My Tartans
What will you wear?
The question is often on the minds of people who procure my services...and if they don't ask then it is most definitely on my mind. Below are a list of tartans which make up my current kilted wardrobe.
Campbell (Black Watch)
The Scottish Register of Tartans records the Campbell tartan as Scottish Tartan Authority (STA) reference #1 and dates back to before 1725. The tartan was appointed for the Highland Companies in 1725 and later for the Black Watch in 1739. However, it may in fact have been worn by the Campbells at an earlier date. There is a strong possibility that many others wore the sett or something similar before the idea of distinctive clan tartans took hold. This tartan is worn by the present Duke of Argyll (Chief of Clan Campbell), who has approved the sett. The Black Watch is the same sett but dyed in darker shades.
I own two kilts in this sett. One is the brighter Campbell and the other is the darker dyed Black Watch.
MacDairmid (MacDermott)
The Scottish Register of Tartans records the MacDairmid tartan as Scottish Tartan Authority (STA) reference #1180. The MacDiarmids (Note: the anglicised spelling of MacDairmid is MacDermott) are a sept of Clan Campbell. The tartan was first published by W & A.K.Johnston in 1906, in 'The Tartans of the Clans and Septs of Scotland'. The author, H. Whyte, introduced many previously unrecorded tartans including 'Dress' and 'Hunting' tartans of both clans and septs of clans. It is likely this tartan was one of the many "manufactured" setts marketed as belonging to a specific family when the wearing of the tartan became fashionable in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
I own one kilt in this sett. It was made by House of Edgar and the red elements are closer to orange in my kilt.
MacKinzie
The Scottish Register of Tartans records the MacKinzie tartan as Scottish Tartan Authority (STA) reference #267. In addition to being the tartan of clan MacKinzie, it is also the regimental tartan of the Seaforth Highlanders, who were raised by MacKenzie, Earl of Seaforth, in 1778, making it a very old tartan, possibly as old as the Campbell. The MacKinze is also the tartan of choice for the Miami Valley Pipes and Drums.
I own two kilts in this sett. One in worsted wool, made by House of Edgar, and the other in rustic homespun.
MacDonald, Lord of the Isle
This sett, commonly known as MacDonald, Lord of the Isle, is listed with the Scottish Register of Tartans records as MacDonald Hunting and assigned Scottish World Tartan Register (SWTR) reference # 2209. This tartan is the tartan of choice for McGuire's Pipes and Drums of Pensacola Florida.
I own one kilt in this sett. It is a retired band kilt, and a little worn, but still serviceable.
US Air Force Reserve Pipe Band
The Scottish Register of Tartans records the US Air Force Reserve Pipe Band tartan as Scottish Tartan Authority (STA) reference # 2437. It was one of a series of US Military tartans woven exclusively by the Strathmore Woollen Company of Forfar and adopted by the Band of the Air Force Reserve, Georgia, USA in the early 1990s. While it has has no official US Military recognition, it has been widely accepted by US airmen and their families as the "unofficial" Air Force tartan. Originally called 'Lady Jane of St Cirus', the design was adopted by the members of the Band of the Air Force Reserve (with Strathmore's agreement).
I own one kilt in this sett, made by J. Higgins.
Utility Kilt
While not a tartan kilt, the utility kilt is a kilt all the same. Typically made of canvas, denim, or leather, the utility kilt boast a modern look and something no other kilt had...pockets!
I own one utility kilt, in tan cotton canvas, made by Got Kilt.