Modern vs Ancient?

**Liam** · 17th January 14, 02:03 PM

Originally Posted by Grizzly

Oops sorry you said Ancient and I read Weathered, guess I haven't had enough sherry yet!

Pay attention Grizzly you doddery old buffoon!

I hope it was a fino - next to a fine Islay malt, a fino Sherry is probably my favourite tipple.

I would encourage the OP to have a look at the weathered MacKenzie - it is a beautiful lookng tartan.

Bill

**piperdown** · 17th January 14, 02:29 PM

That is one nice looking tartan. I love the weathered look. My weathered Mackintosh is probably my favourite and most worn kilt.

**creagdhubh** · 17th January 14, 02:52 PM

Originally Posted by piperdown

That is one nice looking tartan. I love the weathered look. My weathered Mackintosh is probably my favourite and most worn kilt.

And my red-based Macpherson tartan in the reproduction colours is my absolute favourite and most worn kilt as well!

However, I merely suggested to the OP to check out the Mackenzie tartan in weathered/reproduction colours, since it is such a gorgeous sett and colour scheme. The OP has quite obviously stated that he is rather keen on the Mackenzie tartan in the 'ancient' hue. With that being said, I think the OP should also check out the Mackenzie tartan in Wilson's of Bannockburn colours, perhaps he will find that a smart looking colour scheme as well!

Kenneth & Thomas Mackenzie at Loch Duich, West coast of Rosshire, with Eilean Donan Castle and Tulloch Ard.
-Watercolour portrait painted by Kenneth MacLeay, RSA

**416 Rigby** · 19th January 14, 09:03 PM

Kyle, would you believe I have that very watercolor on the cover of my bagpiping binder? Manly men, kilts and double fowlers.

**OC Richard** · 20th January 14, 06:06 AM

Rigby I always like to look at swatches of the actual fabric. Not only can you choose between modern, ancient, weathered/reproduction, and muted, these colours vary from mill to mill and might vary a bit from the same mill in different weights (13oz v 16oz).

As you can see MacKenzie looks great in all colour schemes! So there's no 'bad' choice.

I love to have a nice big swatch in hand that I can see in various lighting conditions, or see up against my jackets, and so forth, which sounds kinda crazy but a new kilt is a major purchase and I don't enter into it lightly.

Perhaps there's a kiltmaker or highland outfitter or import shop up your way that has the swatch books from a number of mills that you can peruse. It would be worth a fair drive to have the opportunity to see the various colours in the flesh. Maybe at a local Highland Games?

The Tartan Thistle on Whidbey Island is the only people up there I know about offhand. Maureen is great and I'm sure will be very helpful.

I for one love reproduction/weathered kilts and House Of Edgar muted kilts. They stand out somehow.

Here's an image of HOE muted MacKenzie from tartanstore.net

In HOE Muted the blue is a lovely cobalt or French blue, the green somewhat olive, and scarlet becomes claret.

Good luck! Richard

PS I guess it's a military/historical thing but I always like old army tartans like MacKenzie when they're pleated to the stripe, in this case the white stripe.