stuck choosing a tartan

[ShaunMaxwell]

Personally, were I a Wilson, I'd stick with the Wilson tartan. Of the options, I much prefer the ancient colors.

Cheers,

SM

[kiltedtom]

Sean,

Indeed some, like me, will tell you to wear whichever you like. I recently discovered that I have some Scottish ancestors on my father's side, though I do not know which clan and his namesake is from Wales. My maternal great- grandmother was a Graham. I have blood cousins who are McKenzies, and another married a Ramsey. I like all three of the tartans that I know. But now I am wearing a universal tartan, Celtic Nations from USAKilts. (And I love it!)

As you have a Scottish surname, and your clan is associated with the Gunn clan, and you have permission to wear the Gunn tartan, go now with whichever you like. And eventually get them all! Personally I love the Gunn modern, and Wilson ancient comes in second for me.

By the way, welcome to the great rabble from Central Indiana. And, more importantly, congratulations to you and your wife on your recent wedding. I hope you both have many, many happy years ahead of you.

In the mean time, happy holidays to you both.

Tom

[Blupiper]

Welcome, Sean. As another familial Wilson, I went through the same choice questions you have. I have a Gunn modern heavyweight, simply because I liked the tartan the best of all the choices--although that Gunn weathered is moving up in my opinion. I also have two district tartan middleweights which connect through other family opportunities. I say the same as everyone else: If you're going to lay out a significant amount of cash for a heavyweight kilt, go for what you like. Not even necessarily Gunn or Wilson in all their permutations. You will be the one who wears it (proudly, of course) and you will need to love it (the tartan) from the get-go. There's my two cents. Good luck.

JMB

PS-from your photo in the initial post--I have the same outfit! Minus the lovely bride, of course.

[Jock Scot]

I note that you come from the UK and live in the UK which does have a certain relevance to what you might decide. As I understand it your surname is Wilson and generally speaking it would be expected that you would wear a Wilson tartan, particularly in the UK. You need to be aware that those from outwith these shores, particularly from the US are not necessarily too bothered which tartan they wear, there are notable exceptions though, whereas in the UK these matters are thought of rather more seriously.

Just saying.

[RectaPete]

from another Yorkshire kiltie! My surname, Fletcher, is a sept of McGregor as well as a clan in its own right. While I'm not an "official" McGregor yet, I'm still proud of my clan and if Fletcher tartan is not avaliable in a certain product I plump for McGregor. One day I'd love to own a wool kilt in the Fletcher tartan and it's on my bucket list. I think you should wear your Gunn with pride while saving up for a wool Wilson (I like the modern tartan myself).

[sailortats]

[QUOTE but my wife likes this one the best.[/QUOTE]

Then I would say your problem is solved. It's no longer your choice.

[OC Richard]

My favourite is Wilson, especially in the Muted Colours.

My reasons:

1) Wilson (at least over here) is seen very rarely and it's cool to see rare tartans make a show

2) Wilson is a more attractive design, with more attractive colours IMHO

3) there is a recent "fashion" tartan called Flower Of Scotland which is nearly identical to Gunn. Especially if you get a kilt in Gunn Ancient, most tartan-spotters will think you're wearing Flower Of Scotland.

4) the House Of Edgar "muted" range is exceptionally lovely and isn't seen as often as Modern, Ancient, or Weathered colours.

5) Wilson is your name

So for me it wouldn't be much of a conundrum, it would be Wilson Muted.

I'm usually not a fan of "ancient" tartans with their burnt-orange, but this Wilson Ancient kilt is lovely!

http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f...scotweb-45511/

[Dughlas mor]

Speaking as someone with no Scottish blood at all, I say go with Wilson. It`s who you are!

[figheadair]

As both tartans were designed by Wilsons of Bannockburn and woven by them c1780 - 1840 I strongly recommend you consider having either woven in Wilsons' shades. I have samples of both I wove some years ago and will post when time, and daylight, allows.

[Sean Wilson]

I'd like to say thank you to everyone for taking their time to give me an opinion. All of which have sound logic to me. I also posed the same question to two other groups which I am a member (Gunn and Scottish Clans and Families) just to see if there was any variance in thinking.

The results were interesting.

Clan Gunn unsurprisingly voted 47 to 3 in favour of the Clan tartan

Scots Clans & Families voted 77 to 26 in favour of the Clan tartan

XMTS (I think I have added your opinions correctly) 3 would plump for the Clan tartan first and 10 would go for the family tartan

OVERALL SCORE: Clan = 127... Family = 39

but still undecided LOL...