Newly Discovered Ancestry

[230Ball]

First off, hello!
I recently retired from the military and had time on my hands to investigate family lore that one of our lines traced to 16th century Scotland. After what turned out to be a very educational and enjoyable research project I was able to validate it and also discover that my Scottish ancestry first set foot in the Colonies in 1650. Since my research I've been invited to and attended a Highland festival and a Burns Night. Needless to say, a kilt is in my future!
My primary goal is to purchase kit for formal occasions and would greatly appreciate the advice of this forum. Since most of the formal events are military in nature, I would like to know what color quality (modern, ancient, reproduction, weaver's), weight, yardage, box pleat, vendor, etc. As a newbie I know just enough to be totally confused!
Thanks in advance!

[Father Bill]

Welcome to the "Great Rabble!"

I'm sure that you'll get lots of advice here, most of it good. Recommendation: keep it conservative. Proper kit without lots of gew-gaws is best looking and most respectable.

Again, welcome!

[Jock Scot]

Welcome, from Inverness-shire.

[Kiltedjohn]

Welcome from the West Midlands of England.

[Richrail]

from Reno, NV

[tulloch]

Welcome from the highlands of Central Massachusetts.

[GMan]

Greetings from Colorado!

[Mike_Oettle]

Hi, 230Ball and welcome to X Marks from the bottom end of Africa.
Since you want a kilt for formal occasions, you will most likely be looking at a 16oz kilt of eight yards or perhaps a little less.
At the beginning of the 19th century, all kilts were made of four yards of material – Victorian show-offery saw the length grow through the century until the “standard” of eight yards was reached, but it is by no means completely compulsory.
As to colour style, it is a matter of personal choice. Have a look at all the colour variations available and decide for yourself what you like the most.
In formal wear, one generally would go for fairly bright and/or bold colours, whereas for other occasions softer shades are usually preferred.
Box pleats are enjoying a revival, but mostly in four-yard kilts. Eight-yarders are generally knife-pleated, although there is another kind of pleating that was traditionally used for the kilts of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, known as the military box pleat, which you might like the look of.
Take some time to look around at what is available, and to take advice here. There are many who are far more knowledgeable on the subject than I am.
Regards,
Mike

[rtown]

Hello and Welcome

[MinusHD]

Welcome from North Texas. I had a similar experience tracing my Scottish ancestry, which is neither very direct or recent. Regardless, I'm glad I'm in a kilt, and you'll find a lot of helpful folks here to advise you from the most traditional to the most experimental kilting sensibilities.