When were kilts invented?

May 17, 2023

The relationship between Scotland and its kilts goes back many centuries, however, the date in which kilts were first invented, is rather unknown. The first documented mention of the féileadh-mór (or great kilt) can be found in books dating back to the 1500’s. As you can imagine, the great kilts' popularity woul…

Wedding Guide 2023

May 11, 2023

Wedding season is approaching full bloom and we’re kilting up more grooms and guests every week. Nowadays more than ever we find that couples are looking for ways to make their day unique and personal and highlandwear is an ideal way to do that. Although tartan and kilts are often seen as very traditi…

Spotlight on Our Mist Tartans

May 03, 2023

Inspired by the breathtaking scenery it’s so famous for, our exclusive Mist Tartans pay tribute to Scotland’s most iconic locations. Our first Mist was launched in 2009 and the collection embodies the contemporary style we champion. Versatile and stylish, our Mist tartans are universal so can be worn by anyone, re…

Design Your Own Tartan

April 26, 2023

Scotland’s relationship with tartan spans centuries, from traditional Clan tartans to modern universal tartans, Scotland is a more colourful place thanks to these simple cloth designs. There are thought to be upwards of 7,000 different tartans and variations on record which really puts the significance of tartan i…

How To Wear a Kilt Casually

April 19, 2023

Traditional highlandwear outfits are most commonly worn to formal events like weddings and other black tie events. The swing of the pleats, the different colours of tartan and all the accessories make for a much more interesting outfit than a plain suit. While it’s ultimately down to personal preference, as a ru…

Harris Mist Tartan Takeover

April 12, 2023

From designing and weaving the tartan to launching our collection, sharing our new Harris Mist tartan has been a proud moment for the whole team at MacGregor and MacDuff. With every department involved in some way or another and having had such a great reaction to the design, we wanted to do so…

Natalie and Arran Balsillie's Big Day

April 04, 2023

Natalie and Arran tied the knot last December and were kind enough to share their story with us for this blog. Arran and Natalie are actually close friends of Dave, who works in the marketing department here at MacGregor and MacDuff. Dave was invited to the wedding and when he returned to work after the c…

Glasgow Caledonian Tartan Project

March 30, 2023

Home to the most NHS healthcare graduates in Scotland, Glasgow Caledonian University is known for pushing both practical skills and creativity. The university has a great reputation for offering specialist degrees such as Fashion Marketing and Business Management, which focus largely on employability…

Celebrating Scottish Ancestry

March 23, 2023

We were recently approached by a newspaper to answer a few questions about the wearing of kilts by non-Scots. In our answers, we discussed that as long as highlandwear is worn properly and not as a joke, cultural appropriation isn’t an issue. We have mentioned previously that we see non-Scots wearing kilts…

Tartan & St. Patrick's Day

March 14, 2023

People all around the world will be heading out this Friday to celebrate one of the biggest party nights of the year, St. Patrick's day. While I’m sure that there are some people that use St. Patrick as an excuse to have a good time, he has been a significant part of Irish history and culture since the seventh century.…

The Kings of Kilts on Harris

March 08, 2023

Our new Harris Mist tartan has launched across our purchase range of highlandwear products and the response has been spectacular. Once it finally launches in our hire range on the 1st of June, it might just top the list as our most popular tartan. We have to admit, this is pretty exciting but when you look…

Will The Traditional Craft Of Kilt Making Go Extinct?

March 01, 2023

From clay pipe making to straw working, thanks to roughly 12 millennia of continuous inhabitation, Britain’s long history has produced a plethora of traditional crafts. However, due to modernisation, many of these crafts have fallen away and become extinct. Whether this is because there are now easier ways to m…

What is tartan?

February 22, 2023

Tartan is a traditional Scottish fabric pattern characterized by intersecting lines and vibrant colors running both horizontally and vertically. Originating in Scotland as early as the 3rd century, tartan plays a crucial role in Scotland's culture and history. Each Scottish clan historically had its own unique tartan pat…

Valentine's Day Style

February 14, 2023

It’s Valentine's Day and we’re looking forward to making many dream weddings come to life as well as spreading some love with our Scottish gifts. Keep reading for our guide to Valentine’s Day style, timeless gifts and Scottish touches to make your wedding day unforgettable.

Are Kilts Warm?

February 08, 2023

During this time of the year, when the days start to get a little longer, our minds start to drift toward thinking about our summer plans. Unfortunately, these thoughts are usually interrupted when we walk outside and realise that the current temperature is only barely above freezing. While we still have a long wa…

Our Harris Mist Tartan

February 01, 2023

The earliest known example of tartan in Scotland is a small piece of fabric called the Falkirk Tartan. The piece of cloth was found in a pot alongside 2,000 silver coins and was named the Falkirk Tartan due to its discovery location at Bell’s Meadow, near Falkirk. The cloth is estimated to be roughly 1,700 years ol…

How To Wear a Kilt

January 24, 2023

When it comes to wearing a kilt, there’s really only one thing you can get completely wrong and that's by wearing the pleats at the front. If your kilt sits a little high or a little low, you’ll be forgiven, but if you wear a kilt with the pleats at the front, you’ll never hear the end of it. For seasoned kilt wearers, it may be a…

Kilt Fittings In the Outer Hebrides

January 18, 2023

It was back in 2015 when MacGregor and MacDuff first came up with the idea of taking the kilt shop experience on the road. The plan was simple, take our expertly crafted range of highlandwear to people who don’t live near a kilt shop. After looking at a few different locations, London was chosen as our first d…

Why do the Scots celebrate Burns Night?

January 10, 2023

‘Some hae meat an canna eat, And some wad eat that want it; But we hae meat, and we can eat, And sae the Lord be thankit.’ Anyone who has attended a Burns Supper and even some of those who haven’t will recognise this famous prayer. It’s called the Selkirk Grace and is most commonly heard at Burns Su…

Vivienne Westwood's Tartans

January 04, 2023

The world of fashion lost an icon last week with the passing of designer Vivienne Westwood. A true pioneer of British fashion, Westwood became synonymous with a punk style that was feminine and radical. The inclusion of tartan is one of the most recognisable aspects of her designs, making them both quintesse…

Step into New Year Style

January 03, 2023

With the new year officially here, there’s no better time for a fresh start and the same goes for your wardrobe! When it comes to highlandwear, there are so many different style combinations and accessories that you can always find a way to make your outfits feel like new. If it’s time for a style refresh, look no f…

Christmas at the Kings of Kilts

December 20, 2022

As Christmas draws ever closer, we’re taking a moment to appreciate the festive window displays of our stores. With last minute Christmas hires and winter weddings still in full swing in, these striking displays are a little moment of calm.

A Very Scottish Christmas

December 19, 2022

It’s that time again, Christmas is nearly here and the Kings of Kilts are ready to celebrate! From international fitting services to a new store in the Scottish capital, this year has been busier than ever and we couldn't have done any of it without the support of our wonderful customers. While there’s a lot to look…

Who Makes the Best Kilts in Scotland?

December 12, 2022

Scotland is home to many esteemed kiltmakers, but MacGregor and MacDuff’s craftsmanship and customer service stands out amongst the rest. Perfecting their craftsmanship for over 40 years and celebrated for their bespoke service, MacGregor and MacDuff is a top choice in Scotland and thanks to their Virtu…