My New Kilt just arrived.

**MacGowan** · 11th October 12, 11:12 AM

My Smith Ancient tartan kilt, which I purchased for my daughter's wedding just arrived from Burnett's & Struth. WOW!!!

Brandon was great to work with. I can't thank him enough.

The kilt is outstanding, both in quality and workmanship. I couldn't afford a formal kilt, so at the recommendation of some of the members I went with a casual. Brandon added an extra yard to it in order to make it a bit fuller and appear more formal. Again...WOW!!

Can't wait for my Wife to get home and see it.

**Seawolf** · 11th October 12, 11:28 AM

Meal do naidheachd!

Congratulations! Do you have any Pics yet?

Seawolf

**MacGowan** · 11th October 12, 12:00 PM

Thanks! I'll post a photo when my Wife gets home.

Ron "MacGowan"

**creagdhubh** · 11th October 12, 12:21 PM

Congratulations! And with a surname like MacGowan, how appropriate your choice of tartan! Tis a handsome sett indeed, especially in the 'weathered' colours. I'm a (Perthshire) MacGowan on my mother's side.

Cheers,

**MacGowan** · 11th October 12, 02:42 PM

Originally Posted by creagdhubh

Congratulations! And with a surname like MacGowan, how appropriate your choice of tartan! Tis a handsome sett indeed, especially in the 'weathered' colours. I'm a (Perthshire) MacGowan on my mother's side.

Cheers,

Thank you! My last name is actually Smith. I chose "MacGowan" due to the (for lack of the right word) translation. The only ancestral information I have is that my Grandfather often spoke of our Scot - Irish heritage. My maternal Grandfather was of Scot - Irish and Welsh decent. His Father, my Great Grandfather John Jones Steele was a very large man. I've heard that the locals all referred to him as 'The Big Scotsman'.

I wish I could find more information, but it's kind of sparse.

**creagdhubh** · 12th October 12, 06:49 AM

Originally Posted by MacGowan

Thank you! My last name is actually Smith. I chose "MacGowan" due to the (for lack of the right word) translation. The only ancestral information I have is that my Grandfather often spoke of our Scot - Irish heritage. My maternal Grandfather was of Scot - Irish and Welsh decent. His Father, my Great Grandfather John Jones Steele was a very large man. I've heard that the locals all referred to him as 'The Big Scotsman'.

I wish I could find more information, but it's kind of sparse.

Well, "MacGowan" in Gaelic does mean "Son of Smith," as ghobha is Scottish Gaelic for a "Smithy," or one who works with various metals. Every Highland clan or large, extended family throughout Scotland, Ireland, and the British Isles for that matter, had their own Smith who was held in very high regard and for good reason.

If you haven't done so already, you may find more detailed information if you tend to focus on the particular areas, or regions in which your Smith/MacGowan ancestors actually originated from. This is what I did early on in my genealogical research and it helped enormously. Of course, I hit a roadblock with my own direct ancestry at the year 1735, which tends to happen to many people. Census, church, death, birth, marriage records can only go so far and are subjective to each, individual family. Results definitely vary from family to family. Best of luck, and keep up the research. The results of your effort can be truly life-changing.

Cheers,