Ken W. MacDonald
Encyclopedia
Kenneth W. MacDonald is a Scottish businessman, best known for his work within the Scottish tartan industry as owner of Houston Traditional Kiltmakers, Paisley. He currently serves as a Governor of the Scottish Tartans Authority
.
, 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.
staff uniform. MacDonald later incorporated the uniform colours of grey, yellow and red into the Glasgow's Miles Better tartan. 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. The range includes the variations on Bute Heather of Ancient, Autumn, Black, Grey, Midnight, Modern and Weathered.
MacDonald famously designed the American National Tartan which was presented to George W. Bush
to commemorate Tartan day
.
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.
Scottish Tartans Authority
The Scottish Tartans Authority is a Scottish based organisation dedicated to promoting the knowledge of Scottish tartans. It was first formed in 1995 by former members of the Scottish Tartans Society. The Scottish Tartans Authority maintains a database, called the International Tartan Index, with...
.
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 SchoolKeil School
Keil School, in Dumbarton, Scotland, opened on 29 November, 1915 as Kintyre Technical College, at Keil House, Southend, near Campbelltown in Argyll. After a fire destroyed the original building in Southend it was relocated and opened in Dumbarton as Keil School in 1925. The school took a lease on...
, 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 FestivalGlasgow Garden Festival
The Glasgow Garden Festival was the third of the United Kingdom's five National Garden Festivals, and the only one to take place in Scotland.It was held in Glasgow between 26 April and 26 September 1988...
staff uniform. MacDonald later incorporated the uniform colours of grey, yellow and red into the Glasgow's Miles Better tartan. Kilts in this tartan were made for Prince William and Prince Harry and presented by him to Charles, Prince of Wales
Charles, Prince of Wales
Prince Charles, Prince of Wales is the heir apparent and eldest son of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. Since 1958 his major title has been His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales. In Scotland he is additionally known as The Duke of Rothesay...
.
Other noted tartans designed by MacDonald include the Bute Heather tartan
Tartan
Tartan is a pattern consisting of criss-crossed horizontal and vertical bands in multiple colours. Tartans originated in woven wool, but now they are made in many other materials. Tartan is particularly associated with Scotland. Scottish kilts almost always have tartan patterns...
collection which was registered with the Scottish Register of Tartans in 2004. The range includes the variations on Bute Heather of Ancient, Autumn, Black, Grey, Midnight, Modern and Weathered.
MacDonald famously designed the American National Tartan which was presented to George W. Bush
George W. Bush
George Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 43rd President of the United States, from 2001 to 2009. Before that, he was the 46th Governor of Texas, having served from 1995 to 2000....
to commemorate Tartan day
Tartan Day
Tartan Day is a celebration of Scottish heritage on April 6, the date on which the Declaration of Arbroath was signed in 1320. A one-off event was held in New York City in 1982, but the current format originated in Canada in the mid 1980s. It spread to other communities of the Scottish diaspora in...
.
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.