Ken W. MacDonald

Ken W. MacDonald

Ken MacDonald at Sma' Shotts Cottage, Paisley
Born Kenneth William MacDonald
21 February 1959 (1959-02-21) (age 53)
Paisley, Scotland, United Kingdom
Residence Kilmacolm, Scotland
Nationality British
Occupation Kiltmaker and Tartan Designer
Years active 1975–Present
Spouse Louise MacDonald (m. 1982–present) «start: (1982-07-03)»"Marriage: Louise MacDonald to Ken W. MacDonald" Location: (linkback:http://localhost../../../../articles/k/e/n/Ken_W._MacDonald_edea.html)
Children Ewan William MacDonald
(born 1986)
Callum Fraser MacDonald
(born 1989)
Rhona Ishbel MacDonald
(born 1995)
Website
http://www.kiltmakers.com
http://www.kiltsforhire.com
http://www.americannationaltartan.com

Kenneth W. MacDonald (born 21 February 1959) is a Scottish businessman, best known for his work within the Scottish tartan industry as owner of Houston Traditional Kiltmakers, Paisley.[1] He currently serves as a Governor of the Scottish Tartans Authority.[2]

Contents

Early life

MacDonald was born in Paisley, the son of Hugh Lawson MacDonald and Eileen Douglas MacDonald (née Houston). MacDonald was educated at Dardenne Preparatory School, Kilmacolm and then Keil School, Dumbarton. At the age of 16, MacDonald left school with few qualifications and entered the family business, Wm Houston Gentlemans Outfitters, Paisley as a sales assistant.

Business career

After entering the family business, MacDonald built up its reputation as a leading retailer of quality menswear. In 1988 he was responsible for designing the Glasgow Garden Festival staff uniform. MacDonald later incorporated the uniform colours of grey, yellow and red into the Glasgow's Miles Better tartan.[3] Kilts in this tartan were made for Prince William and Prince Harry and presented by him to Charles, Prince of Wales.

Other noted tartans designed by MacDonald include the Bute Heather tartan collection which was registered with the Scottish Register of Tartans in 2004.[4] The range includes the variations on Bute Heather of Ancient, Autumn, Black, Grey, Midnight, Modern and Weathered.[5]

MacDonald famously designed the American National Tartan which was presented to George W. Bush to commemorate Tartan day.[6]

Aside from his role in the highland wear industry, MacDonald acts as a senior representative, along with other individual businesses, in the Paisley Vision Board whose remit is to lead the regeneration of Paisley town centre.[7]

References

  1. ^ "Houton Traditional Kiltmakers". kiltmakers.com. http://www.kiltmakers.com. Retrieved 9 November 2010. 
  2. ^ "Who's Who?". Scottish Tartans Authority. http://www.tartansauthority.com/membership/about-the-sta/whos-who. Retrieved 6 November 2010. 
  3. ^ "Tartan Details - Glasgow's Miles Better". The Scottish Register of Tartans. http://www.tartanregister.gov.uk/tartanDetails.aspx?ref=1361. Retrieved 9 November 2010. 
  4. ^ "Tartan Details". The Scottish Register of Tartans. http://www.tartanregister.gov.uk/tartanDetails.aspx?ref=455. Retrieved 6 October 2010. 
  5. ^ "Bute Heather". Scottish Register of Tartans. http://www.tartanregister.gov.uk/qResults.aspx?searchString=BUTE%20HEATHER. Retrieved 9 November 2010. 
  6. ^ "American National Tartan". www.americannationaltartan.com. http://www.americannationaltartan.com/about.asp. Retrieved 6 November 2010. 
  7. ^ "Paisley Vision Board". Renfrewshire Council. http://www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/ilwwcm/publishing.nsf/Content/pt-as-PaisleyVisionBoard. Retrieved 6 November 2010. 

External links