Some interesting reading here Jock thanks for starting this one up. I daresay I'm a wee bit different than some on the forum, as my connections to the old country are rather strong, both parents having been born there. Nonetheless I am a Canadian, and proud to be one, I therefore have a Maple Leaf tartan to celebrate that. My wife is from the great state of North Carolina I therefore also have the Carolina tartan, though I originally got that one as I really did like the colours.

I think in 100 years time it would be nice to see the kilt more excepted by the general population; however I think you will still see just as many Black Watch and Royal Stewart kilts as you see today for example. There are of course many lovely tartans that are not Clan Tartans however as others have said many people who want to wear a kilt in the first place are looking for that clan connection tenuous or not. It is my belief that kilt wearers whether they have a clan connection or not will continue this trend and wear clan tartans, of course some will wear both clan and district or universal tartans and really what is wrong with that when there are over 4000 registered tartans and more being designed everyday? Most Scots I've talked to are only too happy to have you wear their tartan.

Now to the question of special weaves, to me the cost of a special weave was not a concern at all in fact getting the DC Daglish cloth for the Royal Naval Association kilt was no more expensive than any other kilt I own, perhaps dealing directly with the kilt maker was the reason. I think if someone truly wants a specific tartan then the special weave cost will not deter them in the least, it may cause them to save a wee bit longer but that's all.