As we celebrate Clan MacKinnon we were delighted to be able to speak to Karina MacKinnon from The Golf Shop of St Andrews. Karina has connections to the MacKinnon clan and spends every day surrounded by not only golfing attire but also copious amounts of tartan. We uncover Karina's many talents, her heritage and deep love of the plaid.
You are a MacKinnon by name, what is your connection to the MacKinnon clan?
It is said that the Mackinnon’s were one of seven clans to serve the first King of Scotland in the 9th century. The Isle of Skye and Isle of Mull were owned by the MacKinnon’s, and many were Benedictine Abbots of Iona. The last Abbot of Iona was Iain MacKinnon, and his tomb lies in Iona to this day, along with the shaft of a Celtic cross, known today as 'MacKinnon's Cross’. He dedicated it to himself in 1489. My father’s name is Iain MacKinnon. My sister, Marianne and I hope to take Mum, Dad and our sons to the Isle of Skye and Iona to visit where our parents honeymooned!
You have designed your own outfit in a MacKinnon tartan, can you tell us about your inspiration for this piece?
Before I moved back to St Andrews in 2015, I was a professional singer. I had a prestigious gig at the Fairmont Hotel in St Andrews one Hogmanay, and this spurred me on as I wanted to go in full Scottish regalia. I had also recently qualified as a hairdresser and for my final, I had created a tartan hair updo. My research for that was really helpful for my dress and the cogs started to turn! For special occasions, I was always going into the wardrobe and “never had anything to wear” ending up spending a fortune. So, after being gifted a roll of MacKinnon Dress tartan, I designed a unique outfit that I could wear forever no matter what size I was! The handkerchief point skirt has a hidden elastic waist and the corset has an adjustable ribbon lacing panel at the back. The outfit is a Vivienne Westwood style and I have worn it to weddings, charity events, award ceremonies, Christmas parties, re-unions as well as on-stage. It’s my go to outfit!
What was the most challenging part of making your MacKinnon outfit?
Committing to the design! I had the roll of fabric for 15 years before I finally came up with something! I knew I had to be utterly confident before I cut into the fabric as I wanted something that would last a lifetime, so I think that’s what took me so long. I made the layered skirt out of 100% Chantelle silk and the tartan fabric. A costume designer colleague of mine made the corset for me as that was beyond my dressmaking skills! It was the last thing she made before she passed unexpectedly, so there are a lot of stories within this one outfit.
What advice would you give other creative people planning to make their own tartan outfit?
Take inspiration from others creating something bespoke. Be true to your own design.
You clearly love Scottish traditions, so are you a fan of Highland Games?
I have only ever attended the St Andrews Highland Games – brilliant event with the Highland dancers and pipe bands. My Great-Uncle, Donald MacKinnon, was a famous Pipe Major. He emigrated to Australia in the 1950’s as did many others, and he created the pipe movement over there. His son took over the role, so we love to hear the pipes!
You own ‘The Golf Shop of St Andrews’, do you know any famous MacKinnon golfers?
I did work with a Head PGA Professional called Jim McKinnon a few years ago, but my Dad is a past captain of St Andrews New Club and my Mum is the Ladies Putting Champion, so I’d say yes is the answer!
How did you become the owner of ‘The Golf Shop of St Andrews’?
The MacKinnon Clan motto is ‘Audentes Fortuna Juvat’ – Fortune Favours the Brave. I have to live up to my name right?! It is a million miles away from my showbiz background and there’s not a sequin in sight (I must rectify that!), but it just made sense to work in this industry with St Andrews being the Home of Golf. We are just round the corner from the Old Course itself.
How do you tempt the golfers visiting St Andrews into your shop?
The Golf Shop of St Andrews offers exclusivity and quality. We have a full range of golf apparel, gifts and souvenirs, designed by us and made exclusively for us. We carry shirts, sweaters, jackets and now tartan Plus Fours made by ScotlandShop! We also have a kiddies range called ‘Bairns Bunker’. We are the only shop in town to use the authentic St Andrews crest which was gifted to the town in 1124 – full of history. We are also the creators and home of THE St Andrews Sweatshirt worn by Tiger Woods and Marvel actress Kathryn Newton. They are so popular we even have a waiting list!
Karina also has a stock of our Tartan Plus Fours. The ideal, tailored option for a round of golf on a world class course.
If you were to recommend a must see place to visit within St Andrews, where would you recommend?
The Golf Shop of St Andrews first of course followed by the iconic Cathedral, and for a wee dram, The Criterion on South Street. It’s also worth popping your head into St Salvators Quad to see where William and Kate graduated. You will see it featured in the next series of The Crown which was filmed here in March 2023.
Which tartans do you like to wear and do you have a favourite?
Of course, the MacKinnon. We have 3 tartans I am aware of – The Dress, The Modern and The Hunting and they are all exquisite.
At the shop, we have a Tartan Collection which includes caps, shirts, jackets and other pieces which all feature the Black Watch Tartan. Even our carpet is Black Watch and everyone loves it! The tartan range has been extended with Plus Fours in the bold red of the Wallace Modern, and our local Earl of St Andrews check.
What do you do to embrace and celebrate Scottish traditions?
As a family we are very traditional and have lots of fun! We enjoy a wee Drambuie, made by MacKinnons! Marianne and I have been brought up to celebrate Scottish traditions and so we are now raising our own boys to enjoy them. We Scots are a very patriotic bunch!
As a youngster growing up in St Andrews, I would successfully compete every January for the singers Robert Burns Trophy and now continue to perform annually at Burns Suppers.
Hogmanay is huge for us, bigger than Christmas! We celebrated Hogmanay differently this year though, as my 10 year old son Dylan played his first professional role in the pantomime at The Byre Theatre in St Andrews. The tradition has indeed been passed on to the next generation!
We would like to say a big thanks to Karina for sharing her story with us and talking to us about her connections to Clan MacKinnon. To discover more check out our MacKinnon Clan page for more clan content. Have you got a connection to a clan? Get in touch as we would love to hear from you.
