New Member From Wisconsin

**Henwen** · 9th February 16, 04:36 PM

Hello to everyone!

I have been wanting to find my family tartan for a long time, and I think I have found it, but may want to look into it further.

My husband called the National Records of Scotland today and talked to a wonderful lady who sent an email of ways that I can find my tartan. The" X Marks The Scot" link was given in the email!

My maiden name is Howatt. I came across another member wanting info on that name as well, but the thread has been closed.

I found out through Google searches that it is a variation of similar names.

My husband was also told by the National Records of Scotland that one can design their own family tartan, but I'm wondering if this would be difficult to do from the U.S.

I'm having a lot of fun finding all of these things out.

**Father Bill** · 9th February 16, 06:09 PM

Welcome to the "Great Rabble!"

**Cavalry Scout** · 9th February 16, 06:47 PM

Welcome from another brand new forum member! It's exciting to find such a warm welcome on the internet. I've been sort of lurking on XMTS for awhile, and it's impressive how civil the discourse is here. It's a pleasant change from so many web forums.

Mark

**The Wizard of BC** · 9th February 16, 07:04 PM

Hello and Welcome,

A quick check of the Scottish Register of Tartans and also The Scottish Tartans Authority give no results for the spelling "Howatt". Of course, as you have found, there may be other spellings.

And yes, designing your own Tartan is quite easy. There are websites which have Tartan design programs which you can use to easily design your Tartan. But, read the small print.

However, designing a Tartan can take just a few minutes but designing a good or good looking Tartan that will also make a good looking kilt is an art form. A quick glance though the registers will bear me out. There are some Tartans that, frankly, I would not walk on the same side of the street.

Registering is also a fairly simple process. You pay your fee and as long as your design is not the same as another already registered you get your certificate.

Now comes the painful part. Having fabric woven can be a very expensive process. Unless you are willing to commission a single kilt length of fabric most weaving mills have a minimum yardage requirement. This is not to sell more fabric but is the physical limitation of the loom. There must be enough yarn 'warpped' onto the loom to go from the rack beam all the way through the loom and wind onto the breast beam. That minimum is sometimes as little as 11 meters (or just less that 3 kilts) and as much as 65 meters at some mills. Having a custom Tartan woven is not for the faint of heart or for those on a tight budget.

I'm sure many of our members would offer advice and any help you may ask for.

**IsaacW** · 9th February 16, 08:16 PM

from a fellow Wisconsinite in the Western Uplands of WI!

**Plaid Draftsman** · 9th February 16, 09:43 PM

Milwaukee welcomes you to the rabble.

**ASinclair** · 9th February 16, 10:14 PM

**Dughlas mor** · 9th February 16, 10:14 PM

Welcome from the State of Washington.

**DyerStraits** · 9th February 16, 11:38 PM

A Warm Welcome From The Chicagoland Rabble!

**Steve Ashton** · 10th February 16, 12:44 AM

As a small side note - Did our members take notice of this quote from the OP -

"The" X Marks The Scot" link was given in the email!"

And this from The National Records of Scotland. If any member of this forum doubts that you have formed a community that is known, and respected, within Scotland itself, you need look no further for proof.

What you have all built, the respectful way that you treat each other, the honesty and forthrightness is noticed. Even at the highest levels.

Congratulations and thank you.