Shock as Shir Shaun shuns Tartan Week

[Phil]

It seems that Sean Connery prefers the lure of the little white ball to the duty of representing Scotland at Tartan Week this year. Who am I to talk? I won't be there either - http://thescotsman.scotsman.com/scot...-to.6745404.jp

[ForresterModern]

He could always play golf kilted that day and kill two birds with one stone----as long as he does not try it at Royal Troon.

[Jock Scot]

Phew, thank goodness for that! No new pictures of those dubious kilt fashion choices of Himself, to lead the unwary astray for the next umpteen years!

[Chirs]

He could always play golf kilted that day and kill two birds with one stone----as long as he does not try it at Royal Troon.

<groan>

[TheNaughtyScot]

I imagine there's something else happening since it was last minute and he's just saying "golf" to save an embarassing explanation. When you're 80, your health tends to decline and he may just be saving us from that explanation. Either that or he got in a fight with the producers and quit.

[Hamish]

Phew, thank goodness for that! No new pictures of those dubious kilt fashion choices of Himself, to lead the unwary astray for the next umpteen years!

Jock, you took the very words from my own mouth! Tartan tie or lace jabot with the Prince Charlie jacket are just not right, nor does either look even remotely good, and he really should know better.

Take care,
Ham.

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

When approached last year to be GOH at an event here in the USA, scheduled for 2012, his publicist explained that Connery was winding down all public appearances and therefore would be unavailable to attend. I don't think it signifies anything more than that. As for Connery's dress sense.... well.... let's just say that Hamish and Jock have once again shown a complete mastery of the British art of the understatement!

[Tobus]

I'm glad you posted that, MacMillan of Rathdown. This seems to be one of those cases where just because he's done it in the past, they assumed he would do it this year, and didn't even bother to ask him. He's getting older and understandably wants to spend some years in "retirement", out of the spotlight. He's earned it.

Yet there are those who would vilify him for "shunning" the event. I don't think that's fair to him. He probably could have handled it better by calling them directly to tell them that he wasn't coming, but he really shouldn't have to. Their assumption was wrong, and he's not the bad guy for it.

As for his wearing the kilt incorrectly, he grew up in Edinburgh, didn't he? While he would have certainly been exposed to the kilt more than a non-Scot, I don't think there's any reason to assume he should be an expert like those who grew up in the Highlands. And while I do opine that he could do a better job of representing that form of dress more accurately, he has been undeniably a positive image for Scotland. Trust me, you could do a lot worse with your national icons!

[Jock Scot]

Whilst I have no wish to be parsimonious with handing out the credit, I am not altogether sure that he could be described as a" National icon".

[Tobus]

Those of you in Scotland may not see him that way, but in America he certainly is seen as such. There are many Americans who could not name a single Scottish person except Sean Connery. When they think of Scotland, they think of him.