Family heirlooms

[Stratherrick]

Does any of your kilting stuff qualify as family heirlooms?

My great-grandfather's gold watch and chain is the only thing that I have that would make the mark, coming as it does from the 1890s.

Looking forward, do you intend to hand anything on in an heirloomy sorta way, either to male or female relatives?

How about you?

Slainte

Bruce

[KFCarter]

I expect my sons (and theirs) to own my traditional kilts and I have planned to commission a very special Sgain Dubh with the intention of it being an heirloom piece. But I suspect some of my daily kilt kit will be of meaning to my family after I'm gone.

I think some things have heirloom quality intrinsically and other, more mundane things, acquire heirloom quality through use and association. For example, I have a small, silver pocket watch that belonged to my great-grandfather and it's certainly an heirloom-quality piece. On the other hand, another prized heirloom in our family is a simple cane that belonged to my great-uncle. He was considered by everyone as our "Patriarch" and although he was a man of considerable means, he was a man of simple tastes. The cane that he used for his last decade or so wouldn't be picked out as anything special by a stranger, but to our family it is priceless because the way he carried it (and it carried him) became inextricably identified with him and his personality. In that vein, my daughter has already made such a strong identification between me and my brown leather daywear sporran ("daddy's purse") that I will single it out for her knowing that she has invested deep meaning in it. It will certainly be an heirloom in her eyes.

[Stratherrick]

KFC

My own pewter whisky flask is fast becoming heirloomy in look. It's only 10 years old, but it's taken a few knocks and looks better as it ages. As for my one and only kilt, if my oldest, by blood a Fraser, doesn't want it (as I suspect) then I might just give leave it to his younger, already kilt-wearing, step-brother!

Slainte

Bruce

[vmac3205]

Captmac has his Grandad's broadsword, his brooch and his sporan, but most importantly, the brooch he gave me as an engagement present has been passed down for hindreds of years. We have no idea how long.

[piperdbh]

All of my kit has been new-bought by me, but if and when the Mrs. and I have any bairns, I plan to pass my things down to them.

[Jock Scot]

I get immense pleasure from wearing my Great Grand father's gold watch chain, with my Grand father's gold Rolex pocket watch, my Grand father's 1913 Gordon Highlander's silver kilt pin, my father's silver cuff links and silver collar stiffeners(stays). The marching compass was given to my grandfather in 1914 as he went to France, by his father--it still works well and I use it today.

[thescot]

Wew, jock, you always show us up. What a great collection.

I am in the process of commissioning a sporran from janet Eagelton that I intend to be an heirloom. I told her that I wanted one that my grandsons would be wearing after I am long gone. It will be a brown day sporran similar to the one the Duke of Rothsay wears often.

[Arlen]

Unfortunately we only have one heirloom in my family; A pocket watch from long, long ago that is inscribed to 'William Donald' and always passed down to the eldest of that name in the family.
My Grandfather was William and, as traditional, named his first son after his father, so my Dad is Andrew. His younger brother was William and got the watch. He was a lot older when he had his son and when he passed on my aunt took care of the watch for Wee William.
It's a wonderful piece and well worth the family care of it.

I know that one thing which will be passed down from me is the Sterling Silver Clan brooch I bought for Diane when we were married. (And possibly the Luckenbooth I got her when we got engaged.)

I often think I'll make a few things for the purpose of passing down but it's a ways off yet and they'll not be as wonderful as CaptMac's or Jock Scot's heirlooms.

[Jock Scot]

Unfortunately we only have one heirloom in my family; A pocket watch from long, long ago that is inscribed to 'William Donald' and always passed down to the eldest of that name in the family.
My Grandfather was William and, as traditional, named his first son after his father, so my Dad is Andrew. His younger brother was William and got the watch. He was a lot older when he had his son and when he passed on my aunt took care of the watch for Wee William.
It's a wonderful piece and well worth the family care of it.

I know that one thing which will be passed down from me is the Sterling Silver Clan brooch I bought for Diane when we were married. (And possibly the Luckenbooth I got her when we got engaged.)

I often think I'll make a few things for the purpose of passing down but it's a ways off yet and they'll not be as wonderful as CaptMac's or Jock Scot's heirlooms.

Arlen, you are so wrong! In the nicest possible way!Yes, I am so lucky with all the things that my ancestors have left, some nice and some not so nice, but that is another story! Heirlooms have to start somewhere and they don't have to be made of precious metals either, one of the most precious things,to me, is my Grand Father's leather cartridge bag. Nothing grand,very beaten up, but I get huge pleasure, unmeasurable actually, when I sit in my grouse butt, with the bag, knowing he was THERE, all those years ago, as was my father and they both enjoyed the same view as I see. Do I believe in ghosts ? Well no, but I can almost, almost, see their faces and hear their voices, I find it very comforting. I am rambling, sorry.

So, to all of you out there, look after those wee things that one day a great grand child will enjoy and yes they really will smile and under their breath they will say, not often perhaps, "thanks grandad!"

[JolyStNicholas]

Me family, though strong in Scot heritage were not in the tradition of passing family heirlooms. So me family kilt and Fly Plaid, that I had made in the Seton Modern will be the first to be started down that path with me son. Hopefully it will travel for many generations into the future as a "Family Heirloom"