Should I or shouldn't I sell...

**Calgacus** · 22nd July 13, 05:42 AM

...my current kilts to help fund a new one?

Currently, I have two kilts, and old but still serviceable 13oz wool Hunting Mackenzie, as seen in my avatar, and a virtually new 16oz wool weathered MacPherson, as seen in this pic:-

IMAG0211.jpg

Problem is, the Mackenzie is really too small for me now, the outer apron doesn't quite meet the pleats any more, and it doesn't look right.

The Macpherson is a beautiful kilt, but neither my girlfriend nor my parents like it.

I don't have the funds to buy a new kilt right now, having recently bought a house, so I thought maybe I could sell some stuff to fund what I want, which would be a 16oz wool kilt in weathered Johnstone, which is my maternal tartan.

Lochcarron Strome 16oz Johnston Weathered.jpg

The advice I'd like is should I sell, and would this new kilt work with the rest of my existing outfit? Ignore the hose, they are easily replaced. I also have a Lovat green day jacket, and brown sporran & belt.

In addition to the two kilts, I also have 6 yards of double width (60") 13oz wool in Maclean of Duart Hunting that I once used when experimenting with a feileadh mor. This too would be for sale.

The new kilt would have to function as a 'tank', used for everything from weddings to hillwalking in the Scottish highlands.

Thanks!

**Father Bill** · 22nd July 13, 06:28 AM

Welcome to the "Great Rabble!"

You'll get a lot of opinions here, so brace yourself for a variety of thoughts. Mine? Well, the MacKenzie can likely been enlarged slightly. There are a lot of posts here about that, & the search engine is your friend.

As for both that and the MacPherson, if they're not your family tartans, then I'd see them as expendable. If they are and your people don't like them, then you need to ignor them or if not, then move out and get a new girlfriend. A man's tartan is his tartan. Period. Full stop. End of discussion.

Mind you, I'm a crabby old man, and my opinions probably won't match with those of many.

A single tank worn for both dress and hiking will show the wear of hiking when you're dressed to the nines.

What if you sold the one that's least your "own" and then save up for the rest? Piggy banks and time are also your friends.

Cheers & Blessings!

Bill+

**Calgacus** · 22nd July 13, 07:01 AM

Hi Bill,

Neither are family tartans, but the Johnstone would be.

I like the Mackenzie, and so does my girlfriend. It's too small now, though as you say maybe I could do something about that, and it's a bit too well worn to look smart enough for any sort of formal wear.

I like the Macpherson, but to be honest, I was sort of talked into it when I bought it. I have no particular affection for it.

Although I would walk in the new kilt, I am really quite careful with my clothing and it would probably not suffer too much. Also, to be quite honest, I'd probably wear it a lot more on the hills or just out and about than I would to formal occasions. There seem to be less and less events these days to wear a kilt formally, it can sit from one year to the next unused, which is why the Macpherson is as if it had just had its basting removed.

I suppose what I'm maybe saying is this:- Is it worth having a perfect kilt that my partner doesn't like, for the odd formal occasion, when I can trade it in for at least part of the funds for an attractive kilt in a meaningful tartan that I can hopefully wear a lot more often? The trade off, I won't have a perfect kilt for formal occasions. It'll be a little bit used and abused.

**sailortats** · 22nd July 13, 07:03 AM

[QUOTE A man's tartan is his tartan. Period. Full stop. End of discussion. QUOTE]

And Amen to that Father Bill

**Father Bill** · 22nd July 13, 07:13 AM

Okay then. Dump the one that isn't your family, and save up to make up the difference. It'll take some time, but oh, oh, oh... it's so well worth it!

**Domehead** · 22nd July 13, 08:17 AM

The MacPherson used to go by No. 43 and Kidd.

Some current weavers draw distinction between Kidd, Kidd Rock n' Wheel and MacPherson using distinctive thread counts and sett size / repeats in order to give every customer a named tartan of distinction. However, the Macpherson you are wearing did begin its named life as No.43. Perhaps you can continue enjoyment because originally, this "belonged" to no one?

This advice comes from a proud relative of a distinguished Kidd household. A Gentleman whom served bravely in defence of Crown & Country (WWII) and took care of my Great Granda following the passing of my Great Grandma & my Great Uncle, as well the necessary emigration of his only daughter, my Grandma.

Just a thought. By the by, Failte!

Slainte,
Domehead

**creagdhubh** · 22nd July 13, 10:10 AM

Originally Posted by Calgacus

The Macpherson is a beautiful kilt, but neither my girlfriend nor my parents like it.

Really?! What's not to like about this particular tartan? It's gorgeous! 16 ounce Strome, Macpherson Weathered by Lochcarron, I'm assuming.

Keep it mate!

Cheers,

**Pipersson** · 22nd July 13, 10:19 AM

@Kyle: Well spoken, cousin!

Tom

**freddie** · 22nd July 13, 01:50 PM

I've been in the same boat as you and sold a kilt to fund another and boy do I regret it now. Think long and hard about your decision.

**Calgacus** · 23rd July 13, 01:34 AM

Glad to see you are all in agreement!

Don't get me wrong Kyle, it's a beautiful kilt, I'm just not getting the use out of it that I might if it was another tartan, and you are of course spot on with identifying the cloth. Here's a closer look at it, it lends itself to being to the stripe, I think.

2013-07-22 20.11.48.jpg 2013-07-22 20.11.32.jpg

So ok, I think what I'll do for now is sell the big piece of Maclean tartan plus a few other old bits 'n' bobs, keep the Macpherson for formal occasions, keep the Mackenzie for walking the dog, and start saving. Could take a while!

I'd maybe sell the Mackenzie, but how much would I get for it?

Any thoughts on that?