Give the Gift of Tartan this Christmas

November 02, 2022

With all the uncertainty and upheaval over the past few years, it feels like 2022 is finally the year that Christmas will be normal again. Christmas has long been considered the season for giving, but this year we’re putting a little extra thought into our seasonal shopping. Maybe it’s due to the fact that we want to gift our loved ones something personal and unique, or that we want to make more sustainable choices. Either way, at MacGregor and MacDuff you'll find something for the whole family. We’ve rounded up our favourite tartan treats so you can start ticking gifts...

How is a kilt worn?

October 28, 2022

The kilt is a garment steeped in Scottish history and culture. A simple length of tartan that has been expertly crafted into something iconic, using centuries-old techniques. Kilts are a common sight at Scottish occasions and while worn less in other countries, they are still very well-known and recognised around the world. It’s the kilt’s worldwide popularity that sees people dawn their first kilt and for that reason, we feel it’s our duty to help these new kilt wearers by passing on as much knowledge as we can.

What accessories are needed with a kilt?

September 28, 2022

With highlandwear, the focus is always around the kilt, and rightly so. The tartan, the swing of the pleats, there’s a lot to love about a kilt, but it’s only one piece of the puzzle when it comes to a full highlandwear outfit. A lot of the time, kilt accessories are overlooked or left as an afterthought which is a shame as the accessories are arguably the most fun part of buying a kilt outfit. The accessories are also where you are able to add a touch of personal style to your highlandwear look and therefore should be given as...

How Much Does A Kilt Cost In 2024?

September 21, 2022

How much a kilt will cost is dependent on what type of kilt you choose, and whether you are buying a kilt on its own or as part of a highlandwear package. The initial cost of a kilt on its own is determined by the quantity and type of tartan material that is used to make it. A traditional kilt is made in Scotland from 100% worsted wool. The mill will play a big part in setting the initial cost of your kilt and not all mills are priced the same. When selecting a tartan for your kilt, you will...

The Queen's Tartans

September 13, 2022

The love that our late Queen had for her summers at Balmoral Castle and Scotland, in general, has been well documented, especially over the last few days. Often photographed at the Braemar Highland games or Balmoral Castle, tartan features in many of the photos that we get to see. During her reign, the Queen had been seen in a number of tartans but two, in particular, have an interesting story behind them.   Universal V.S. Restricted Tartans Tartans can be classified into various different categories and those categories have changed over the centuries but for all intents and purposes, today's...

Autumn 2022 at MacGregor and MacDuff

September 07, 2022

After what feels like one of the busiest and warmest summers we’ve had at MacGregor and MacDuff, the rain and clouds have sadly returned and we’ve found ourselves reflecting on all of the excitement we’ve had. As well as looking forward to the last portion of the year. This summer was exciting for a lot of people, weddings and other events finally we're back in full force and we loved seeing everyone’s photos. Our team took part in the Glasgow Kiltwalk and were able to work closely with many of our amazing partners. Before we know it, we will be...

Kirsty & Dave's Big Day

August 03, 2022

With so many weddings happening this year we started writing blogs about some of our customer's big days. These blogs have been a great way to gain some insight into our customers' experiences. This blog is a similar type of story, but instead of it being about one of our customer's wedding experiences, it’s about mine!

Ex-Hire Bargains

July 29, 2022

Our kilt ex-hire range is constantly being updated. When a hire product comes back to us after an event, it is inspected and a decision on whether or not it is kept in service or moved into ex-hire is made. This means that new kilts, jackets and accessories are added to ex-hire all the time.

Handfast for a year and a day

July 22, 2022

Handfasting is becoming more and more popular at Scottish wedding ceremonies. The ancient ritual of Celtic handfasting would have been seen as a sort of pre-marriage or trial run before both parties committed to the sanctity of marriage. The handfasting ceremony would validify the couple's commitment to each other for a year and one day, after which they would then decide if they want to continue the relationship and get married or go their own ways. The handfasting ceremony would also be seen as a public declaration that both parties were officially ‘off the market’ and rival suitors should back off.

Why do Scots wear kilts?

July 14, 2022

The Dress Act of 1746 banned the wearing of Highland dress, including kilts and tartan, in response to the Jacobite uprising. Highland clans, led by Bonnie Prince Charlie, sought to restore the Stuart crown but ultimately lost. As punishment, the British government aimed to dismantle Highland and clan culture through the Dress Act. Repealed in 1782, the repeal spurred aristocratic Scots to establish Highland societies to celebrate their heritage.Before the Dress Act, kilts were primarily worn by Highlanders. However, the decades following its repeal saw a surge in kilt-wearing for formal occasions among Scots nationwide. Initially, kilts were a luxury...

Do the Irish wear kilts?

July 05, 2022

Do the Irish wear kilts? Well, the short answer is yes but the full answer is slightly more complicated. Scotland's’ history with kilts began almost 500 years ago. The first mention of kilts in historical texts was in 1538 and this would have been in reference to the great kilt. The kilt as we know it today (or the fèileadh beag) has been worn in Scotland since the late 17th century. Ireland's relationship with the kilt is relatively new and while there is still much debate about the Irish kilt’s origin, it’s thought that the people of Ireland adopted the kilt around...

The Mastery of Kiltmaking

June 22, 2022

Instantly recognisable all over the world, the kilt has become an important element of Scottish identity. Known not only for its undeniable Scottishness but also the expert craftsmanship that goes into creating one. A seemingly simple few yards of tartan cloth stitched into something complex and beautiful. Since the birth of the feileadh beag, which is what the kilt we know today was called, knowledge of how to create such an intricate garment was passed down through the generations. Each kiltmaker would have taught their children or apprentices the craft and the cycle continued over hundreds of years. Now that the internet...