Kiltmakers Edinburgh

**Blackrose87** · 17th February 12, 01:15 PM

I was toying with the idea of getting a MacLean tartan kilt, and was wondering if any of the native Scots here had an opinion on that.
I know that some of my friends here would disapprove of someone not Scottish wearing a clan tartan, but has anyone here found that to be a problem?
I can trace both sides of my family to Scotland 3 generations ago, but since then we've been settled in the North of Ireland. I don't know if this would qualify me enough though.
I wouldn't want to offend anyone so would it be more diplomatic if I just struck to the Irish tartans?

**Kilted Craanen** · 18th February 12, 03:16 PM

I've found Geoffrey Taylor to be very expensive. I recommend Gordon Nicholson (a bit further down the mile in the red building). Quality service and my kilt looks great! Sometimes a bit slow in responding though, but I've found that to be common.

**Blackrose87** · 6th March 12, 03:04 PM

I think I'm going to go for Gordon Nicholson, as I just found out I can get 15% student discount. I suppose the responding time isn't a problem as I can just go into the shop if I have any questions.

**John_Carrick** · 7th March 12, 02:15 PM

Originally Posted by Blackrose87

I think I'm going to go for Gordon Nicholson, as I just found out I can get 15% student discount. I suppose the responding time isn't a problem as I can just go into the shop if I have any questions.

I had a good experience with Gordon Nicholson last year. I got my Weathered Gordon kilt made up by them and have been very pleased with it.
John

**Jock Scot** · 6th March 12, 03:25 PM

If I may, can I give you a tip about non Scots wearing clan tartans in Scotland?

Don't go into a two hour justification lecture, or two minute justification one either. Just say clan X is my family/Clan tartan, whilst looking them straight in the eye. Job done. You have a connection so use it.

Where YOU WILL weaken your credibility in Scotland is if you decide to wear more than one clan tartan. Most Scots are actually far too polite to even ask about your choice and those that might, are probably of the same clan as you, so do a bit, not too much, of clan homework.

**Blackrose87** · 6th March 12, 03:31 PM

Originally Posted by Jock Scot

If I may, can I give you a tip about non Scots wearing clan tartans in Scotland?

Don't go into a two hour justification lecture, or two minute justification one either. Just say clan X is my family/Clan tartan, whilst looking them straight in the eye. Job done. You have a connection so use it.

Where YOU WILL weaken your credibility in Scotland is if you decide to wear more than one clan tartan. Most Scots are actually far too polite to even ask about your choice and those that might, are probably of the same clan as you, so do a bit, not too much, of clan homework.

Although other people on this site would disagree with me, I wouldn't feel comfortable as a non-scot wearing Scottish tartan. If I really wanted to I could trace my family back 100 years to where they immigrated to Ireland, and use this as justification, but it feels like clutching at straws.
I'm planning on wearing the Ulster tartan, so if asked, I can reply that although I live in Scotland, I spent the first 17 years of my life in Derry City and am more than justified in wearing the county's tartan

**Jock Scot** · 6th March 12, 03:40 PM

Originally Posted by Blackrose87

Although other people on this site would disagree with me, I wouldn't feel comfortable as a non-scot wearing Scottish tartan. If I really wanted to I could trace my family back 100 years to where they immigrated to Ireland, and use this as justification, but it feels like clutching at straws.
I'm planning on wearing the Ulster tartan, so if asked, I can reply that although I live in Scotland, I spent the first 17 years of my life in Derry City and am more than justified in wearing the county's tartan

Yes!!!!! Well done laddie! That, in my view, is the most honourable way to go. You will go far Sir.

**Blackrose87** · 6th March 12, 06:04 PM

Originally Posted by Jock Scot

Yes!!!!! Well done laddie! That, in my view, is the most honourable way to go. You will go far Sir.

Thanks, Jock. To be honest I feel that if I have to trace back my ancestry past my father to claim a clan or tartan, then I'm really not eligible to wear it.
That's why the county/province/country tartans are so good, they allow people not born in Scotland to wear a kilt, for whatever reason, without offending anyone.
That's just my thoughts, but to each his own.

**creagdhubh** · 20th March 12, 08:04 AM

Originally Posted by Blackrose87

Thanks, Jock. To be honest I feel that if I have to trace back my ancestry past my father to claim a clan or tartan, then I'm really not eligible to wear it.
That's why the county/province/country tartans are so good, they allow people not born in Scotland to wear a kilt, for whatever reason, without offending anyone.
That's just my thoughts, but to each his own.

Interesting outlook and I somewhat agree on the matter, however, I extend to my great-grandfather and grandfather, because I was blessed to have known their love and respected their guidance. They are the paternal line of Macphersons, fathers of my father, thus I choose to wear the Clan Macpherson tartans and those tartans alone.

Cheers,

**creagdhubh** · 20th March 12, 05:02 AM

Originally Posted by Jock Scot

If I may, can I give you a tip about non Scots wearing clan tartans in Scotland?

Don't go into a two hour justification lecture, or two minute justification one either. Just say clan X is my family/Clan tartan, whilst looking them straight in the eye. Job done. You have a connection so use it.

Where YOU WILL weaken your credibility in Scotland is if you decide to wear more than one clan tartan. Most Scots are actually far too polite to even ask about your choice and those that might, are probably of the same clan as you, so do a bit, not too much, of clan homework.

Good advice, Jock! I recall being asked by a Scottish member of the Clan Macpherson Association, why I choose to wear the Macpherson Red 'Modern' or 'Ancient' tartan in a kilt sometimes, implying that the 'hunting' and 'dress' setts are by far the most popular Macpherson tartans and is what you will only see our Chief wearing (I own both the red-based Macpherson tartans, the 'hunting,' 'dress' and weathered). I thought for a moment and completely understood and respected where he was coming from, however, I informed him that I choose to wear both the 'ancient' and 'modern' versions of the Macpherson red-based ('Clan') tartan simply because I like the colours, even though I do prefer the 'hunting' and 'dress' Macpherson tartans over the red-based versions.

Cheers,