Kilted inheritance? How true is it really?

**Singlemalt** · 1st May 11, 09:10 PM

I am not sure how old a kilt needs to be to be considered "heirloom" but my parents had a kilt made for me as a graduation gift in the late seventy's. I wore it for my wedding 30 years ago. My eldest son is getting married later this month. My boys and I will all be kilted and my youngest son will be wearing the old kilt. It has a few small moth holes but it fits him very well and adds a lot to the sentiment of the occasion for us all.

**Jock Scot** · 2nd May 11, 02:04 AM

Kilt accoutrements could be regarded as heirlooms I think,but kilts, hose, jackets should be just regarded as prudent recycling. I have worn in my time, my grandfathers kilts etc and my fathers and at various times so have my sons and I doubt that any of us really think too much about it.On the other hand, I and I know my brother and our respective families do hold kilt metal-wear and leather-wear in high esteem.

All this was brought sharply into focus at my recent birthday, when I was presented with a silver kilt pin that had belonged to my father. He had lost it out on the moor when grouse shooting in the 1950's,I can remember half the county turning out to look for it! Anyway, it was found by one of the keepers whilst repairing some grouse butts last year. I have to admit shedding a modest tear at its return some 60 years later.I will see if I can get a picture of it.

**Jock Scot** · 2nd May 11, 02:40 AM

Here we go.Not a good picture I am afraid. It has a ram's head at the top and the "pin"(rusted away) and catch(it was broken and that's why it fell off) has been replaced and when found it was tarnished to jet black. Silver and hallmarked for 1934. Yes, heirlooms do mean something and some mean a heck of a lot!

**Joshua** · 2nd May 11, 03:52 AM

Originally Posted by Jock Scot

Here we go.Not a good picture I am afraid. It has a ram's head at the top and the "pin"(rusted away) and catch(it was broken and that's why it fell off) has been replaced and when found it was tarnished to jet black. Silver and hallmarked for 1934. Yes, heirlooms do mean something and some mean a heck of a lot!

Jock that is OUTSTANDING!

Great story...

**M. A. C. Newsome** · 2nd May 11, 04:29 AM

I don't own any kilts that were passed on to me by older generations in my family, but just to illustrate the principle, the kilt I am wearing in the below photo is at least 80 or 90 years old, and though a bit threadbare in places, is still perfectly wearable. In fact, it has a certain "patina" about it that you just won't find in a new kilt.

The gentleman standing next to me is Capt. Sir Malcolm MacGregor of MacGregor. The reproduction portrait we are standing by is of his great-great-(maybe one more great)-grandfather, and Sir Malcolm was just telling me before we took the photo that he still owns all the items seen worn in the photo "except the sword," and that when he was a younger man could still fit in them.

Here's a detail from that print.

Here is Sir Malcolm back in 1953, with his father, preparing for the Queen's Coronation. Again, Sir Malcolm has all of the items his father is wearing, and I believe fits in them.

**artificer** · 2nd May 11, 04:54 AM

Originally Posted by Jock Scot

Here we go.Not a good picture I am afraid. It has a ram's head at the top and the "pin"(rusted away) and catch(it was broken and that's why it fell off) has been replaced and when found it was tarnished to jet black. Silver and hallmarked for 1934. Yes, heirlooms do mean something and some mean a heck of a lot!

Congratulations, Jock! What a wonderful homecoming for such a splendid little piece.

Originally Posted by M. A. C. Newsome

Here's a detail from that print.

Here is Sir Malcolm back in 1953, with his father, preparing for the Queen's Coronation. Again, Sir Malcolm has all of the items his father is wearing, and I believe fits in them.

Wow!

It really makes me wonder what amazing pieces are out in family collections that either never see the light of day.

Thanks Matt.

ith:

**CMcG** · 2nd May 11, 07:26 AM

Originally Posted by Jock Scot

<snip>
All this was brought sharply into focus at my recent birthday, when I was presented with a silver kilt pin that had belonged to my father. He had lost it out on the moor when grouse shooting in the 1950's,I can remember half the county turning out to look for it! Anyway, it was found by one of the keepers whilst repairing some grouse butts last year. I have to admit shedding a modest tear at its return some 60 years later.I will see if I can get a picture of it.

Jock, that is an amazing story about your father's kilt pin. Congratulations!

Now this time, make doubly sure it is securely fastened so it doesn't go missing for another 60 years

Originally Posted by Jock Scot

<snip> I know my brother and our respective families do hold kilt metal-wear and leather-wear in high esteem.

I still wear my father's kilt pin and horsehair sporran from when he was a piper in the 1950s. I definitely hold them in high regard, which is formed by a mixture of their age and provenance.

**Cowher** · 2nd May 11, 08:34 AM

Jock that is a incredible story! It definitely tugs on the heart strings.

**piperdbh** · 2nd May 11, 09:01 AM

I'm the only one in the family with any "kilt stuff', so all my acquisitions are new. Both my grandfathers died before I was born, so there's nothing for me to inherit from them. I do have a quilt that my grandmother made for me when I was a year or two old. It's a full-size quilt, not a baby blanket, which I consider an heirloom.

**auld argonian** · 2nd May 11, 09:15 AM

Well...I'm just gonna wear them and enjoy them and not worry about whether or not somebody's gonna get them after my demise. I'll be dead and it won't matter a whole lot to me...if it matters to any of my children or grandchildren they can work it out...I'd suggest Thunderdome, though...seemed to have worked well for Mad Max...

Best

AA