" It's Not Burns Night"!

[The Q]

Or thoughts on the first, two times wearing a kilt and other ramblings.
I’d not thought of wearing a kilt before because I had only known of the handmade expensive variety.
However after the last Burns night I decided to look into it, although getting 350 Pounds past SWMBO would be difficult.
I was very surprised to find out about off the peg PV kilts so Luckily as a Stewart, I had two instantly available and therefore ordered a Black stewart 8 Yard PV. Also By the time I this decision had been made, I had come across Xmarks, so after reading many pages (thanks for all the advice given to many) I also ordered an Argyll (BBA) and waistcoat.
During the Jones time, I was gently mentioning Kilts to SWMBO, and showing her pictures of Dogs (She LOVES dogs) with kilted persons around, from pictures on this Site, she wasn’t entirely surprised when she came downstairs to find me wearing a kilt.
The reaction I got was not what was expected, She hates spending money, but she seemed to approve even though making the ODD jokes about her husband wearing a sk**t. I then mentioned further things needed, such as a kilt pin, she promptly handed me a large safety pin but I explained what a Kilt pin was and within a few minutes she came back with a genuine sword kilt pin out of her jewellery box. After showing her a few pictures of the various “levels “of kilting, a couple of days later she handed me a Plaid Brooch from another jewellery box (hang on where did that box come from?). Shortly after I ordered everything else Sporran, Brogues Hose Etc.
I had mentioned the need for a tweed jacket and that you could convert a second-hand one (more pictures from Xmarks). The next day she came back with an Irish tweed jacket from the local charity shop, which fitted perfectly and only cost 5 pounds. Considering the local town has less than 2000 people in it, that was a good find, especially as it was in perfect condition and a Magee which new appears to cost around 300 pounds!
And so to the first night out, this was an end of season sailing club dinner and prize giving at www.sfsc.co.uk/ as the Tweed has yet to be cut (but has been marked up ready) I wore the BBA, Black day sporran, black Hose and Kilt.
The first remark I Got was, “it’s not Burns night”, and then several ladies said I looked smart. The only other remark I got was “you too sweety “ but I had just loudly insulted the MC for the night who had worn a kilt at the Burns night (RAF pleated to the Stripe), he had just announced a Ceilidh for the next do! I was surprised that no remarks were made when the owner of the Keelboat and I went up for Prizes (3 firsts, 3 seconds, 3 Thirds).
The only disappointment was the kilt hose was short, 4 fingers down before folding! But the correct size on the packet! So I ordered a new pair for larger diameter legs, which turned out to be perfect for next time.

A week later was the rigging out supper for the summer sailing club http://www.horningsc.co.uk/ This year held at a local pub because the booked number was higher than the capacity of the club house. I got a few strange looks from non HSC members occupying part of the pub as we walked through and was questioned by some on the kilt while SWMBO was saying hello to their Spaniels.
The manager complimented me, as very smart as he directed us on through to our seats, The next comment that night was about “ The Question” when my compatriot on one of these http://www.yeomankinsman.org.uk/Horning/horning.asp, made mention of it to The mother of the Class Secretary she replied, “she had just the thing”, her walking stick (made of all clear Perspex!) and waved it in my general direction (it had a T shaped handle, a handy Hook!).
Then, as we were leaving, I heard a voice behind be saying “you’ve got a good swish on there!”
So, will I wear the kilt more often? Yes.
Do I intend to get a woollen Kilt? Yes, when I’ve made up my mind which one to get ‘for best’.
Will I wear a kilt to work? No, Although I work in a nice clean electronics lab I spend Most of the time sitting next to an oil bath which keeps resistors to 23 +-0.125 Degrees C, and the very light oil gets on my clothes, so it will be cheap trousers under the Lab coat.
Will I wear the kilt Sailing? No, I destroy enough proper sailing gear leaping around from side to side, a kilt wouldn’t last long.
The rest of the time? When I’m not doing anything that would damage the kilt yes.
And finally this came up on the web the next day, which is a few hundred yards from the pub we were at, http://the-norfolk-broads.co.uk/viewmessages.cfm?Forum=21&Topic=36407
Oh the Power of the Kilt!!!
By the way a Norfolk broad is a wide stretch of water ie a small lake.

[cessna152towser]

Interesting that the MC wore a RAF tartan kilt pleated to the stripe.
One of our other members, who has not been active here recently lives in Norfolk and wears a RAF tartan kilt pleated to the stripe.
He's not been on here recently but I am in contact with him through Facebook and will send him a link to this thread and will try to find out if it was he whom you met.

[The Q]

It's not Chas who I believe lives near Thetford some 50 miles from me. IIRC his kilt is pleated to the sett ie non military. Whereas our MC who I know well has his kilt pleated to the Stripe in military fashion he is not long out of the RAF.

[Dughlas mor]

Terrific post. I think you`d better hang on to that wife of yours!

[Elf]

Good news, thank you for the post. Sounds like you're well on your way. Also good judgment to take things slowly in regard to the wool. The outfit will all fall into place before you know it and hopefully will last a long time--a lot longer than the time to assemble it. Best wishes and happy kilting

[Liam]

Thoroughly enjoyed your story!
Slainte

[OC Richard]

Great post! Thanks for sharing your story.

I had what we call a "duh George" moment when I was perplexed by just what SWMBO might mean, then realised



I've always loved the Black Stewart tartan. There's a pipe band here, up in San Francisco, called Prince Charles Pipe Band who wears it, pleated to the stripe. Lovely kilts.

This year makes 40 years kiltwearing for me, but I've never owned any sort of kilt other than a tartan wool full-yardage handsewn traditional kilt. When I started out, that's all there was!

Good luck and I look forward to your further adventures.

Richard

[The Q]

For those who Don't Know the term She Who Must be Obeyed came from Henry Rider Haggards' book, She: A history of Adventure (1886).
The term became more popular in the UK after a radio and TV series which later became books by John Mortimer with the overall title Rumpole of the Bailey who always (when she wasn't around) referred to SWMBO. I would expect that John Mortimer decided to use the term by Rumpole as he would have been the generation to have known the books by Rider Haggard well. Although I'm approximately 50 years younger than Rumpoles supposed age I have read some of Henry Rider Haggards books.
I knew the term however from Rumpole.