How my tartan taste has changed

**EBlackall** · 7th May 08, 05:43 PM

Started with the Utilikilts myself. Got about 15 of them now. Just graduated to a USA Kilts semi-trad in US Army tartan and it feels darn good. The Army has been my family for 24 years now.

Now I gotta get myself into a tank...

Aberdeenshire, Cummings, McNab, etc...

When will it ever end!

**Ealisaid** · 7th May 08, 06:41 PM

I started with Utilikilts, which I love and wear a lot. But I discovered really ancient connections with MacAlpin and MacDonald ancestors. The fact that the links are ancient has not made my interest in these clans any less, and I am happy and proud to wear their tartans. I also have a new interest in Scottish history and culture (including those bands who bang on battle drums and blast away on pipes!!)

I don't want to wear any other family tartans at this time. But I love tartans! They are endlessly fascinating and beautiful. So I am glad that people continue designing them-- California, Rocky's German-American friendship tartan, that beautiful Capercaillie sett... all are candidates for when I save up enough for the next beauty. But I need a sense of connection. I think that's a good thing for me as my budget is limited.

**Ryan Ross** · 7th May 08, 07:12 PM

I was never too big a fan of solid coloured kilts, when I first started going kilted... in fact, I was almost opposed to them.

Fast forward about 6 years, and I know exactly what I want my next kilt to be (other than the kilt I plan to have made out of this old Red Ross piper's plaid)- a four yard box pleated affair in a solid rust or grey Harris tweed! Interesting how times will change a person's taste in kilts!

**Bugbear** · 7th May 08, 07:19 PM

Glad you are able to find a stratigy and meaning to picking the tartans you wear, Alan.

**CameronTaylor** · 7th May 08, 11:28 PM

So I don't have to drag my HBC tartan up to Devil's Canyon later this month ?

CT -

**SFCRick** · 8th May 08, 01:27 AM

great story

**Arlen** · 8th May 08, 04:49 AM

1st: Alan, your feelings are totally valid and you've went about it all in a nice and polite and personal way. Good for you!

2nd: The Capercaillie tartan is absolutely beautiful. I plan to get a kilt in it one day.

3rd: How about this pin?

Or this:

**Colin** · 8th May 08, 09:11 AM

Alan, If you have some French-Canadian background, than you already have a connection to the Hudson Bay tartan. Not only does Quebec border Hudson Bay, but a lot of Canada's history include both French Canadians and the Hudson Bay. If you can date the French Canadian side back to 1600 something, than it is highly unlikely that your ancestors were not touched by the HBC in someway.

See if you can find a copy of Great Scots! by Matthew Shaw. I only have the one copy or I would send you mine.

As for tartan taste changes, I first ordered a Black Watch because they kiltmaker had a limited supply of 12 tartans. In hind sight I would have gotten Maple Leaf. I than went with Family tartan. I was going to buy an Isle of Skye kilt a few years back, but held off. Seeing how many have been ordered since, I regret not getting on, but than I don't.

I am more of a fan of the weathered and ancient tartans than the modern colours now and prefer the kilt to be part of the outfit not a glowing beacon. I usually stand out anyway and don't need to add the extra calling card. I really like the grey tartans that have been coming out lately.

**A Hay** · 8th May 08, 09:39 AM

Thanks to Alan H. and all others who have contributed to this interesting thread.

With Riverkilt and some others some of their kilts for various reasons, I too have been giving some thought to parting with some of the 13 kilts I have accumulated in the last 3 years. Some of them I don't wear but once or twice a year. But each of them was bought for a reason. Either a connection to an event, or memory or because I just like the tartan (I'm partial to reds, but my most recent is the Holyrood and it is wonderful).

So I guess I share feelings from both Alan and Hamish. And while I would like to give some of my kilts more opportunities to be worn, maybe by someone else, I think I'll hold on to all of them for awhile.

Sorry guys.

Best regards to all.

Tom

**Kent Frazier** · 8th May 08, 10:12 AM

This is a very interesting thread! I'm just starting out and I currently own three kilts. A SWK Black Watch and Saffron and a Sport Kilt Fraser-Hunting. All have been purchased with my heritage in mind. I've read that some of the earliest members of the Black Watch were Frasers, and I have at least one who was born in Ireland.

That being said, I am beginning to feel more like Hamish. I wouldn't buy a pair of pants based only on Heritage, so why should I limit myself when buying kilts.