Saint Andrew's Day

November 09, 2021

With Saint Andrew’s day around the corner, it seemed only fitting that we take a brief look into our patron saint and his relationship with Scotland. Learn how St. Andrew became the Patron Saint of Scotland and the best outfit to wear at your St. Andrew's Day party.

Connecting With Cornish Tartan

November 02, 2021

Since the late 20th century there’s been a revival of Cornish heritage which has encouraged an uptake in the Cornish language as well as the use of the Cornish tartan and kilt wearing. Cornwall has a unique heritage and is considered one of Celtic nations much like Scotland, Ireland and Wales. In 2014 Cornwall was officially recognised by the UK government as a national minority. Seen as a slightly more modern tradition that started in the mid 20th century, the first Cornish kilts were plain black with tartan variations to follow. Although considered a modern tradition, there are carvings on bench...

What to wear at Burns Supper

October 27, 2021

As we start to make plans for Burns Supper we thought we should give you an idea of what to wear during the festivities. If it wasn’t obvious already, a kilt is your go-to choice for a Burns Supper but to be a little more specific, a traditional kilt outfit is recommended.

Ex-Hire Kilts

October 26, 2021

A kilt is often considered an investment as a well made one will last a lifetime. This is mainly down to what kilts are made from which is worsted wool. Worsted wool is one of the world's most durable fabrics and is naturally water resistant which historically made it the perfect material for kilts. Coupled with the expert craftsmanship of a kiltmaker, a kilt could indeed last a lifetime or even longer if cared for correctly. While kilts might be a great investment, they can be quite costly which doesn’t always fit in peoples budgets.  Hiring is a great alternative to...

Clans Of The Month

October 14, 2021

Clan Abercrombie What is the Abercrombie Clan Motto? The Abercrombie Clan motto is Petit Alta (He aims at high things). What is the Abercrombie Clan history? William de Abercromby (spelled Haberchrumbie), and Johan de Abercromby rendered homage to Edward I of England in 1296 for lands in the parish of Abercromby in Fife. The original lineage of the Abercrombies went extinct in the mid-seventeenth century and the Abercrombies of Birkenbog became the representatives of the name.  In the 1500’s the Abercrombie name was intrinsically connected to the Catholic faith with many Abercrombies fiercely opposing the protestant faith during the Reformation. During...

Design Your Own Tartan

October 08, 2021

With weddings and events back in the diary, there has never been a better time to stand out from the crowd. With our tartan design service you don’t choose between modern or ancient, you choose bespoke. Design your very own tartan and have it officially registered in The Scottish Register of Tartans. Designing a tartan from scratch may seem like a complicated process but with the help of our in-house tartan designer, it couldn’t be easier.  The first step once you have decided that you want to design your own tartan is to get in touch with us. Our tartan...

What is a Sgian Dubh?

September 22, 2021

Often spelled Skean Dhu, a Sgian Dubh is a traditional Scottish, single-edged knife which is worn as part of a highland wear outfit. The words Sgian Dubh directly translated from Gaelic means black (dubh) dagger (sgian). Traditionally a sgian dubh would have been the everyday knife that was small enough to be carried in a pocket or sporran. It was used for all manner of things like cutting rope, food or material but it was also used for protection.Unlike a dirk which was a long bladed knife worn on the belt, a sgian dubh could be retained for protection in...

Kilt Shop In London

September 16, 2021

London has a population of roughly 8.9 million people which is about 3 million more people than that of the entire population of Scotland. London is a multinational city that draws people in from all over the world, including from Scotland. There are a large number of Scots or people with a Scottish connection that live in London and for that reason, in 2015, MacGregor and MacDuff decided to open our London Fitting Service. The lack of traditional Highlandwear shops in London is understandable but what that meant was Scottish-London residents would have to travel back to Scotland every time...

Tartan Shawls and Stoles - What's the difference?

September 09, 2021

A growing trend is for brides and wedding guests to add a shawl or stole to their outfit in a matching tartan to their partner's kilt. A tartan stole or shawl is the perfect accessory to add a touch of tartan to any outfit no matter the occasion but what is the difference between the two options? MacGregor and MacDuff sell both tartan shawls and stoles which are made from 100% worsted wool. They are available in a choice of over 4,000 different tartans which means you’ll be able to match them to any kilt or colour scheme. Where both...

How should i store my kilt?

August 25, 2021

A kilt is an investment and with proper care, will last for generations. To give your kilt the best chance of lasting a long time it’s important that it is stored properly.  After you have worn your kilt and you are ready to store it away until the next event, the first thing you should do is make sure that it is aired thoroughly. Moisture can be absorbed by your kilt from sweat, a drink spill or even by just being worn in a high humidity room. If there is moisture in the kilt when it is stored, mildew can...

Why choose an online appointment?

August 19, 2021

Buying a kilt has always been a fairly involved process with trips to the kilt store to browse through the tartan books, as well as getting those all important measurements taken. This process has been the same for hundreds of years up until relatively recently. With the accessibility of the internet these days, the need to physically go into a kilt store has become less of a necessity and more of an option. Today you can visit our online shop and buy a full kilt outfit without ever stepping into one of our stores or pop-up shops. It’s especially handy...

Clans of the Month

August 12, 2021

Clan Douglas Where were the Clan Douglas from? Clan Douglas was one of the most powerful clans in Scotland but never powerful enough to be a threat to the Scottish monarchy. Clan Douglas was originally a lowland Clan with land in Lanarkshire but the Douglas territories extended throughout Scotland and even as far as France and Sweden.  What is the Clan Douglas motto? The Douglas Clan Motto is  “Jamais Arrière” which means “Never Behind”. Who was Sir James Douglas? During the War of Independence in the late 13th century, The "Good" Sir James Douglas or "Black Douglas'' became King Robert...