Dutch Mackay Tartan Kilt in Catholic church??

[Leo-v]

Hello all.

Im really hoping someone can help me out.

My Mother is Scottish and my Father is Dutch making me half and half. I have lived in Scotland all my life with pretty much no connections to Holland at all. So I'm pretty much through and through Scottish but I carry a Dutch second name.
I consider myself to have no religion.

I am getting married next year to my beautiful Irish fiancé in Ireland. Her family background is catholic but not full on. We will be getting married in a Catholic church.


My question to the forum is. I plan on wearing the Dutch Mackay Tartan Kilt at my wedding. I have no knowledge on the history if the Tartan but would it offend anyone catholic?? Is it linked with anything? With regards to Orangemen? Ulster? Prodistant? I have no idea on these things but know its sensitive. I just want to wear a Dutch Tartan because I'm half Scottish half Dutch?? Please help??


Cheers Leo

[Jock Scot]

Welcome, from Inverness-shire.

You are quite right to do your research and be aware of possible sensitivities, but in truth I think you are over-thinking this. No doubt you have consulted your bride to be and no doubt she will have consulted with her family. But when all said and done whatever you might wear, you are(warts 'n all!) who you are and your bride is happy with that and you are getting married in Ireland so the Irish connections(family and church) are willing to partake in the event , so wear your tartan.

To be absolutely frank, I doubt that anyone will even know what a Dutch Mackay tartan is, so to be on the safe side, if you feel happier to keep a slightly lower profile------that is a tad difficult for the groom----------, it is still a Mackay tartan so there is no need to elaborate. Good luck laddie.

[Downunder Kilt]

Welcome to the forum Leo V. Having searched for the Dutch Mackay Tartan on the net, I can only find it being woven by Strathmore woollen mills in 11oz weave (not that suitable for a kilt) otherwise it looks to be a special weave from D C Dalgliesh which will cost in the area of US800. There have been threads in the past re the Dutch Friendship Tartan that you may want to have a look at (here is one) http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f...-colors-35613/ I am sure there are others. Good luck with the hunt for a suitable tartan and I wouldn't worry too much that it will be seen as a religious statement when you get married.

[John_Carrick]

Highland dress is often worn at weddings across the whole of Ireland. People with Ulster Scots heritage in the North of Ireland may be a bit more knowledgeable about tartans but often limited to their own. Generally little is known about tartans here, but people will be pleased to see highland dress. Good luck with your plans.
John

[tulloch]

Welcome from the highlands of Central Massachusetts. I am certain that your wearing a kilt will not worry anyone in the Catholic church. Please post photos of the event!

[davidg]

As you consider yourself Scottish and you are marrying in a Roman Catholic Church I wonder whether you have considered wearing the St Ninian tartan, recently commissioned by Cardinal O'Brien in Scotland in honour of the Pope's visit here last year?

Not that your Dutch MacKay would offend anyone

[Father Bill]

Anything you do will offend somebody somewhere sometime... but what you're doing should be okay if people around you are intelligent.

As an example, my round flask has a Celtic cross on it. One woman ignorantly and in shock told me that it was only for Holy Water. I assured her that I had bought it in Inverness in a store selling Scotch Whisky and flasks, that what was in it truly was Holy Water, (Laphroaig, for pity's sake!) and that as a priest, if I bless the water, that's what makes it holy. She still insisted it was only for Holy Water. You can't legislate intelligence.,

And the formula for holy water, by the way? It's H₂Oly.

[McClef]

I wore my County Antrim kilt in the Republic (which has orange stripes in it) when on a tour with my choir a couple of years back and got nothing but compliments.

Fr Bill how can dihydrogen monoxide be holy?

[Father Bill]

Fr Bill how can dihydrogen monoxide be holy?

Just depends on where you put the comma when you say it!

[ctbuchanan]

My family is Catholic although my mother was Church of Scotland. We have worn our kilts to every imaginable Catholic liturgy without hesitation. There are many Catholics in Scotland and the Irish embrace the kilt nowadays so I don't see any problem. It's your wedding and so long as your bride is for it, naught other matters now does it. Congratulations also by the way.