very helpful. Unfortunately I ordered the kilt a size 40 and turns out it only fit on the smallest setting so after seeking advice from buyakilt chat I returned it and ordered a smaller one. I hope it will be here next week.

I only tried the kilt for about half an hour but already felt sad parting from it. It will definately become one of my favorite garments for casual wear (attending a wedding or dinner in a kilt might offend more than entertain) and I might order another tartan shortly. Who knows, I might, someday, get permission to wear a clan tartan ;)

Anyway, I hope to meet and befriend a lot of different people from around the world here!

**gary meakin** · 22nd July 12, 01:26 PM

Welcome from New Hampshire!
You don't need permission to wear a clan tartan.
Wearing it with respect and perhaps a little bit of knowledge about it is all that's "required".

**Donald Macpherson** · 22nd July 12, 02:42 PM

sadkingbilly, I enjoyed your story...... Welcome from Paradise, N. California.

**McClef** · 22nd July 12, 03:40 PM

from South Wales UK!

There are relatively few tartans that you would be forbidden to wear.

Views on the etiquette vary but many clans do not even have a Chief to ask permission of in the first place so respect and knowledge are better pointers.

**dougle** · 22nd July 12, 04:03 PM

Hi & welcome from Worcestershire England

**Spartan Tartan** · 22nd July 12, 11:22 PM

from Oklahoma, USA.

**tulloch** · 23rd July 12, 05:34 AM

Welcome from the highlands of Central Massachusetts, New England, North America.

**Piipriker** · 23rd July 12, 06:07 AM

welcome from Germany

salü Jörg

**McFarkus** · 23rd July 12, 06:59 AM

from Chicago. If you go to the Tartan Ferret on the Scottish Tartans Authority and enter Dutch, several tartans come up. If you decide to have a custom made kilt sometime, you might consider one of these.