Clan MacMillan

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

Tough decisions!!! Do you go with the Ancient MacMillan or MacMillan Hunting? I think Im going to put the MacMillan Hunting Old Colors on my wish list. How would it look best pleated? And I need to find a good vendor that isnt too too pricey ( Im a poor fireman, who's expecting a baby in the next month) but I would still like it to be nice.

Maybe I could start out with a special MacMillan tartan gift for my baby girl thats due!!

I just made the trek into the attic, and all of my kilts are pleated to the sett-- I'm guessing this is the default pleat pattern. I think pleating to the stripe (yellow?) probably wouldn't look as nice.

I'll PM you with my thoughts about what else to get, rather than ignite another "flame war" between well dressed Scottish gentlemen and the guys in man-skirts. (Just kidding man-skirt guys )

[jbaker42j]

Thanks for everyones help! I think Id rather get the Clan tartan first rather than the Baker tartan. The Baker tartan just doesnt do it for me yet, it doesn't have the history and behind it.... after all it was designed in 1980, and the MacMillan tartans have been around for ages. If anyone else has any pictures of these tartans made into kilts please post them!

Off subject but my wife brought to my attention that the MacMillan Clan motto: I LEARN TO SUCCOUR THE DISTRESSED really represents my family. I am a Fireman and was in the service, my Dad is a Police Officer, and my Grandfather fought in WWII. Ive always known the motto but never really thought about it though. Makes me even more proud of my heritage. Anyway enough of that, I better get back to work!

[macwilkin]

Thanks for everyones help! I think Id rather get the Clan tartan first rather than the Baker tartan. The Baker tartan just doesnt do it for me yet, it doesn't have the history and behind it.... after all it was designed in 1980, and the MacMillan tartans have been around for ages. If anyone else has any pictures of these tartans made into kilts please post them!

Off subject but my wife brought to my attention that the MacMillan Clan motto: I LEARN TO SUCCOUR THE DISTRESSED really represents my family. I am a Fireman and was in the service, my Dad is a Police Officer, and my Grandfather fought in WWII. Ive always known the motto but never really thought about it though. Makes me even more proud of my heritage. Anyway enough of that, I better get back to work!

Remember though, that the age of a tartan is a relative thing; most tartans traditionally associated with clans have only had that association for about 200 years (give or take a few years) -- the concept of clan tartans is a relatively new one in the grand scheme of things.

I wear a tartan (the state tartan of Iowa) that was designed in 2003, but it is very significant to me because of my family, who has resided in Iowa since the 1840's...

T.

[Dr Mac]

Glad to know there's another clan MacMillan member among the rabble! Welcome! Up to you, of course, but I've thoroughly enjoyed wearing the Ancient in Old Colours, in the traditional 8-yd. knife pleated version, pleated to sett. At some point, I'll probably want one in the 4-yd box pleat style that Matt wears so well. If/when you join the International Centre at Finlaystone in Scotland, they will send you welcoming material to help you along for ordering your kilt & accessories. Very helpful folk! http://www.clanmacmillan.org

[Tattoo Bradley]

I've thoroughly enjoyed wearing the Ancient in Old Colours, in the traditional 8-yd. knife pleated version, pleated to sett. At some point, I'll probably want one in the 4-yd box pleat style that Matt wears so well.

Just a bit of FYI: the 4 yard box pleated kilt is the traditional of the two, when compared with the 8 yard knife pleated kilt which is a more modern version of The Kilt. See here on Matt's site to read a bit more.

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

Glad to know there's another clan MacMillan member among the rabble! Welcome! Up to you, of course, but I've thoroughly enjoyed wearing the Ancient in Old Colours, in the traditional 8-yd. knife pleated version, pleated to sett. At some point, I'll probably want one in the 4-yd box pleat style that Matt wears so well. If/when you join the International Centre at Finlaystone in Scotland, they will send you welcoming material to help you along for ordering your kilt & accessories. Very helpful folk! http://www.clanmacmillan.org

Howdy from another clansman! Where do you reside?

[jbaker42j]

Well, I'm okay with it for sure....but my MacMillan blood is pretty thin now. Like many in the U.S. I trace back to John McMillan b. 1736 who moved from Edinburgh to Ireland for a while then on to New York State.

I have the MacMillan Dress tartan (red and yellow/gold) high on my wish list.

If a Macdonald can wear MacMillan I'm sure Bakers can too. If you get Jay's okay you're home free.

Ron

I guess Im not home free. Ha. I was looking at the USAK MacMillan Tartan and I still dont understand this MacMillan Black deal? Is it MacMillan or Buchanan? Excuse my ignorance.

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

I guess Im not home free. Ha. I was looking at the USAK MacMillan Tartan and I still dont understand this MacMillan Black deal? Is it MacMillan or Buchanan? Excuse my ignorance.

"MacMillan Black" is not a MacMillan tartan-- it is a fashion tartan that was registered without the approval of the Chief, and has nothing to do with Clan MacMillan. The Chief made his view on this subject absolutely clear about six months ago: Anyone is free to wear it, but it is not recognized as having any connection with the clan. By extension, I would suggest that wearing the so-called "MacMillan" Black tartan should probably be avoided when attending clan functions, or representing the clan in any manner whatsoever.

Basically the "MacMillan Black" tartan appears to be a variation of Buchanan with a black background. The Clan MacMillan Society tartan, patented by Daniel McMillan in the 1890s has a green background, and is identical to MacMillan Ancient, with the exception of the symmetrical sett.

Hope that clears things up!

[Fedgunner]

The information on the "Black MacMillan" is correct.
George (our Chief) doesn't care if you wear it, but he has stated that you should never imply that it is a MacMillan tartan.

I do wear mine to clan functions, but it is more tounge in cheek wearing the "Banned MacMillan"
For more formal functions I wear my Clan Brown tartan.