Back in 2001 when I bought my first kilt, I was only interested in wearing my clan tartan. I did a lot of research and viewed many tartans, but I felt an allegiance to the MacGregor clan and wanted to show that feeling in my kilt. I had seen the Black Watch tartan, but thought it to be too dark and rather ugly. I remember seeing the clergy tartan and saying to myself, "I wouldn't wear that". I didn't want to wear anything but pure wool and I saw tartan as just a collection of colored stripes.

But, time is a wonderful thing. It can change the core of a person, heal all wounds, and fly away when you're having fun. Today I'm wearing a kilt in the Blackwatch tartan and I am planning to order a PV kilt in the clergy tartan this week. I have realized that almost all garments anyone would wear are available in more than one material so why not do the same with the kilt? I now see tartan as more than just colors, many have meaning. Some of my favorites are the American Heritage, Scottish National, US Navy, and Firefighters Memorial.. and these aren't even clan tartans.

I'm a very different person today than I was 7 years ago and I'd like to think that is due to Scottish heritage and the people I have been fortunate enough to meet in this life.

It just goes to show you never know what things will be like a few years from now.