Hunting Stewart Kilt in Reproduction Colours from D.C. Dalgliesh

[BCAC]

One additional point , if I may.
In my opinion, it is well worth waiting for something unique and wonderful. I waited over two years for a custom sgian dubh from Rab Gordon at Rainnea.

No one who has ever seen it would confuse it with the typical hire shop gear.

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Do you think that if Kyle gives in to temptation and buys his much wanted Hunting Stewart kilt, that someone will confuse it with hire shop gear?

Even if he does do this thing (that you all seem to think is sacrilege, bearing in mind that there was a time when "clan" tartans did not even exist) I'm sure that he will have it hand made by a top notch kiltmaker and nobody will think that he's hired it!

[OC Richard]

I just can't get over how attracted I am to the Hunting Stewart tartan in the reproduction colours from D.C. Dalgliesh (heavyweight stock tartan). Do you think it's perfectly acceptable... to wear a tartan other than his own clan?

We forget that tartans were originally purely decorative, and to love and wear a tartan for its beauty alone is far more aboriginally Highland and Gaelic than the modern notion of 'clan tartans'.

Your ancestors of the pre-proscription days wore any design that struck their fancy, and wouldn't have hesitated to wear a lovely green and brown tartan if they liked the look of it. The idea that a plaid pattern had a name would have seemed kooky, like a person today who named their various trousers or socks. (Now naming one's sword, that's another matter!)

"Wear it!" I say.

[KD Burke]

Do you think that if Kyle gives in to temptation and buys his much wanted Hunting Stewart kilt, that someone will confuse it with hire shop gear?

Even if he does do this thing (that you all seem to think is sacrilege, bearing in mind that there was a time when "clan" tartans did not even exist) I'm sure that he will have it hand made by a top notch kiltmaker and nobody will think that he's hired it!

I both own, and wear, universal tartans. It is not in any way sacrilege to me!

Kyle, on the other hand, has often expressed his preference for MacPherson (occasionally Chattan) connections. While I do not necessarily share his view, I recognize his right to it and would not dream of challenging him on it.

If someone holds a strong personal view, it I unlikely to be changed by the urgings of others, regardless of how well-intentioned. For evidence I point to the many people who vote for whichever party you oppose. Their beliefs are unlikely to be swayed regardless of how well-reasoned or persuasive your arguments may be.

Given that Kyle has expressed such views in the past, and such opinions rarely change, it stands to reason that if he were to purchase a kilt in Hunting Stewart that he would wear it less frequently than those with the family connection that he cherishes.

As to the "hire shop" line, it referred to a single, unique item. Something not quite like anything else, anywhere. Such items have a value above their monetary price due to their individuality. I used my sgian as an example and expressed my opinion that such items are worth waiting for. No other meanings were implied.
I've seen enough of Kyle's Posts to know that he always goes top-drawer. Any kilt that he buys will no doubt be superb. But if it is in Hunting Stewart, or any other stock tartan, it will not be unique.

[Ron Abbott]

I've always thought the Hunting Stewart in modern colours was a dull, dreary looking tartan, although I have to say that I do like it in reproduction/weathered colours.

In modern colours it was a frequently used tartan by the kilt rental companies and it brings back memories of those wearing it at weddings with their ghillie brogue laces wrapped round their legs in Roman legionary 'fashion'.

I had to wear it in a pipe band for a short while and was glad when the band changed tartan, even it was to Royal Stewart!

[Geoff Withnell]

"They don't make women like that anymore?" Or DO They?

You obviously have not met my wife and daughters. They most certainly DO!

[mookien]

Kyle: Go for it! IMHO, "it's perfectly acceptable for an individual ... to wear a tartan other than his own clan." There's nothing wrong with letting the appeal of a particular tartan override the notion that one can only wear a tiny subset of tartans.

But, as I'm sure you know, I am down somewhere on the other end of the spectrum of loyalty to a particular tartan. To me kilts are clothing, wonderful clothing but clothing nonetheless (PERIOD)
May you enjoy continued happy kilting, whichever path you choose to take.

John

[BCAC]

I both own, and wear, universal tartans. It is not in any way sacrilege to me!

Quote snipped to save space.

I've seen enough of Kyle's Posts to know that he always goes top-drawer. Any kilt that he buys will no doubt be superb. But if it is in Hunting Stewart, or any other stock tartan, it will not be unique.

For sure the the tartan will not be unique. No tartan will be unless you design one and register it as exclusive to your own self.

His kilt could be unique. I'm fortunate to use a master kiltmaker that makes every kilt that he makes unique for the customer, regardless of the tartan used. Which is just one of his numerous talents!

[KD Burke]

His kilt could be unique. I'm fortunate to use a master kiltmaker that makes every kilt that he makes unique for the customer, regardless of the tartan used. Which is just one of his numerous talents!

It is a truism that no two kilts are identical. Even in machine sewn kilts the stitching will not be identical from one to the next. In that sense they are as unique as fingerprints....we all have them.

[creagdhubh]

Kyle, what about a MacPherson sett in weathered colours? Surely one of the weavers does this? MacPherson tartans are in high demand.

I have thought of that; however, I already own a Macpherson kilt in reproduction colours from D.C. Dalgliesh, which is somewhat similar to Lochcarron's weathered colour scheme.

[S Mitchell]

Well, it's never a bad idea to sit and wait awhile before making a decision.

I can't really offer much advice because I'm torn in the same way. As a Mitchell, I don't have nearly the family connection you do and I'm also aware my family's tartan is shared with other surnames and was arbitrarily assigned as Mitchell less than 70 years ago, but . . .

The question I get asked the most often, after, Are you Scottish? is variations of Is that your family's tartan?

It always feels good and right to answer yes.

So, I haven't been able to pull the trigger on any other tartans, but I'm still debating.

Anyhow, one trick I've used to make up my mind when I just can't choose, is a modified coin flip. I flip a coin and gauge my reaction to the results.

If I'm happy with the results, I go with that choice.

However, if my initial inclination is to try again, I go with the other choice!