What the kilt means to you

[McG]

As ye can see i am a new member from Scotland i am totally amazed at how many fellow jocks and kilt wearers there are on this site from different countrys.
I have been wearing the kilt and belted plaid since i was a wee laddie, i used to git ma brothers hand me doons.
I have travelled from Thailand to Cuba in my kilt but have only came accross
jocks from scotland and not for example american or canadian scots(obviously in the wrong places). I am very interested in what the kilt means to people from other country,s. Did your ancestors leave here after the clearances? or do you simply just like the kilt? Whatever the reason may be.
Nowadays the kilt has become a bit of a fashion accessory to some people to me and most it states"This is where i come from and this is who i am"
Comments please, Thanks

Ps Hae tae go, i was on camping trip it is midgie season so i have to apply cream to tender parts if ye ken whit i mean!

[Ugly Bear]

What does the kilt mean to me as a non-Scot? It means, in part, that I honor the part of me that descended from Scotland. But there's more to it -- most of the kilts I wear are not Scottish, and not meant to look Scottish. Simply put, I've had enough of trousers, and see no reason to keep wearing them exclusively, and don't really care what strangers think about my choice.

In short, I wear kilts partly because I'm a part-Scot, but mainly because I'm a man.

As for being a "fashion accessory," at least in the States, that's not so much the case. The price is still prohibitive enough to keep the kilt from being the latest must-have fad, and even the low-end kilts, when they catch on, catch on as more of a lifestyle choice than a fad.

[demobud]

For me, it is a link to heritage as well as apersonal statement of freedom from the norm. I like the look and the positive impact it makes on people.

[Kid Cossack]

"How do I love them, let me count the ways . . ." In no particular order, the kilt to me means:

heritage
comfort
style
a way to stand out from the crowd
a reminder of where I'm from and where I'm going

And although we shy clear of politics here, it is a reminder to me, not each time I strap one on, but frequently, that "this too was once banned by law."

[MACKAY]

First and foremost my Mackay Tartan Kilt represents my direct connection to my Scottish roots and heritage. As for my other kilts, tartan and solid, traditional and modern, I think that they (kilts) look good and are comfortable and fun to wear! Besides, how else do you get to meet such a diverse and extraordinary community such as Xmarks???

[MysticMead]

to me... it's all about personal choice... yes, I have some Scottish and Irish in me... but I love them because they are the most comfortable things on this planet.. of course I do like the attention they bring as well... as my oldest sister said... I've always marched to beat of a different drummer...it's just who I am...

[highlander_Daz]

where are you MC? the midgies are quiet at the moment??

[CelticRanger66]

My family left Scotland during the clearances. I wear my kilt to honor them and also because I want to wear one!

[McG]

where are you MC? the midgies are quiet at the moment??

I was in Glen Etive for a couple of days camping, done a bit of hillwalking and canoeing, and believe me the midge was there! Ye know that point when ye just have tae run?

[Cawdorian]

From the Highlands of North Atlanta Georgia USA.

Most of my Scottish ancestors came to the US in the 1700's some to escape religous persecution in Northern Ireland (Scots-Irish) and others no doubt came to the US as a result of the clearances.

I wear a kilt in their family tartans to honor these brave and hardy folks, celebrate my heritage and to remind myself and others of the source of my family values.

Side Benefit: They are the most comfortable garment a man could wear.