Hunting Stewart Kilt in Reproduction Colours from D.C. Dalgliesh

[DyerStraits]

Gezz, Kyle! Pick a difficult topic, why don't you, man!
:-)

My primary claim to Highland lineage is through my farher's mother (Shaw).

My father's paternal line (Colbert [we pronounce the "t"]--we are not French and the French name is derrived from the Scottish one, not vice-versa) is earliest found in Galloway and the name is derrived from the name "Cuthbert." The name is also found in Ireland and England, it should be noted, but the earliest instances, even spelled the way that we spell it, are certainly found in Modern Scotland (it was the Kingdom of Northumbria then). There was no "Scot" land at the time but many peoples.

As you know I wear the Robertson Hunting tartan mainly. My maternal grandmother was a Robertson. I love the sett. It's gorgeous.

If I were to go back I'd maybe just the Shaw tartan and be done with it. I bought it during a time that I was researching my maternal geneology and was going through some deep, personal growth and the women in my life were strong anchors for me. The women in our family are all tough, independent, fiercely loyal, hearty women with whom one does not meddle unless at one's peril. They are have the blood of the Gael, the Cherokee, and the Normans coursing through their veins.

I was caught up in the romanticism of this then-unexplored lineage. Now that the emotion has calmed, I certainly don't have buyers' remourse, as it were, but feom time-to-time I do think about 'switching.' I am a bit cinflicted here but I think, in the end, I'm probably seriously over-thinking and should be grateful to be able to afford any kilt(s) at all.

I have a nice Holyrood that I've not worn since my Robertson arrived last year...

Do what thou wilt, friend of mine. You'll get no judgement from me.

(Apologies for the length, but it seemed necessary to help, my friend.)

Cuthbert was the middle name of William Faulkner (or Falkner, as it was originally spelled), Nobel Laureate and literary eldest son of Joyce, whose grave I will one day visit and sprinkle with top shelf Bourbon, and whose works I will lovingly revisit in my retirement years (you need that kind of free time to do it right). Looking for a really good summer novel? Try "Light In August" or "As I Lay Dying".

My patrilineal great-great grandmother was either Shawnee or Choctaw. My great-grandmother once spoke of her ritualistic noise-making and chanting at the approach of thunderstorms and how she would burn sage while praying as if it were incense. My Aunt Sarah was undoubtedly her clone--high cheekbones, silky hair, Asian eyelids and dark, piercing eyes, and unmistakably (and, for a predominantly African-American family, oddly) Native American speech inflection. She was an absolute Mama Bear--big, strong, resourceful, smart, fearless, generous and nuturing, with a lightening bolt sense of humor. Oh, and could she put away some beer. I was always too afraid to show her how much I loved and admired her because she also basically scared the crap out of me (this may at least partially explain the origins of ancestor worship). So, yeah, the Celtic-Native American intersection (as fellow X Marker Hawk and I have discussed) is unique and special, but ultimately, of course, aren't they all--especially with the mothers/wives/sisters/daughters/etc.?

"They don't make women like that anymore?" Or DO They?

[Manxstralian]

Well mate, besides being stunned, I'll add my two cents.

Giving it six months is good advice, but as someone with a few "superfluous" tattoos, maybe give it two years.... Just think, that kilt will be almost the price of a one way ticket to Scotland, and I know you visit every year or so. It is a beautiful tartan though, so if price is no object....

Ultimately, it's a universal sett, so no one could object, and I know you'll wear it with style, so (unfortunately) I think you'll have to decide this one on your own. I just can't see how often you'd wear it with all of your other fantastic kilts, to be quite frank (how often are you not representing your clan when in Highland attire?).

Cheers,

Cameron

[StevieR]

It is a lovely tartan, but I don't think it would get much use by you as a kilt mate. Why don't you get a waistcoat made up for the occasions you venture out with some saxon clobber on? Better still, just do what your missus is thinking and get that waistcoat in Dalgliesh's Hunting Robertson!

[TheOfficialBren]

Should you choose to start a family the wee bairns will have the benefit of Robertson AND MacPherson blood. Two of the most distinguished clans in Scottish history! A proud and noble lineage.

[MacGumerait]

Kyle , here's my two cents . Maybe it will help you ... maybe not .

I can relate to your struggle on this decision . I am a second generation American whose family came from Scotland . My paternal side is of course Montgomery and my maternal side is Glasson and Kelso .

I have Montgomery tartan kilts and one Black Watch ( as my family served in the regiment ). I have been kilted since 14 and I am now 57 . I was raised with my Scottish roots to the fore . I have a mental struggle on wearing another clan tartan even though the tartan may be universal .

Like yourself , I have been wanting a Stewart Hunting tartan kilt for quite some time . I've always liked the tartan in all of it's variations ... just haven't decided on which one I would pick .

I have finally come to the following conclusion :

1. I am going to have a Stewart Hunting tartan kilt made some day in the near future .

2. I may have it made in a 5 yd casual kilt in 16 oz wool . I am pretty much an 8 yd kind of guy , but because it's not my family tartan but rather a universal tartan , I will probably wear it for things like " kilt night " , etc.
Thus the 5 yd would keep the cost down .

3. For Highland Games , I will continue wear my Montgomery tartans .

To sum it up ... I have finally come to grips with a universal tartan and will wear it for casual occasions . Hope this helps .

To all the rabble , please understand , my decisions on wearing clan tartans is just my own personal choice . I have no problem with anyone's choice regarding tartans .

Cheers , Mike

[BCAC]

Buy it and wear it from time to time, Kyle.

It's a beautiful universal tartan. I wear my clan kilts almost exclusively but I have to admit to havin "cracked" for a beautiful universal tartan myself in the XMarks hunting (IOS) tartan. It doesn't get much wear (I prefer wear my clan kilts) but I do wear it from time to time. For me, the "having/owning" a beautiful kilt is as big a part of the package as is wearing said beautiful kilt.

[Calgacus]

Kyle, Kyle, Kyle! You could knock me down with a feather!

Personally, despite my 100% Scottish ancestry I struggle with which tartan to wear and so have opted for one that I find really beautiful . You, on the other hand have direct male lineage to that same beautiful tartan. Sure, that Hunting Stewart is lovely too, but are you really going to get the use out of it? Are your existing jackets, hose etc. going to work well with it? Go for it if you want to, but I can't help think that it'll end up in the back of the wardrobe before too long.

Why have burgers when you've got steak at home, as they say.

[Jock Scot]

I am reminded, in your situation, of the rather unhelpful observation that my Grand Father and father used to come up with in these situations. They would say; "Divorce need from necessity, laddie. You may want, like or even need something (in my case, a new gun, fishing rod, car, tractor, kilt, watch, hat, plough) but is it necessary?" Often and most annoyingly they were usually right , as the answer, more often than not, was "no" and over the years and after they have been long gone, they are STILL right. Dammit!

[Peter Crowe]

Kyle, Kyle, Kyle! You could knock me down with a feather!

Personally, despite my 100% Scottish ancestry I struggle with which tartan to wear and so have opted for one that I find really beautiful . You, on the other hand have direct male lineage to that same beautiful tartan. Sure, that Hunting Stewart is lovely too, but are you really going to get the use out of it? Are your existing jackets, hose etc. going to work well with it? Go for it if you want to, but I can't help think that it'll end up in the back of the wardrobe before too long.

Why have burgers when you've got steak at home, as they say.

I agree with the above Calgacus. I wear a Ross kilt through my English paternal grandfather (Crowe is a sept name of Ross) because of the whole patrilineal clan name convention, although I feel in many ways more connected to my Scottish maternal grandfather whose name was Peter Wilson (a sept name of Gunn).

If I were you, Kyle and as involved in MacPherson Clan affairs as you are, I would resist the temptation to 'pull the trigger' as beautiful as the Hunting Stewart weathered tartan is. That said I wouldn't think less of you for wearing any universal tartan, I just think it is a wee bittie superfluous

[English Bloke]

... I have little or no Scottish connection, but I do have an appreciation for Tartan...

Wise words Steve...

Kyle. Mee ol' mate... You don't need any assistance from a moral light-weight like me to help you justify your kilt acquisitions. Goodness knows I need no persuading... if it fits and the price is right, I'll buy it. However.

If I were YOU, and possessed your allegiances, I would like to think I could resist. Your staunch loyalty to your clan and kin is well known here. You'll enjoy your new Stewart kilt on the first couple of outings, but then something will nag you inside and I dare say you'll not feel right about it. That's when you'll be looking for a buyer who happens to be your size.

Don't. Much as I personally agree with the sentiments Steve expressed in this thread, I think in your case, once the novelty wears off and despite it's "universal" status, I don't think you'll enjoy wearing a Stewart kilt as much as you might think you will at the moment.

'S up to you though... Good luck with that one...