How Did You Select Your First Kilt?

**CollinMacD** · 31st July 18, 05:57 AM

Mine was my Family Linage, MacDonald Clanranald. I was fortunate as I was already familiar with my family Tartan and my grandfather had his Kilt from the turn of the 19th Century he got when he turned 18 years old. However, I felt it very important to obtain my Military Service Tartan on a kilt and just got a beautiful US Coast Guard 16 Ounce Kilt, that allowed me to join Scottish American Military Society (SAMS), and participate with them on ceremonies in the Washington DC area. Just recently, my wife wanted something different besides the Clanranald tartans, so sine my entire Father's side of my family comes from Nova Scotia, she got the Nova Scotia Provincial Tartan on a skirt and sash.

There a tartans for Law Enforcement, Firefighters, and even Dentists. You have many options, including if you have the resources you can design your own and register it.... There is no real rule, if you like a certain family tartan, wear it, you don't have to be related to that clan, but normally that is the case, but no hardfast rules apply. Many universal or fashion tartans to choose from too.

Tartan is the easy part, next part is making sure you get and wear the correct and proper accessories. You will find much talk about white hose, correct or not, the correct sporran, when to wear a dirk, never wear a belt with a waistcoast, and on and on. This is the best place you can find to get correct information from some of the most well informed people in the Scottish world.

Best of luck and let us know what you choose. Getting the Navy and Army good choices...

**Father Bill** · 31st July 18, 06:07 AM

My first was a Clergy Tartan for reasons that may or may not be obvious. I've since sold it to another XMarker since I'm wearing my Sinclairs to just about everything but... occasionally I regret letting it go.

**plaid preacher** · 31st July 18, 06:14 AM

My first kilt was a tank in Lamont tartan. My grandmother was a Lamont and I bear the name as my middle name. It was what I consider my family tartan.

If you are a scotch fan, are you aware that there is a scotch whiskey tartan? USA Kilts posted it on their Facebook page a couple of days ago for Scotch Day. I think it is quite striking.

**Manu** · 31st July 18, 06:16 AM

My first one was a Black Stewart. I chose it because it was one of four tartans offered by Stillwater about 14 years ago! It was the one I liked the best. The one in my closet now is Ireland's National, which I chose because my wife and I'm about to pull the trigger on a County Cavan tartan because that is where her grandfather came from after WWII. Next on the list will be the Marine Dress Blue tartan for my service in the Corps.

**Jock Scot** · 31st July 18, 06:21 AM

Originally Posted by Manu

My first one was a Black Stewart. I chose it because it was one of four tartans offered by Stillwater about 14 years ago! It was the one I liked the best. The one in my closet now is Ireland's National, which I chose because my wife and I'm about to pull the trigger on a County Cavan tartan because that is where her grandfather came from after WWII. Next on the list will be the Marine Dress Blue tartan for my service in the Corps.

Simple. Its my Clan tartan, job done. I will wear no other.

**Manu** · 31st July 18, 06:29 AM

Double post

**Jock Scot** · 31st July 18, 06:33 AM

Originally Posted by Manu

Well, the Marine Corps is my clan, biggest and baddest clan there ever was

The other two my wife loves.

Well alright, its your choice and your money. Generally, whilst we could probably have the choice of many tartans, we Highland Scots stick to one tartan. If nothing else its------ errr, ummm, well----- less expensive that way!

**Manu** · 31st July 18, 06:38 AM

Originally Posted by Jock Scot

Well alright, its your choice and your money. Generally, we Highland Scots stick to one tartan.

I'm aware of the Highland practice. If I remember correctly though Jock, I've seen you wearing a couple of different kilts, no? They were both McLeod of Harris, but I believe one was an enlarged sett.

**Manu** · 31st July 18, 06:32 AM

Originally Posted by Manu

My first one was a Black Stewart. I chose it because it was one of four tartans offered by Stillwater about 14 years ago! It was the one I liked the best. The one in my closet now is Ireland's National, which I chose because my wife and I'm about to pull the trigger on a County Cavan tartan because that is where her grandfather came from after WWII. Next on the list will be the Marine Dress Blue tartan for my service in the Corps.

Originally Posted by Jock Scot

Simple. Its my Clan tartan, job done. I will wear no other.

Well, the Marine Corps is my clan, biggest and baddest clan there ever was

The other two are for my wife, they make her happy.