Just Hi and questions.

**Mark Keeney** · 25th August 06, 12:37 PM

I just joined this list because it seems to be more civilized than other lists.

I'm from Kansas City Missouri and have been wearing kilts for 3 years now. I have 5 UK's and 3 trade tartan kilts made by J Higgins is Kansas City.

I have a couple of questions that are totally unrelated to each other.

First I am not Scottish and I can't really tell by my last name because my great grandfather was adopted and given the adopted family name. Other side of the family went back several generations and never got out of the US. I would like a tartan that means something to me. I know blackwatch and Royal Stewart are supposed to be universal but that is the problem, it won't have a connection with me. My wife on the other hand is part Scottish and her last name was Rose. Is it unusual to use the tartan of your wifes family?

Second sometime summer or fall of 2007 I would like to take a trip to Scotland and I would like some ideas of places I shouldn't miss when there. It will probably be a one time deal and I don't want to find out about something after I return. Is Culloden field a good place to visit? Anything else? Can you tour woolen mills or weavers of tartan?

Thanks in advance,
Mark Keeney

**Kilted KT** · 25th August 06, 12:41 PM

to answer the questions...

1. I don't see any problem with wearing the wife's tartan. Wear it proudly!

2. Ask Pour1Malt about accomidations at his guesthouse in Dumfries. he has a great many pictorial tours of scottish castles and lands throughout the forum, and should be able to take very good care of you.

also, welcome to the rabble!!!

**jfellrath** · 25th August 06, 12:44 PM

I wear my wife's family tartan with pride.

And in So You're Going To Wear The Kilt by J. Charles Thompson, he mentions your wife's family tartan as a good reason to wear one in honor of her family. So there's absolutely nothing wrong with wearing it.

I personally would recommend Stirling as a must-see in Scotland. My wife and I both agreed that we could spend a week just in that area alone.

**Southern Breeze** · 25th August 06, 01:50 PM

Welcome to X-Marks and the addiction.

**turpin** · 25th August 06, 02:00 PM

Originally Posted by Mark Keney

I just joined this list because it seems to be more civilized than other lists.

You are right there. People here are serious about having fun kilting, and help each othere out with all sorts of related stuff. Welcome.

**Ialtog** · 25th August 06, 02:01 PM

I haven't made it to Scotland yet, either, so I can't give too much advice there. But I did want to chime in and say if you want to wear a tartan with a special meaning to you then - heck yes! Go with your wife's tartan. And keep digging into your families past. It can be a grind, but you would be surprised what can come up.

I was actually thinking of the Rose tartan myself, because of my brotherin-law. I'm very close to him and I would consider it an honor, and way to reinformce those bonds, wearing his tartan. You might want to look into District tartans as well, perhaps around where your wife's family originates. (That might even give you an idea of where to go when you visit Scotland. If I am not mistaken, the Roses were from around Elgin. I know some folks who went there and they said it was some of the most beautiful country side they have ever ambled through.)

US State tartans can be awfully hard to find, but that may be another avenue for you to explore. And if that is a bust I suppose you could always go for an X Marks tartan!

**andyfg** · 25th August 06, 02:03 PM

Welcome from upstate NY. Enjoy the list. If you do a search, you will see that there have been a number of threads about which tartan to wear. There are, of course, no fixed rules, but there is a lot of good advice.

**Macman** · 25th August 06, 04:23 PM

Welcome to the board, Mark. Yes, Culloden is a great place to visit. It has a visitors' center and is definitely worth going to. It brought shivers up my spine just walking around the battlefield. I would allow two hours or so to walk around the whole place, see the cairns, and watch the presentation. Within a few minutes drive are the Clava Cairns, so see them while you are there as well. Of course, you will want to go to Kilravock (pr. "Killrake") Castle, the seat of Clan Rose, which is also nearby. I don't think visitors are allowed in (check on that to make sure), but you can at least get a look at it. A little further, still in the vicinity, is Fort George. I spent a few hours there, and there is lots of history to see. Hope that helps.

billmcc · 25th August 06, 08:46 PM

Mark,

Welcome to X-Marks. I think wearing your wife's tartan is a good idea.

How do you like the kilts you bought from J. Higgins?

**mrpharr** · 25th August 06, 09:14 PM

I have a Craig Tank tartan as well as a Scots American Tank. I am planning on getting a Gordon, close relations with the Craig clan, a Kerr, from my mother's side of the family, as well as a Morrison, I have cousins that are of that clan. It is fun to go through family names and see what comes up. Do a little searching and make these names that are related to your own pride.
steve

p.s.
P1M is the Man when it comes to exploring his back yard (how do you get a job like that?! Great food, beautiful place to work and live, outstanding swill and fantastic countryside.