Alan, If you have some French-Canadian background, than you already have a connection to the Hudson Bay tartan. Not only does Quebec border Hudson Bay, but a lot of Canada's history include both French Canadians and the Hudson Bay. If you can date the French Canadian side back to 1600 something, than it is highly unlikely that your ancestors were not touched by the HBC in someway.

See if you can find a copy of Great Scots! by Matthew Shaw. I only have the one copy or I would send you mine.

As for tartan taste changes, I first ordered a Black Watch because they kiltmaker had a limited supply of 12 tartans. In hind sight I would have gotten Maple Leaf. I than went with Family tartan. I was going to buy an Isle of Skye kilt a few years back, but held off. Seeing how many have been ordered since, I regret not getting on, but than I don't.

I am more of a fan of the weathered and ancient tartans than the modern colours now and prefer the kilt to be part of the outfit not a glowing beacon. I usually stand out anyway and don't need to add the extra calling card. I really like the grey tartans that have been coming out lately.