Gow Kilt Pleating

[creagdhubh]

I'm just about to order my next one too which will either be Gow Modern or Hunting weathered. Those pics have been really useful to me guys, so thanks.

Anyone got any snaps of a Gow Hunting/Smith weathered kilt?

The Gow Hunting/Smith weathered is a smart looking tartan! A fine choice indeed.

[creagdhubh]

Hello Cooper,

thanks for your reply.
I often read about a connection of Smith with the MacFarlanes but couln't find any further information. Do you know more about it?

It might be not too easy to pleat it to the stripe but it is an attractive sett and rarely seen.
I suppose to sett would be ok for me also.
(My GF wants me to get a Macpherson Hunting ancient anyway...)

Pleating Smith can be difficult to because the sett is very large.
A change between red and yellow might be an attractive alternativ as shown in this thread...

http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f...options-71600/

I have a 5 yard Smith ancient with an adventurous pleating but very personal. Almost to sett.

Attachment 20675Attachment 20676

But I really like it

Tom

Tom,

One thing you have to remmeber is that almost every Highland Clan had their own "Smith." Typically, he was a highly regarded member of the clan, and quite important for obvious reasons (swordsmiths, blacksmiths, metalsmiths, etc). So with that being said, if one has the surname of Smith/Gow, or has a Smith/Gow connection within their family's genealogy in some fashion, the best thing to do is to figure out where in Scotland they actually came from, or originated from. Having geographic details such as this are crucial, and will make it all the more easier to determine plausible connections with a particluar Highland Clan in the region, or perhaps even a Lowland family, depending upon where in Scotland your Smith/Gow ancestors hailed from.

For me, my mother's surname was originally Gow, yet was anglicised to "Smith" during the late 19th century when her family emigrated to the US from Scotland. Her Scottish ancestors came from Badenoch, where traditionally the Smiths/Gows in that part of Scotland became associated with the Clan Chattan Confederation of Highland Clans, more specifically with the Clan Macpherson. This is one of the main reasons why you see the surname of Smith/Gow (in various forms) as an associated family/surname with the Clan Macpherson Association.

[creagdhubh]

Being a Smith myself, I've spent many hours pondering over the many tartan options that we are blessed with. Personally, I'm not too fond of the Gow tartans, due to the checkered pattern they possess and the fact that It's hard to pleat them to the stripe (Not a big fan of pleating to the sett). However, there's something about the colors that I find really intriging and actually quite pleasant.

Recently, MacPherson Modern (To the ? stripe) and Smith Ancient (To the red stripe), are at the top of my list. When I come up with the money, I'll most likely purchase one of the two. I'm in no way trying to persuade you to do one thing or another, but am merely just putting my personal thoughts and opinions out on the table. Whatever your decision, I definitely want to see some pics of your new addition (Bet I'm not the only one).

Cheers,

Cooper Smith

Are you referring to the Macpherson red-based tartan in modern colours? Or perhaps the Macpherson Hunting tartan in modern colours? As far as the red-based, clan tartan is concerned, I would either pleat to the double white line (see my example below), or the sett. As far as the hunting tartan is concerned, I would pleat to the red/blue line (see my example below), or the sett.

Red-based (in the modern colours from Lochcarron)


Hunting (in the ancient colours from Lochcarron)

[SoCalScotsman]

Are you referring to the Macpherson red-based tartan in modern colours? Or perhaps the Macpherson Hunting tartan in modern colours? As far as the red-based, clan tartan is concerned, I would either pleat to the double white line (see my example below), or the sett. As far as the hunting tartan is concerned, I would pleat to the red/blue line (see my example below), or the sett.

Red-based (in the modern colours from Lochcarron)


Hunting (in the ancient colours from Lochcarron)

Thanks a bunch for the great photos and useful info! I was referring to the red-based modern tartan, as I find the hunting to be a wee bit too pink. Don't get me wrong though, It's still a fabulous tartan. About the pleating on the Red MacPherson, I've only seen it pleated to the double white line, but am still curious about my other options. That is why I don't have my mind made up yet. Speaking of that, have you ever seen the tartan pleated to a different color stripe? Like I said before, I'm really not a big fan of pleating to the sett.

Cheers,

Cooper Smith

[ShaunMaxwell]

Unfortunately, I do not have any knowledge of a relationship between the MacFarlanes and Smiths. I can totally relate with you wanting to wear a tartan that is rarely seen and Gow definitely fits into that category perfectly. About pleating Smith to the stripe, I tagged you in an existing thread that shows it done wonderfully. It's not impossible and I'm actually very fond of it. On the other hand, I love the alternating pleating to the yellow and red stripe that is showed in the thread you posted a link to. Never would have thought of that. So thanks!




Just incase you have trouble finding the thread. Here are some of the pictures.

I thought that looked familiar! It's my Smith Ancient to the red stripe. Being a large sett, it makes for some deep pleats with lots of swing. I love it, but don't have as many opportunities to wear it as I'd like, given that I'm a convener for the Maxwell Society. (My late mother was a Smith, and I love the tartan...).

I'm also fond of the Gow and Chattan tartans, and look forward to seeing how your Gow kilt turns out!

Cheers,

SM

[Pleater]

I have some tartan fabric which has a small sett with red and yellow stripes and came to the conclusion that pleating to 'ketchup and mustard' was the best option as it increased the pleat depth so something decent and it looks good too.

Anne the Pleater :ootd:

[creagdhubh]

Speaking of that, have you ever seen the tartan pleated to a different color stripe? Like I said before, I'm really not a big fan of pleating to the sett.

No, I can't say that I have, mate.