Meeting the Chief for Lunch

**Tuirc** · 15th May 12, 07:22 AM

I have the good fortune to have been invited by my clan chief for a private lunch at his home while I'm in Scotland next month. Of course, I will want to wear my kilt for the event. I've yet to accumulate all of the various items it would require to have a "proper" kilt outfit. For instance, I lack ghillie brogues (or anything approximating them) I've only been wearing it in casual circumstances so far, so I've been using hiking boots. I also have no headgear. I think my sporran is adequate for daytime affairs, as is my belt and buckle. Not sure about what to wear for a shirt with it though.

So, the question is, what must I have and additionally, what should I have?

To answer my own question, what I'd like to have for the occasion would be a pair of ghillie brogues, a Glen Garry, an Argyll Jacket, collared shirt with four-in-hand tie (probably clan tartan). And probably, a better sgain dubh than I currently have. Do I miss my mark with that or am I on target for the "should have?"

**Mael Coluim** · 15th May 12, 07:29 AM

Most of us would say forget the Gillies and wear your oxfords/brogues. Wear a dress shirt that you have in your closet. You might consider contacting Redshank at Dunadd Trading Company for a Mackie bonnet. Rocky at USA Kilts has good deals on Argylls.

That will be one power lunch! Take photos to share with us.

**Guinness>water** · 15th May 12, 07:36 AM

Most men on here advise against a tartan tie while wearing a tartan kilt and recommend a solid color or regimental striped tie. Also, most agree that Ghillie Brogues are rentel'ish. An Argyll jacket, solid color hose, Balmoral, traditional garter ties, and regular shoes sounds like it would work well. You probably have time to order some of the above mentioned iteams from the Scottish Tartans Museum(STM) if you want, I highly recommend them.

Enjoy your visit!

**cable scot** · 15th May 12, 07:38 AM

Originally Posted by Mael Coluim

Most of us would say forget the Gillies and wear your oxfords/brogues. Wear a dress shirt that you have in your closet. You might consider contacting Redshank at Dunadd Trading Company for a Mackie bonnet. Rocky at USA Kilts has good deals on Argylls.

That will be one power lunch! Take photos to share with us.

*** and would add that if you need them oxford/brogue shoes can easily be found at a second hand store as well as dress shirts and ties.

Regards
Andy

**Paul Henry** · 15th May 12, 07:38 AM

You will find that hardly anyone wear ghillie brogues with laces except if they are piping or possibly dancing, so really you have no need to put yourself out to get a pair,instead a good pair of polished laceup shoes will serve much better,likewise a glengarry, hats are not worn so much over here, and certainly if you were sitting down for a meal the hat would come off in anycase. A smart white shirt or a tattershall type will do well, with a plain or possibly stripped or association tie. A tartan one would not often be worn with a kilt, even if it was the same clan. Of course a nice smart argyll jacket in a tweed would work well, but probably not a black one with silver buttons.
Of course it depends a little on who else is going to be there and the number of guests as well, but with a kilt , a good tweed jacket , smart shoes and a well tied tie , you are likely to fit in very well without any extra accessories.

**creagdhubh** · 15th May 12, 07:55 AM

Originally Posted by Tuirc

I have the good fortune to have been invited by my clan chief for a private lunch at his home while I'm in Scotland next month. Of course, I will want to wear my kilt for the event. I've yet to accumulate all of the various items it would require to have a "proper" kilt outfit. For instance, I lack ghillie brogues (or anything approximating them) I've only been wearing it in casual circumstances so far, so I've been using hiking boots. I also have no headgear. I think my sporran is adequate for daytime affairs, as is my belt and buckle. Not sure about what to wear for a shirt with it though.

So, the question is, what must I have and additionally, what should I have?

To answer my own question, what I'd like to have for the occasion would be a pair of ghillie brogues, a Glen Garry, an Argyll Jacket, collared shirt with four-in-hand tie (probably clan tartan). And probably, a better sgain dubh than I currently have. Do I miss my mark with that or am I on target for the "should have?"

I have met with my Chief (Cluny-Macpherson) many times at his home, Newton Castle in Blairgowrie, Perthshire, for private luncheons, so I can definitely speak from experience. It is always an informal and very relaxed event at Newton Castle, with Cluny and his immediate family wearing kilts with woolen jumpers, or some wearing a simple collared shirt and no tie. I have always worn a long-sleeve, collared shirt, no tie, kilt, leather day sporran or one of my full-mask sporrans with strap, hose and flash (or garters), sgian dubh, and plain leather brogues (not the 'Ghillie' types).

This attire always works, because this is basically how Cluny is dressed, as well as other Macphersons present. This may not work in your case, especially if everyone is wearing a necktie and a jacket, but you do not know how everyone will be dressed, to include your Chief, so it's a gamble. I would opt for a necktie and a jacket with your kilt, as you can always dress it down by removing your jacket and tie at your leisure. I wouldn't worry too much about headgear; if you are inside, you wont be wearing it anyways. None of the men, to include Cluny, wear a bonnet whilst enjoying a nice afternoon together over cucumber and chicken salad sandwiches.

Cheers,

**Tuirc** · 15th May 12, 08:10 AM

Thanks everyone for the quick responses! Definitely appreciate the information. As you can tell, I'm a newbie. I just got my kilt last fall. Appreciate being set straight on the the ghillie brogue/brogue front and the tartan tie front. I don't think either the 30th or 32nd Infantry have regimental ties, so a nice solid will do. I'm sure I have a shirt that would be fine. I plan to acquire a jumper while there, so depending on the weather, that might work too.

Obviously, from my signature, I'm talking about the chief of Clan MacLaren, Donald MacLaren. I've only exchanged a few e-mails personally, but I do know a couple of people that know him well and I would suspect he is much like you describe Cluny MacPherson. In Perthshire, but sans castle...appears we were a bit too warlike for our own good and ended up rather more depleted than is consonant with land and title accumulation.

**creagdhubh** · 15th May 12, 08:35 AM

Originally Posted by Tuirc

Thanks everyone for the quick responses! Definitely appreciate the information. As you can tell, I'm a newbie. I just got my kilt last fall. Appreciate being set straight on the the ghillie brogue/brogue front and the tartan tie front. I don't think either the 30th or 32nd Infantry have regimental ties, so a nice solid will do. I'm sure I have a shirt that would be fine. I plan to acquire a jumper while there, so depending on the weather, that might work too.

Obviously, from my signature, I'm talking about the chief of Clan MacLaren, Donald MacLaren. I've only exchanged a few e-mails personally, but I do know a couple of people that know him well and I would suspect he is much like you describe Cluny MacPherson. In Perthshire, but sans castle...appears we were a bit too warlike for our own good and ended up rather more depleted than is consonant with land and title accumulation.

No worries mate, glad to help. Enjoy your visit with your Chief!