Help and advice on choosing a tartan

[Ayin McFye]

I would say get them all, but I am sure as a young man you probably do not have the disposable income to buy them all right away, I also think you are right to want tartans that you are connected to, so given your choices I would say to go for the MacLeod Dress Also known as Loud MacLeod, as it is readily available through USA Kilts. You can get the other tartans as your budget allows. You might want to do a search of the site to see what the various tartans look like, I know Panache, and Riverkilt both have the Loud MacLeod, while some may call it garish, I personally find that the Loud MacLeod grows on you to the point that it is on my short list of tartans to get.

I agree that the Loud MacLeod is tartan to get used to, but what better way to wear a kilt and proudly than by wearing the MOST NOTICABLE kilt available. PLUS you have a connection to it (which is not necessary, but always cool)

[Rampant Lion]

I really the Loud MacLeod tartan, which is strange because I don't like other tartans with yellows stripes. Weird, maybe it's because I have some MacLeod blood in me. Anyway, since you KNOW you have MacLead blood in you this would be your surest bet for wearing a clan tartan.
Personally, I don't think I'd buy the Loud MacLeod from USAK, just because the sett they have is slightly different than what is typically seen. However, as you can tell by the reviews on this site that USAK makes a damned good kilt for the money.
This picture is from the USAK site(notice the size of the center black square):


This is from the Lochcarron site and is what I've found to be the more common sett:


However, the MacGregor tartan is also one of my faves and could totally understand you wanting to get a kilt in the tartan.

The cool thing about either of the tartans is that they're easily recognizable. People will know you're a MacLeod/MacGregor.

[sirdaniel1975]

First off, I have ties to Cunningham, MacLeod of Raasay, and possibly MacGregor. I did some research and from one source found that the MacGregors adopted the name Cunningham. Is this true, and if it is is there anyway to tell if I am a MacGregor? I am also wondering if anyone has any information on MacLeod of Rasaay. My earliest (provable) relative is Malcom MacLeod Rasey, whos father was Malcom MacLeod. Malcom Rasey came to America in the 1670's. I know that for sure. Anyone know why he would have changed his surname to Rasey? Ok all that leads me to this. Which tartan would be the most cost effective/ appropriate to wear?
I can give a link to the Rasey genealogy as far back as I know it if that would help some one. I appreciate any and all help since I am very ignorant in this field.

I have not studied MacGregor history, although I have read W. H. Murray's book Rob Roy MacGregor a couple of times. If I recall, two common names that MacGregor's took were Murry/Murray & Campbell. Rob Roy himself went by Robert Campbell most of his life because the name Gregor was outlawed. His mother was a Campbell, if I'm not mistaken... Also, he himself signed his name differently many times. Ro: Campbell being a popular signature of his.

[James MacMillan]

(consider Bill Clinton).

I'd really rather not, thanks just the same!

But back to the subject - - -Pick a tartan by what you like to look at, then with a very little sleuting (sp?) or imagination you can come up with all the family ties that you want!

If you like the colors, have shirts and hose that go with the tartan - who cares?

[gilmore]

....-Pick a tartan by what you like to look at, then with a very little sleuting (sp?) or imagination you can come up with all the family ties that you want!...

In other words, invent a pack of lies?

[Archangel]

In other words, invent a pack of lies?

For those with a narrow morality, it would be a pack of lies. For any history student, the weight of probability would be sufficient, given the usual historical accuracy in these matters.

As Gilmore stated earlier, most traditions are created and then "became fact".

As to what clan tartan to wear, they were all invented well over 100 years after your forefathers came to the US, but if you don't want to wear one, there are always district tartans.

Keep in mind, clan is not heraldry. Bloodline is not the only entry into the family. Clan is based on blood, marriage, or "adoption". You'll get some argument on this, they're wrong. It's covered on other threads. In the historic times, clan was based on: you stand by me and mine, I'll stand by you and yours.

Here's the deal, if you have some hint of affinity with McGregors, or any other clan, embrace it. Some will say that you need the chief's permission but that's not really the case. The modern chief structure came after the clan period (back to Gilmore's point).

As a McGregor, I invite you to join me.

[James MacMillan]

In other words, invent a pack of lies?

Yes! That's exactly what I meant!

I am not a tartan bigot...... I wear what I like! If some clan chiefie wants to take my kilt, let him try!

[gilmore]

Yes! That's exactly what I meant!

I am not a tartan bigot...... I wear what I like! If some clan chiefie wants to take my kilt, let him try!

The problem with inventing a pack of lies is that some people take genealogy and such matters seriously, might actually believe him, pass on the story as truth until it becomes an accepted fact about his family, only to be overturned years later after much wasted research based upon it. Saying "I don't know" is acceptable. Intentionally lying isn't.

[James MacMillan]

Another note to self - - Remember to put smiley faces on posts, so people don't get all serious...............

[ccga3359]

Another note to self - - Remember to put smiley faces on posts, so people don't get all serious...............

You were serious?