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 Repealed in 1782, the repeal spurred aristocratic Scots to establish Highland societies to celebrate their heritage.Before the Dress Act, kilts were primarily worn by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...

Elizabeth & Jimmy's Big Day

June 15, 2022

Another beautiful couple has graciously offered to share their wedding story with all us. Elizabeth & Jimmy (quite literally) tied the knot in a Castle in Ireland. Jimmy chose to wear Silver Mist with a Glen Orchy tweed jacket. 

MacGregor and MacDuff Goes Global

June 08, 2022

Our flights are booked, our bags are packed and we are once again heading across the pond this September and October. With our last visit to New York City a roaring success, we have decided to return to the big apple this year. Not only that, while on our travels, we will be stopping in Toronto for a week of kilt fittings. To say we are excited is an understatement, we are over the moon and simply can’t wait! Macgregor and MacDuff is a Scottish master kiltmaker with a very Scottish name, but what most people don’t know is that...

How far in advance should I hire a kilt?

June 01, 2022

Kilts have been worn in Scotland for centuries. First, as the Feileadh Mòr or great kilt and worn only by highlanders and then as the kilt we know today, from the around late 17th century. However, it wasn't until the 19th century that the kilt had its great revival and its popularity soared. From this period onwards, kilts became more and more common, not as everyday wear but worn at special occasions. That popularity hasn’t slowed down, quite the opposite has happened and kilts today are arguably more in demand than in any other period of history. At least in Scotland,...

Eilidh & Stuart’s Big Day

May 18, 2022

Eilidh and Stuart recently got married at the Seamill Hydro in Ayrshire and from the photos, it looked like the perfect day.

How to Care For Your Kilt

May 13, 2022

A MacGregor and MacDuff a kilt can last for generations thanks to the high-quality wool and expert craftsmanship that goes into making each of them. However, a kilt isn’t like a pair of jeans or your favourite shirt, it needs to be stored and looked after properly for it to last long enough to be passed down.

London Kilt Fittings 2022

May 04, 2022

After all the restrictions, postponements, and cancellations over the past couple of years, it’s been brilliant seeing so many weddings and events finally getting to go ahead. Our shops have never been busier, filled with smiling, excited faces, and the same has been seen at our pop-up kilt fitting service in London.

Lou and Shaf’s Big Day

April 27, 2022

There’s nothing better than hearing the stories of our customer's special day, and as weddings are a big part of what we do, we get to hear a lot of them! While the stories themselves are brilliant, we’ve noticed that these brides and grooms actually hold a lot of great advice for other people who are still on their wedding journey.

How To Accessorise A Kilt

April 20, 2022

A kilt on its own is a marvel of expert craftsmanship. Everything about it, the tartan design, the process of milling the fabric, the perfectly folded pleats, it’s a truly masterful piece of clothing and the fact that it’s known around the world is testament to that. However, a kilt by itself isn’t complete and the various accessories that go with it are just as important to fully achieve the highlandwear look.