What is your tartan? What is your favorite?

[Rob Wright]

Overwhelmingly a Douglas

I have McBride and Murray connections but Douglas is my clan. All time favorite is my Douglas Grey Ancient pleated to the stripe by Kathy Lare. That one only comes out for very special occasions.

Rob

[skruse]

Muir, a sept of More. To honor the native of Dunbar and the most famous Californian, ever, John Muir, father of our national parks, forests, etc. His date of birth is 21 April and I will wear my kilt to work, passing out graham crackers during the day.

[Detroitpete]

Prince of Wales is rather nice I agree, I'll have to look up Sligo.

I've only designed two tartans so I'm by far an expert but I'd be happy to give some input. Maybe you could start up a thread with examples of what you've tried so far along with your rationale and then people could comment or have their own go based on what you've said?

Thanks!

I've tried a few designs and they come out looking gawd awful. The biggest problem I have is coming up with a 'balance' in the colors. PM me if you will and let me know where there is a good online tartan design tool--maybe that would help?

Ok--hi-jack over...

Ahhh...I have a family connection to the Bruce tartan and never thought much of it until I saw one in person. Now that's added to my wish list---maybe even added to my DREAM wish--to have it made by Matt Newsome!

[lethearen]

On my mum's side I'm a Ferguson. Her brother likes to romanticise that we delineated from Fergus mac Roich, foster-father of the lengendary Cuchulainn. A nice thought, and I'm wont to humour it some myself ;) One day I'll break into geneology and prove that I'm a decendent of a poor potato farmer... until then I'll wear my Ferguson kilt with pride! When it finally arrives, that is...

On my father's side, that'd be Lang. I don't know much about them, though. Tartan's nice enough, I suppose.

While I rather do enjoy the sett of the Ferguson tartan, I'd say my favourite is the MacLean Hunting - and not just because Sir Sean Connery sports it so well! I enjoy the simplicity of it, and to be honest it reminds me a wee bit of the Emerald Isle ;)

[Jordan]

My favorite tartan would be Cooper i have my only made to mesure kilt made from it and its the one which i keep and wear for special occasions (so far its only been worn once outside of the shop).

I also like the XMTS tartan and the RAF tartan which i would like to get made in the indefinate future

Jordan

[kennethrmc]

My favorite kilt is MacIntosh modern hunting, which I am wearing in the icon. That's my last name and paternal heritage, and of the clan tartan options that modern hunting tartan is my favorite. It's not only my heritage--I think it is one of the most beautiful of all tartans (yeah, like I'm impartial)

[Mac Daibhidh]

Davidson old colors for me and i'm marrying a Farquharson in a few weeks … so that may very well be my next tartan.

Chris

By the way this thread would make a great search feature.
Maybe an admin might consider making it a sticky.

[sputtyduke]

I really appreciate the feedback. Some of you are clearly more passionate about your respective clan affiliations than others.(to put it mildly) It is interesting to see that many only wear their own family tartans. This raises an interesting question. What is your personal "criteria" for wearing a kilt? Traditionally, the highland kilt was a general purpose item more than a fashion statement. I'm sure I don't need to educate anyone here on what the kilt was good for, but one of the main reasons for the tartan was camouflage. The colors of the tartan were taken from what was readily available, i.e. the local plants and animals. This allowed the wearer to blend in with the surroundings better, making hunting and hiding a little easier. Because the people of particular areas were dressed in similar colors(and generally related in one way or another) the family tartan was born. Not until the wearing of highland dress was outlawed, did the "official" clan tartans really become popular. When my family moved from Scotland after the '45. We were still wearing the MacDonald tartan. So, if I say,after countless generations in North America, that I prefer not to wear the Macalister tartan, does that make me a bad person? No. I don't wear my kilts because I'm flying my team colors. I show my family pride in other ways.By honoring it through wise acts and good deeds.I wear kilts because A: I like them and they are comfortable and B: It's my right to do whatever I please in my pursuit of happiness so long as I'm not a danger to myself or others. This bring e to my next post. Why do YOU wear a kilt?

[macneighill]

Favorite?? I have a few favorites. Of course, the main two are: McNeill of Colonsay and, MacNeil of Barra (of whom my paternal family is associated with). A few others would be, Irish National, Isle of Skye and Firefighter's Memorial.

The only kilt I own, is the one in my avatar. It is the MacNeil of Barra - Ancient. I wear it because of my family's association with the clan. The Irish National because of my family's origins. Isle of Skye because its absolutely a beautiful tartan. And, the Firefighter's Memorial because of my profession and, my respect for my brothers and sisters around the world.

[David H]

I have a MacKenzie due to my GG Grandmothers family being McKinney. My wife and are belong to Clan Henderson so I have a Henderson kilt. Finally, I have a USAF kilt. I wear that one a lot because I am the Post Commander for Patrick Henry Post 76 of the Scottish American Military Society.

I have been searching for months on my next one. I really don't know which one to get. I have my reasons but that is for another thread.