Took me 45 years...

**Robin** · 6th November 05, 08:32 AM

I'm a complete idiot!

Hello!

I'm from the Netherlands, I don't have a clan name...I'm not even a sept...the only relation with Scotland is that my parents "made me" there

I always loved Scotland...been there several times, had a bagpipe player on my wedding, Scotch Malt Whisky is my fav drink, I'm a golf nut, I've several books about the tartan...so why on earth I didn't purchase a kilt before?

Never mind...

A few days ago my wife challenged me on a Dutch golf forum to wear a kilt during the 2006 forum matchplay championship...just to tease me I guess, but she triggered something she will probably regret...

I started to gather all the information I needed and ordered my first kilt, hoses, belt and belt buckle.
A heavyweight traditional 16oz 8 yards kilt...Caledonia(mod) tartan...(see avatar).

I also found myself a lovely sporran...

My life will never be the same :grin:

**AckZel** · 6th November 05, 08:38 AM

Great to hear! I don't have any blood connections to Scotland either and I don't think it's so big of a deal. Being a highlander is a matter of spirit. ;) And welcome to the community!

By the way. Where did you get that sporran from!?

**Robin** · 6th November 05, 08:42 AM

leathersporran.co.uk

8-)

**chasem** · 6th November 05, 08:58 AM

excellent! Welcome aboard and way to dive right in!

Hope you enjoy things here.

**Hamish** · 6th November 05, 09:58 AM

Hi Robin,

I can vouch for the quality and looks of your new sporran, since I have had one exactly like it for just over a year now. There are several photos showing it in my Photo Album linked below, but here is one I've selected at random:

My preference was for the sporran strap rather than the obligatory chain and the leathersporran.com company were very helpful in supplying it, although I had to wait for it to be despatched after the sporran itself.

Whilst praising this particular model, we MUST not forget our own 'in-house' sporran-maker: young 'Freelander' over there in Norway who makes a different, but superb, style of sporran altogether. You'll see, and hear about, his work as you get to know people here. Oh, welcome, by the way!

**KiltedCodeWarrior** · 6th November 05, 10:49 AM

Robin, Welcome!! And that is one awesome sporran! Just what we needed a new member who also brings kilt accessories to lust over!

Note to self.. leathersporran.co.uk, just add it to the list, don't buy...:grin:

**Alan H** · 6th November 05, 11:02 AM

GREAT story, and welcome!

**Robin** · 6th November 05, 11:08 AM

Thanks for the warm welcome!

Some good reading on this forum...perfect for someone like me.

Next summer I'll visit "The Open" (Brittish Open Golf Championship) in Liverpool...afterwards 2 weeks Scotland (more shopping

)

As soon as I get my kilt I'll post some pictures (the sporran has to wait till xmas...ah well a couple of weeks more won't do any harm after 45 years).

**macwilkin** · 6th November 05, 11:10 AM

There are two tartans associated with the Netherlands, the "Dutch Mackay" tartan, which honours the connections between the Netherlands and Clan Mackay:

The Mackays of Strathnaver are especially remembered for the famous "Mackay Regiment" raised for the service of the Dutch and Swedish crowns during the 17th century. As a result of this many clansmen settled in Holland and Sweden and gave rise to a number of noble families there. In 1628, Sir Donald Mackay was raised to the peerage of Lord Reay by Charles I. His grandson, Colonel Aeneas Mackay of the Scotch-Dutch Brigade, married the heiress of the Baron van Haefton. The Mackays suffered badly in the Strathnaver clearances between 1815 and 1818 and finally in 1829 the Reay estate was sold to the Sutherland family and in 1875 the chiefship passed to Baron Mackay van Opermet who became 10th Lord Reay. His nephew Baron Aeneas Mackay, prime minister of the Netherlands was the great grandfather of the present chief.

The Clan Mackay Chiefship is vested in the Lords Reay who also hold the title Barons Van Ophemert in Holland.

-- http://www.clanmackayusa.org/Features/mkhistry.htm

The Dutch Mackay tartan may be seen here:

http://www.clanmackayusa.org/images/mktartns.jpg

And here's a web site for the new "Tartan of Holland":

http://www.wishart.org/TartanofHolland/

Another option would be to wear the tartan of one of the Scottish Regiments that liberated the Netherlands during the Second World War; I know of a couple of pipe bands in the Netherlands that do so!

Welcome and Cheers,

Todd