Sam Heughan Spotted Wearing Custom MacKinnon Tartan Watch at NYC Tartan Day

Key Takeaways

• Sam Heughan, star of Outlander and Grand Marshal of the NYC Tartan Day Parade, wore a custom MacKinnon watch made in Galloway tartan
• The tartan was chosen to reflect both his kilt and the launch of his new Galloway Distillery venture
• The watch was gifted through the NYC Tartan Week organisers, making it one of the most meaningful pieces we've ever made
• Each custom tartan watch we create uses authentic Scottish tartan sourced directly from Scottish mills
• This moment reflects exactly what MacKinnon Watches was built for: celebrating Scottish identity, heritage, and the stories that connect us to home

We'll be honest. When Sam Heughan walked down 6th Avenue as Grand Marshal of the NYC Tartan Day Parade wearing one of our watches on his wrist, we had to take a moment. Not for a press release. Just to actually take it in.

This is one of those moments you don't fully believe is happening while it's happening.

How It Came About

We know the organisers of NYC Tartan Week, and when they mentioned they'd be happy to gift Sam one of our watches, we didn't hesitate. It was last minute. We pulled it together, made something we genuinely felt proud of, and hoped it would do justice to the occasion.

The tartan we chose was Galloway. That decision wasn't random. Sam had recently launched The Galloway Distillery, his whisky venture rooted in the region of south-west Scotland where he grew up. On parade day, his kilt carried Galloway tartan detailing too. It felt right for the watch to match, and to mark that homecoming in its own small way.

So there he was. Grand Marshal of the 28th Annual NYC Tartan Day Parade, one of the most prominent annual celebrations of Scottish culture outside Scotland itself, wearing a watch made with the tartan of his home.

A pinch-us moment. Genuinely.

Who Is Sam Heughan?

If you're already deep into Scottish heritage, you probably don't need this section. But for those who've somehow avoided Outlander: Sam Heughan is a Scottish actor best known for playing Jamie Fraser, the Highland warrior at the heart of the hit series. Beyond acting, he's a bestselling author, founder of Sassenach Spirits and The Galloway Distillery, and behind My Peak Challenge, an initiative that has raised millions for charities worldwide.

This was actually his second time leading the Tartan Day Parade as Grand Marshal, his first being back in 2016. So he's no stranger to the occasion. But this year felt different. He wore a kilt made by Edinburgh kiltmaker Howie Nicholsby of 21st Century Kilts, and when he spoke to the crowd, he talked about the Galloway tartan detailing in his outfit and what it meant, explaining that he'd just opened the Galloway Distillery in the region where he was born.

And on his wrist? A watch with that same Galloway tartan, made by us.

What the Watch Means to Us

We started watching Outlander during lockdown, mostly because Matt's mum was very insistent about it. She was particularly clear about Jamie Fraser. And at the time, we were living in London, missing Scotland in a way that's hard to put into words.

That feeling matters to us, because it's why MacKinnon Watches exists.

We didn't set out to build just another watch brand. We wanted to make something that carried meaning, something you could hold and feel a connection to your roots through. The tartan on every strap we make is sourced directly from Scottish mills, woven with the same care that's gone into Scottish textile craft for centuries. When someone puts on one of our watches, we want them to feel that. Not just see it.

So when Sam Heughan stood on a float in New York, in front of tens of thousands of people, wearing Galloway tartan on his wrist, it felt like a full-circle moment for everything we've been working towards.

Tartan Week and Why It Matters

National Tartan Day in the USA falls on 6th April each year, marking the signing of the Declaration of Arbroath in 1320. The NYC Tartan Day Parade is the centrepiece of an entire week of Scottish celebrations, and it draws a crowd of up to 20,000 people along 6th Avenue in Manhattan.

For Scots in the diaspora, particularly those in the US, it's one of the most important dates on the calendar. Not just a celebration, but a statement. This is who we are. This is where we're from.

That's the same spirit behind every piece we create in our tartan watch collection. Our customers aren't buying a watch because of a trend. They're buying it because it means something, because it connects them to a clan, a family, a place, a memory. Many of them are Scots living abroad, exactly like the crowds lining 6th Avenue.

Sound familiar?

What Goes Into a Custom Tartan Watch

Each custom tartan watch from MacKinnon Watches is made with a tartan of your choice from over 1,000 options, all sourced from authentic Scottish mills. We work directly with weavers and heritage organisations who understand what tartan represents, not just as fabric but as identity.

You can personalise with engraving, choose your watch case colour, and even request tartans not listed on our website. If your clan or family tartan exists, in most cases we can source it. The watch Sam received was made specifically for him, in a tartan tied to his roots and his latest chapter.

That's what we do for every customer.

The process isn't rushed. Custom pieces take time, because they're made to last and made to mean something. We think that's worth it. If you want to see what others have thought of theirs, our reviews page is probably the best place to start.

A Brand Built on Heritage

MacKinnon Watches grew out of a genuine love for tartan, Scotland, and the kind of gifting that goes beyond the wrapping paper. We've been featured in Herald Magazine, shortlisted for Family Business of the Year, and we're proud members of the Alliance of British Watch and Clock Makers. But none of that matters quite as much as the stories customers send us.

The retired doctor who got one from his kids. The bride who wore one on her wedding day. The Scot living in Australia who cried when he opened the box.

And now, Sam Heughan at the NYC Tartan Day Parade.

We make watches for people who wear their story. That's always been the point. If you want to explore what we've made, you can browse our full watch collection or use our tartan finder to track down the tartan that's yours. If you're not sure where to start, our heritage collection is a good introduction to what we're about.

Create Your Own Custom Tartan Watch

If this has sparked something, that's exactly the point. You don't need to be a Grand Marshal to wear something made with your tartan. Whether it's for a wedding, a graduation, a retirement, or just because Scotland means something to you, we'll make it.

Design your own custom tartan watch and wear your story.

Frequently Asked Questions

What tartan did Sam Heughan wear on his MacKinnon watch?

Sam's watch was made in Galloway tartan, chosen to match his kilt and to reflect the launch of his Galloway Distillery in south-west Scotland. It was a bespoke piece gifted through the NYC Tartan Week organisers.

Can I get a custom tartan watch made in my own clan tartan?

Yes. MacKinnon Watches offers over 1,000 tartans sourced from authentic Scottish mills, and can often source additional tartans not listed on the website. You can use the tartan finder to search for yours, or add a note at checkout with your request.

What is the NYC Tartan Day Parade?

The NYC Tartan Day Parade takes place each year in New York City as part of Tartan Week, celebrating Scottish heritage and the contributions Scots have made to American culture. It's held on or around National Tartan Day, which marks the anniversary of the Declaration of Arbroath. The parade regularly draws crowds of up to 20,000 people along 6th Avenue.

Who is Sam Heughan?

Sam Heughan is a Scottish actor best known for playing Jamie Fraser in Outlander. He's also a bestselling author, founder of Sassenach Spirits and The Galloway Distillery, and has served as Grand Marshal of the NYC Tartan Day Parade twice, in 2016 and again in the most recent parade.

Are MacKinnon tartan watch straps made with authentic Scottish tartan?

Yes. All tartan used in MacKinnon Watches products is sourced directly from Scottish mills, working with weavers who have produced authentic tartans for generations.

How long does a custom tartan watch take to make?

Custom tartan watches typically take 3 to 5 weeks depending on tartan availability. A fast-track option is available for an additional fee, which reduces production time to 1 to 3 weeks.

What makes a tartan watch a good gift?

Tartan watches work particularly well as gifts for weddings, retirements, graduations, and significant birthdays, especially for people with Scottish heritage. They can be personalised with engraving and come in a range of case colours, making each one specific to the person receiving it.