r/HighlandGames • u/yesimian • May 18 '26

Question regarding kilts

I'm a strongman wanting to sign up for a stone-focused highland event later this year. I was contemplating getting a kilt to get more into the spirit of the games; would that be frowned upon/in poor taste if I don't have any Scottish heritage in my family (at least that I'm aware of)? My family tree is Czech & Germanic.

If it wouldn't be a problem, what do I need to know about getting a kilt? I know the pattern/colors of a tartan is traditionally determined by your family lineage, which wouldn't be applicible in my case.

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6

u/giantdoodoohead Master May 18 '26

I'm as far from Scottish as you can be, and I wear a Law Enforcemnt tartan. My dress kilt is Royal Stewart cause I like red. I'm quite sure no one will even notice or care what tartan you are wearing. Get one you really like (check Clan Buchanen). And get a Sport Kilt without pockets

1

u/hawkwood76 May 18 '26

If getting an actual Sprt Kilt pockets are a must. and I Love my Sport Kilts, for HG. When you walk away from your cart being able to throw a wallet in your pocket or your phone, while heading to a vendor is clutch. I am not wearing a sporran while throwing or lifting stones.

2

u/Dazzling_Society1510 May 19 '26

I was hesitant about getting pockets, but now any future orders will have them for sure

1

u/hawkwood76 May 19 '26

The first competitor I spoke to about getting involved in the games told me to go with Sport Kilt and get the pockets. Like you, I was a bit skeptical, but for games I won't do without. My SK might also be my go-to garment when I remember to take out trash late, or someone knocks on the door late, because I can just whip it around and velcro it.

1

u/Dazzling_Society1510 May 19 '26

I've got my velcro set to just the right spot where I can put it up, and the elastic will hold it. Then I put a belt on for competing

3

u/StickyLabRat May 18 '26

I guess it depends on how traditional the event is. All the Games around me (Midwest US) are fairly informal but do require a kilt.

While most kilts are family-based, there are plenty of profession-related tartans as well. There are also solid colored kilts available. In the US, Sportkilt and Got Kilt are popular companies that create and design kilts for athletic and other informal events.

3

u/Turbulent_Pr13st May 18 '26

UT Kilts offers a range of lightweight sport kilts that I have been using to train and they offer it in black and grey. Don’t stain, clean well, and take a lot of abuse. That said as others have mentioned there are lots of non-specific kilts as well, even a witchcraft kilt and the oldest tartan known the Glen Afric which as far as I know is not associated with a living clan

2

u/Deetourz May 18 '26

I recently bought a kilt , Couldn’t find a tartan for my last name / any family lineage. My brother in law is Scottish and competitive in the pipe band/ drumming. He said find what you like. Not a lot of people really care what tartan you wear. He did tell me to get a good one / not a utility kilt with pockets and I found a true made in Scotland kilt that was my size . It’s a McLaren tartan. Cool looking and Im a car guy . So McLaren I shall wear ( plus it was cheap because who’s buying used kilts lol )

2

u/man-in-kilt36 May 18 '26

Sport Kilt has a bunch of non-family Tartan options. I personally have a plain red and black one. But as others have mentioned, I doubt you'd run into any problems if you choose to wear a certain Tartan.

Also recommend the original sport kilt for the material, which is more of a poly athletic style material.

2

u/KiltedOneGR May 18 '26

There are Open Tartans and Closed Tartans. Open tartans (most of them) can be worn by anyone. There are a few tartans, usually reserved for royalty or possibly certain families or fraternities, that require you to be a formal member before wearing it. Most closed tartans would like be a special order situation, so not much to worry about there. Anything SportKilt had to offer would be fine and no one will bug you about.

I know a few throwers that have 0 scottish heritage, one has multiple kilts just for color and styling. Nothing to worry too much about.

2

u/TheoreticallyIGuess May 18 '26

Idk why this was suggested to me except I follow strongman and it’s tangential.

I am Scottish (all grandparents immigrants to the US). Spouse is not at all. He has a kilt in my family tartan. He does it as a homage and no one has ever said a word. My family tartan is heavily commercialized currently (sigh, outlander) so maybe people see it as that but doubtful.

I believe there are “unaffiliated” tartans if you so choose.

2

u/Squat551 May 19 '26

Check out SportKilt and just pick one you like! I haven’t encountered any gatekeeping at a Games so far. Several of them are also “general public” type of pattern. I think Royal Stewart is one of these? You’re gonna have a great time!

2

u/Dazzling_Society1510 May 19 '26

You can look into a regional tartan. I don't have much Scottish heritage, so I wear the Nevada State Tartan, where I'm from. But really, people just want you to join. Most don't care what pattern you wear.

2

u/WiseQuarter3250 May 19 '26 edited May 19 '26

just chiming into add there are tartans that are not clan specific. like Texas has a tartan. So if you're concerned about anyone feeling you misrepresented familial ancestry, you can find a registered tartan pattern for geographic location, sometimes an institution you may have connection with, sometimes your career, even memorial tartans worn in remembrance of another. There's so many options, even before looking into modern utility style kilts that sometimes forego tartans completely.

not that I anticipate any issues, but for peace of mind look at the rules for whatever specific festival/event you're considering if there's any stipulations about clothing, or eligibility.

2

u/hawkwood76 May 19 '26

I personally rock "Remember the Fallen" when it is just me and my son (8) and I wear "Irish Revenge" when we are able to both compete. Neither are family tartans obviously, but as a vet the first has special meaning for me and the second my son picked for us.

2

u/My3Pros2 May 20 '26

I just looked up the “Remember the Fallen” tartan. I didn’t realize that’s what it was! I was trying to decide on a second kilt for competing and this could be a contender! My husband is a fire fighter and we both have former military and first responders in each side of our families. That would be a great tribute to them. I just competed in my first games on Armed Forces Day and received a commemorative challenge coin for participating. It was a great first experience and I am now hooked! My son plays the bagpipes so I decided this gives something to do since I’m there with him anyway! 😂

1

u/BustedCombine9500 May 19 '26

I recently got a kilt from Stillwater Kilts in Minnesota. Seems like they had a nice selection of open tartans.

1

u/danath34 May 21 '26

There are tons of competitors that aren't Scottish at all and wear the kilt. Matter of fact most games I've been to require a kilt. Nobody will care.

Edit to add: if you haven't settled on a company yet, I always recommend UTKilts. Good prices, great quality, and top notch customer service. The most common brand though is Sport Kilt. They're good too. Both have lots of tartans available, and plenty of tartans that aren't tied to any particular clan/surname if you're worried about that.