Highland Kilt Company Blog | Tartan Guides, Kilt Tips & Celtic Heritage Stories

A sporran is a traditional part of Scottish Highland dress, typically worn with a kilt. Here are some tips to help you choose the right sporran for your needs:

1. Consider the occasion: There are different types of sporrans for different occasions. A dress sporran, for example, is more formal and is often worn for weddings, while a day sporran is less formal and suitable for everyday wear.

2. Consider the design: Sporrans come in different designs, from simple leather ones to those adorned with fur, tassels, and other decorations. Choose one that matches your personal style and the occasion.

3. Check the quality: Make sure the sporran is well made and of good quality materials. A high-quality sporran will last longer and look better than a cheaper one.

4. Look for functionality: Consider what you will be carrying in your sporran. If you need to carry a lot of items, look for one with larger space. If you only need to carry a few small items, a simpler sporran may be more suitable.

Overall, when choosing a sporran, consider the occasion, size, design, quality, and functionality to ensure you select the right one for your needs.

Choosing a tartan for a kilt can be a fun and meaningful process. Here are some steps to help you choose the right tartan:

1. Consider your heritage: Many people choose a tartan that reflects their family's clan or tartan. If you have Scottish or Celtic ancestry, you may want to research your family's history and find a tartan that represents your heritage.
2. Choose a universal tartan: There are many universal tartans available, like Black Watch, Irish Heritage, Scottish Heritage, etc. which are not specifically connected to any family and make nice options for everyone.
3. Choose based on color scheme: Tartans come in a wide variety of colors, so you may want to consider what colors you like or what colors would look best on you. You could also choose colors that have personal meaning or significance.
4. Consider the occasion: If you are planning to wear the kilt for a specific occasion, such as a wedding or a formal event, you may want to choose a tartan that is appropriate for the occasion. For example, often bridal parties will opt for a universal tartan for groomsmen, while the groom wears his family tartan.
5. Consider your budget: We have many kilt options at HighlandKilt.com. Our budget kilts start under $50, but are only available in a limited range of tartan options. Our Premium Kilt Range offers around 170 tartans in stock and ready to ship. And we offer over 500 tartans in our high end, custom made wool kilt range.
6. Seek advice: If you are unsure about which tartan to choose, seek advice from a kilt retailer or kilt maker. They can help you identify appropriate tartans and provide guidance on the best weight and material for your needs. 

Ultimately, the tartan you choose should be one that you feel comfortable and confident wearing, and one that has personal meaning or significance to you. If you need any assistance choosing a tartan, contact us anytime for guidance!

Tartan Day is a celebration of Scottish heritage and culture that is observed on April 6th each year. It is a day when people of Scottish descent and those who appreciate Scottish culture come together to celebrate and recognize the contributions of Scottish immigrants to North America.

The origins of Tartan Day can be traced back to the late 20th century, when the Scottish community in Canada began to promote April 6th as a day to celebrate Scottish heritage. This date was chosen because it marks the anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Arbroath in 1320, which is a historic document that asserted Scotland's independence from England.

Over time, Tartan Day has become a widely recognized holiday in North America, with many cities hosting parades, festivals, and other events to celebrate Scottish culture. It is also observed in other parts of the world, such as Australia and New Zealand, where there are large communities of Scottish immigrants or people of Scottish descent.

Even if you're not participating in a larger event, Tartan Day is still a lovely chance to celebrate Scottish culture and heritage by wearing tartan. You could opt to wear a kilt or skirt in your family tartan, or in one of the many universal tartans available. Adding a tartan sash or wrap are also great ways to wear the tartan on April 6th! However you choose to celebrate Tartan Day, HighlandKilt.com has something for you!

While kilts are traditionally associated with Scottish culture, they can also be worn on St. Patrick's Day as a way to celebrate Irish heritage and culture. If you are planning to wear a kilt for St. Patrick's Day, here are some tips to keep in mind:

1. Choose a tartan: We have several Irish tartans to choose from, including St. Patrick, Tara, Irish Heritage, and more. Or you may want to choose a tartan that features green or other colors associated with Ireland, such as white or orange. Alternatively, you can choose a tartan based on personal preference or family heritage.

2. Wear appropriate clothing: If you are wearing a kilt for St. Patrick's Day, you may want to pair it with other items that reflect Irish culture and tradition, such as a green sweater, a white shirt, or an Irish-themed tie. A tweed jacket or blazer can also be worn for a more formal look.

3. Consider the weather: St. Patrick's Day can be chilly in some parts of the world, so be sure to dress appropriately for the weather. You can wear a kilt with knee-high socks or kilt hose to keep your legs warm, and add a scarf, tartan sash, or hat for extra warmth.

4. Accessories: To complete your St. Patrick's Day outfit, you can add accessories such as a sporran, a belt, or a brooch. You can also wear a green or orange tie or scarf, or add an Irish themed kilt pin for a festive touch.

Remember, wearing a kilt on St. Patrick's Day is a way to celebrate Irish culture and heritage, so wear it with respect and pride. Enjoy the festivities and have fun!

Wearing a kilt can be a bit tricky if you're not used to it, but with a little practice, you can easily master it. Here are the steps to follow:

1. Put on your kilt hose or socks: Before you put on your kilt, you'll need to put on your kilt hose or socks. These are knee-high socks that are usually made of wool or cotton. They should be folded over at the top to create a cuff that sits just below your knee.

2. Put on your ghillie brogues: Ghillie brogues are a type of traditional Scottish shoe that laces up the ankle. They are often worn with kilts and are designed to be comfortable and flexible. Make sure they are securely laced up.

3. Put on your kilt: Wrap you kilt around you, with the pleats in the back. Make sure the top of the kilt sits just below your rib cage. The apron (the flat piece of fabric at the front of the kilt) should be centered at the front of your body.

4. Fasten the kilt: Using the straps on either side of the kilt, fasten it securely around your waist. The left strap should be passed over to the right hip, while the right strap should be passed over to the left hip. Buckle the straps at the sides of your waist, making sure the kilt is snug but not too tight.

5. The bottom of the apron should sit just above or at the center of your knee.

6. Add a sporran: A sporran is a traditional Scottish pouch that is worn at the front of the kilt. It's typically made of leather or fur and is used to carry small items. The sporran should be positioned in the center of the apron, just below the waistband.

7. Adjust the pleats: Finally, adjust the pleats of the kilt so that they are evenly spaced and lying flat. They should be facing towards the back of your body. Once you've done this, you're ready to go!

Note: Some kilts may arrive with a loose running stitch along the bottom of the pleats. This is for shipping purposes only and should be removed before wearing.

Well one good thing about stay at home orders is it has given me time to get some updates to the website! We've added a whole bunch of new tartan kilts, including: Clan Keith, MacArthur, MacCauley, MacDonald Ancient, MacIntyre Hunting, MacLachlan Modern, MacLaren Ancient, MacMillan Hunting, MacNaughton, MacPhee, Malcolm, Maxwell, Montgomery, Muir, Muirhead, Munro, Ross Hunting Muted, Turnbull, and more. We've also added the leather kilts so many have been requesting!

The updates will be continuing over the coming weeks, including more budget kilts, new items, exciting new product lines, and more. Keep checking back to see all the wonderful kilted goodness coming your way!

Some of the questions we are commonly asked here at Highland Kilt Company are “Which tartan do I choose for my kilt based on my name?” and “I don’t have a clan, which kilts are appropriate for me to wear?”. In this post, we’ll explain a bit about tartan backgrounds and options!

If you would like to go with something that ties into your own family history for your kilt, and your last name is common like MacDonald or your Grandmother was a Wallace, then not much research is required. You’ll be able to find those tartans right away using the search function in our upper left corner. If your last name is MacDonald AND your Grandmother was a Wallace, the good news is feel free to choose either tartan for your kilt!

Clans also have what are called Septs, or other family names which fall under them. If you don’t see you Clan via our search or on our Scottish Kilts page, we can look up your (or your ancestors) Scottish surname to see if they fall under another Clan to help determine your tartan. For instance, Robinson is a Sept of the Gunn clan, etc. (For an interesting read as to why that is, here you go: http://skyelander.orgfree.com/gunnsept.html).

If you have several Scottish ancestors, feel free to pick whichever you prefer for your kilt. I have several, including MacGregor, MacKay, and MacLeod, and am a Sept of MacDonald, so I rotate among them often!

Some Scottish clans do not have their own tartan, but rather fall under District tartans like Glasgow District, etc. Many of these can be a bit harder to find ‘off the rack’, but the premise is they are tied to an area, not a name. Some names may have no tartan suggestion at all. But never fear: universal tartans are here!

If you have a harder to find clan tartan, district tartan, or if you prefer to wear a kilt without clan ties, the many universal tartans we carry at Highland Kilt Company will appeal to you. Black Watch (or Government Sett) is a very popular tartan, and other universal tartans include Hunting Stewart, Grey Watch, Brown Watch, Highland Grey, etc. Many people will choose a universal tartan kilt for wedding parties as well to create a uniform look, or as a secondary kilt in addition to their Clan tartan.

Few Irish tartans are tied to family names but are more universal/District based tartans. Tara and Ulster are both good examples of this, with Tara representing the Irish Midlands, and Ulster representing the North of Ireland. Saffron and Solid Green are also excellent historically Irish choices.

Lastly: the most important thing is you choose a tartan you like for your kilt! That is all that matters. We’re here to guide you through that process of purchasing your kilt and selecting your tartan. Contact us today to get started!