A tartan among us

**corbmonster** · 2nd July 14, 10:13 PM

I realize this post is a couple months old, but it is nice to go back over old info and you learn something new because you've grown between then and now. Kinda like when you go back over your old chemistry notes (shudders, and is thankful he is not a chem major). The x-marks tartan is very attractive now that I've become (slightly) more familiar with with kilts. I'm surprised no one is making x-kilts, in the x-marks tartan, and selling them on x-mrk forum. Seems like if someone had time to kill and wanted to pick up a few $ it could be a good venture. I don't even know how one would have tartan fabric manufactured for them without talking to someone in Scotland I guess? Or someone in the textiles business.

**Mikilt** · 3rd July 14, 09:28 AM

Originally Posted by corbmonster

I realize this post is a couple months old, but it is nice to go back over old info and you learn something new because you've grown between then and now. Kinda like when you go back over your old chemistry notes (shudders, and is thankful he is not a chem major). The x-marks tartan is very attractive now that I've become (slightly) more familiar with with kilts. I'm surprised no one is making x-kilts, in the x-marks tartan, and selling them on x-mrk forum. Seems like if someone had time to kill and wanted to pick up a few $ it could be a good venture. I don't even know how one would have tartan fabric manufactured for them without talking to someone in Scotland I guess? Or someone in the textiles business.

Corbomonster,
The Xmarks tartan is available right here on the forum. http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f...-tartan-60763/

Also see here for how/why kilts are labor intensive and cost what they do. It's kind of a tough business.
http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f...e-kilts-28025/

**corbmonster** · 3rd July 14, 12:53 PM

Thank for the insight

**kilttrip** · 3rd July 14, 05:10 PM

Originally Posted by Steve Ashton

To any member of this forum.

Please keep in mind that X Marks has its own Tartan. It was designed specifically for X Marks and any member here may wear it with pride.

Designed by our own Matt Newsome, it is registered as the world's first Tartan specifically for an internet group.

This is your family Tartan.

That is one beautiful tartan, Steve. I would love to have a kilt made from it. Any chance you could get a 'group rate' from a kiltmaker so any member who wanted one could get a discount?

**Steve Ashton** · 3rd July 14, 05:56 PM

I'm not sure what you mean by 'group rate'. The fabric I have on hand is priced at the same that it cost to have it woven plus only a 10% handling fee. It is already as inexpensive as I can make it.

**Manxstralian** · 4th July 14, 12:33 AM

Originally Posted by Mike_Oettle

While Black Watch is associated with the Royal Regiment of Scotland, and with the Canadian regiment affliliated to it, it is a regimental tartan. But even in its military use, it has been worn by other regiments (notably the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders in both Scotland and Canada).

It's also the "school tartan" of Scotch College here in Melbourne, plus I saw a gaggle of schoolgirls the other day all in Black Watch skirts, so it's fair to say that outside Scotland it's fairly universal (I say "outside Scotland" because Jock Scot recently stated that within Scotland it's more appropriate for those who have served with the regiment). Having said that, I wore a Black Watch kilt in Scotland with no negative comments.

Cheers,

Cameron

**dea3369** · 16th July 14, 04:48 AM

Originally Posted by corbmonster

I'm surprised no one is making x-kilts, in the x-marks tartan, and selling them on x-mrk forum.

As someone who started making kilts using the X-Kilt instructions and graduated to trying his hand at following Barbara Tewksbury's directions in her book, I will say that making an X-Kilt out of the X-Marks tartan would be a poor choice. If I were to buy high-end fabric, which the X-Marks fabric is, then I'll go ahead and go make a "tank" with it. Making an X-Kilt with it would be like taking a fine single highland malt and using it to make some fruity foo-foo mixed drink.

Dennis

**Ron Abbott** · 16th July 14, 05:17 AM

I'll wear whatever tartan I happen to like.
The whole thing about tartans should only being worn by specified clans etc. is a complete nonsense as far as I am concerned. Wear what you want.

In fact, I've never even had a kilt in the McNab.

Needless-to-say I'm not talking about those which are for specific individuals or whatever (personal tartans).....in fact there is a MacKay tartan that is a personal tartan and by coincidence was a gift to the father of a very good friend of mine when he retired some years years ago. It is registered as such.

**Grizzly** · 16th July 14, 07:03 AM

I may have missed it and apologies if it was posted earlier but what about Isle of Skye, aka XMarks Hunting tartan, that is a tartan available to anyone and arguably one of the nicest if not the nicest tartan there is.

**Grae** · 16th July 14, 11:29 PM

A traditional tartan worn by people who did not belong to a Clan, especially in the borders / lowlands was the Shepherds Check. I am surprised this is not promoted as much as other universal and new designed tartans . It is also seen as Shepherds check, burns check (a variation) and Northumberland. Predominantly black and white but very traditional and authentic ( remember the Falkirk Tartan?).

I was reminded of this when reading of a fellow from Galloway who in his University days in the 1930's stated wore the Shepherd check kilt, even when he went to the highlands. I guess that was before the onset of new designs for all the districts (e.g. Galloway red and green both attractive and I think designed in the 1930's ). An added bonus is at the moment that check is now all the rage in fashion circles.