Need advice on what or what not to wear

[JSFMACLJR]

Hello all

I am a first time poster here on XMTS and I was hoping some kind soul could guide me as I am planning on attending the 2012 Clan MacLean gathering at Duart Castle on the Isle of Mull. I have purchased a dress sporran and am saving money for a 16 oz Dress MacLean kilt from J. Higgins in addition to a waistcoat and jacket.

What I want to know is when in the company of clansmen from Scotland that I meet at the gathering, what should I wear or not wear in regards to highland attire so as not to offend anyone?

Just to clarify, my biological father was Merle MacVey. The MacVeys are a sept of Clan MacLean.

Thanks to you all,

Eric

Hello Eric,

We too are planning on attending the next Gathering on Mull, so I look forward to meeting you.

Most MacLeans wear the MacLean hunting tartan by day, and the red MacLean tartan for evening events. You certainly do NOT want to get a kilt of Dress MacLean, which has a white background. You certainly would appear a bit odd!

Now, not everyone can afford two kilts. If you can only buy one, I would get one of MacLean hunting tartan. Many MacLeans wear them even in the evening, including Maclean of Ardgour, and Maclean of Dochgarroch--two of our chieftains. MacLean of Pennycross wears the trews in the evening of hunting tartan.

For the daytime events at the Gathering, a tweed jacket, maybe a waistcoat (it can be quite chilly on Mull), necktie, hose that are not white, would mark you as One Who Knows. Of course you can go a little less formal and wear a sweater of fleece. For the formal evening events, many wear black tie. The Prince Charlie coatee predominates, but all other forms of evening doublets are seen. The Chief wears a doublet of green velvet with his silver salmon buttons. My suggestion would be to give the PC a wide pass and get either a regulation doublet, or the always popular and versatile Argyll doublet.

Most importantly, dress in a manner that you find comfortable. You won't be shunned no matter what you wear! There are even MacLeans at the Gatherings who wear white hose, although I must say they do stick out and occasionally evoke a chuckle or two by the cognizanti!

Cheers
Sandford MacLean

[nh_maclean]

Hello Eric,

We too are planning on attending the next Gathering on Mull, so I look forward to meeting you.

Most MacLeans wear the MacLean hunting tartan by day, and the red MacLean tartan for evening events. You certainly do NOT want to get a kilt of Dress MacLean, which has a white background. You certainly would appear a bit odd!

Cheers
Sandford MacLean

As another MacLean on here, this is good to know! I was fortunate enough to get a red MacLean kilt on here and I do have in mind to get a kilt in the hunting tartan at some point but perhaps that should be sooner then later.

Is there generally a preference for 'ancient' vs. 'modern' versions?

In regards to the MacLean gathering in 2012, my mother's been talking about getting the family over there for it, so perhaps we'll all meet over in Mull.

Cheers,
Noah

[Eric Schutte]

Noah, it would be an honor to meet any and all MacLeans at the gathering. Stay in touch and we'll plan to meet up in Mull in 2012!!

Eric

[nh_maclean]

Noah, it would be an honor to meet any and all MacLeans at the gathering. Stay in touch and we'll plan to meet up in Mull in 2012!!

Eric

Souds good! Plus it looks like we're both on the west coast! I've got a cousin or two out here too! Who knows-maybe a West Coast gathering!

[JSFMACLJR]

As another MacLean on here, this is good to know! I was fortunate enough to get a red MacLean kilt on here and I do have in mind to get a kilt in the hunting tartan at some point but perhaps that should be sooner then later.

Is there generally a preference for 'ancient' vs. 'modern' versions?

In regards to the MacLean gathering in 2012, my mother's been talking about getting the family over there for it, so perhaps we'll all meet over in Mull.

Cheers,
Noah

Hi Noah,
Most tend to favour the ancient MacLean hunting tartan, although you can find quite a few modern. I would have to guess that 60% like ancient, 40% modern.

Sir Lachlan wears ancient hunting tartan.

[Stratherrick]

Eric

Welcome from a Fraser, currently living in Northumberland in Sassen!

The sage advice already offered cannot be bettered. My only thought is, don't get too wound up about making any sartorial errors. There'll be plenty on offer and, as you seem to have picked up on things on here, you'll be ahead of the field.

As others have said, wear comfy shoes. I have ghillie brogues but reserve them for ultra formal events. Most of the time, even in the capital, I wear clean walking boots.

I wish I could go to a Fraser clan gathering, but I keep on missing them! Mind, having said that, there are sooo many Frasers in the old clan lands around Inverness, just going to that part of the Highlands is like meeting up with the ancestors!

Slainte

Bruce

[nh_maclean]

Hi Noah,
Most tend to favour the ancient MacLean hunting tartan, although you can find quite a few modern. I would have to guess that 60% like ancient, 40% modern.

Sir Lachlan wears ancient hunting tartan.

I do actually favor the ancient tartan as well - but it's hard to tell with just the tartan swatches I've found online - what it would look like as a kilt. Do you happen to have a picture of an ancient hunting tartan? I've seen the pictures of Sean Connery in a MacLean hunting tartan but can't tell if it's modern or ancient. (I'm guessing modern.) Digitalized swatches side-by-side is one thing, but in a photo - it's hard for me to tell.

Cheers,
Noah

[JSFMACLJR]

I do actually favor the ancient tartan as well - but it's hard to tell with just the tartan swatches I've found online - what it would look like as a kilt. Do you happen to have a picture of an ancient hunting tartan? I've seen the pictures of Sean Connery in a MacLean hunting tartan but can't tell if it's modern or ancient. (I'm guessing modern.) Digitalized swatches side-by-side is one thing, but in a photo - it's hard for me to tell.

Cheers,
Noah

I do have some pics:



The Chief, with the megaphone, and all the other gentlemen and ladies (with two small exceptions) are wearing the ancient hunting tartan. Young Duart's little son is wearing a kilt of modern hunting tartan. Maclean of Dochgarroch is wearing a kilt of--I think--weathered hunting tartan, but he must have had it woven specially, as I have never seen that tartan anywhere else.



In this picture, taken in 2006, I am wearing ancient hunting tartan; my younger son Stuart is wearing a kilt of modern hunting tartan; and my elder son John is wearing a kilt of weathered MacLean tartan.

[Eric Schutte]

Noah - You name the time and place and I'll be there!!! I have a brother in California so I will have somewhere to stay if its in the southern end.

Sandy, Wow I think that I too like the MacLean Hunting Ancient....I wonder if J. Higgins can order that in a kilt from House of Edgar?

Sandy, have you met the Chief, Sir Lachlan?

Thanks again all,

Eric

[JSFMACLJR]

Sandy, have you met the Chief, Sir Lachlan?

Thanks again all,

Eric

Yes I have. He's a very nice gentleman, maybe a bit on the shy side.