What's your Halloween plan for your kilt?

[Peter Crowe]

I really don't recall any Halloween type things in the rural Highlands in my youth, perhaps partly because there was a war going on. After the war in the rural highlands where lack of transport and distances were a real hinderance to life, it was only weddings and funerals where there were any significant gathering of family and friends. In passing I don't recall Halloween being mentioned down South in England until the late 1990's.Now transport, communications, television for all that raise people's expectations which go to make the world a smaller place and I suppose one of the consequences of that is these "celebrations" are now almost common knowledge worldwide.

Knowing Lochaber and the western Highlands more generally, that makes perfect sense Jock. My parents also grew up with war-time and post-war shortages (rationing wasn't finally over until 1954), and many of these traditions we were brought up with were passed down from my grandparents and great-aunts generation, plus we lived in suburban Lanarkshire (just outside Glasgow) where scontact with neighbours was simpler and easier, as I discovered after moving to a rural community in the Borders (Roxburghshire) when I was a raw lad of 16.

[Father Bill]

Wow!

You've possibly read my earlier comments in this thread about respectful dress on Hallowe'en and many children and adults dressing as that which they respect or to which they aspire which might make my Scottish kit acceptable, but . . .

When I start reading about kilts with ugly sweaters or selected for colours that match the season, I have to be honest and tell you that I start to cringe and want to hide my kilt and kit safely in the closet lest anyone think it's being worn lightly or as a joke.

I don't want to bore folks or offend anyone with this, but in no way do I select a kilt based on its colours. As I've said elsewhere (possibly ad nauseum) a tartan to me is a nametag, and I don't wear anyone else's tartan any more than I'd wear their nametag, so that leaves out picking colours to match the season and there's no way I'd ever wear it as any kind of joke. It's worn for my bit of clan affilliation and for love of Scotland and the garment.

To each his own, I guess.

[Jock Scot]

Thank you Bill, I was biting my tongue on that one. A long brisk walk also helped put my humour back on an even keel!

[neloon]

For those who don't know Guido Fawkes AKA Guy Fawkes was one of the conspirators in a plot to blow up the houses of parliament, at the state opening by King James I, (VI of Scotland) 1605

Remember, remember, the 5th of November, Gunpowder, Treason and Plot.

Yes, Mr Fawkes is particularly not PC in Scotland since he was trying to assassinate the recently departed Scottish king and, when apprehended, had on his person a list of the Scots courtiers who had accompanied the King to London and who were presumably next to be dispatched!
Alan

[tundramanq]

This name I had heard of in my reading but the history kind of glossed over the details.

Realizing Wikipedia isn't always right:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guy_Fawkes

[SeumasA]

A long brisk walk also helped put my humour back on an even keel!

That's why I go for a run in the mornings Jock. It clears the mind and helps me deal with my employees better.

[OC Richard]

Unrelated to the kilt, but regarding the topic of Halloween's nature changing over the years, my father described Halloween in the isolated mountains of West Virginia in the 1920s as being more about young people being out in the dark doing various pranks, such as hauling one guy's wagon up onto the roof of his barn. The traditional treat of course was apples, candied or no.

When I was a kid in the 1960s it was the night of kids running around half the night without adult supervision, getting apples and candy and playing pranks such as sticking toilet paper all over somebody's house or car with shaving cream. The recipients of the pranks were the people who turned off all their lights and pretended not to be home, thus avoiding giving out treats. "Trick or treat" was taken literally.

It's so different now, with kids being taken around by their parents to get pre-packaged candy, and no pranks for non-givers. Many churches hold Halloween events to keep kids off the streets. We've seen the number of kids who come around to the door steadily decline, from a steady stream in the 60s to a handful today. Sad.

[Jock Scot]

That's why I go for a run in the mornings Jock. It clears the mind and helps me deal with my employees better.

At my age "brisk walks" are the best that I can do. I cannot remember the last time that I actually broke into a trot, never mind running! Even though I say it myself and shouldn't I did, a few weeks ago, venture up the hill for a day in persuit of a stag with one of my Grandsons, a successful day all round. At a guess we covered about 12 miles over rough ground at heights ranging from 250 ft to just over 2500 ft. I was rather surprised with myself, but my oh my, did I suffer for the next few days!

[Pleater]

Here in the UK Halloween is becoming more and more 'popular', and when it started it was just a few families with youngsters we recognised as neighbours. There are now dozens of callers, many are whole gangs of teenagers I don't recognise, and it isn't just the masks.
Last year there were so many that, even though I thought that I'd bought too much, I ran out and was looking around for things to give them, handed out two dozen packets of crisps, and then turned out all the lights in the front of the house.

This year we are going to be out, visiting family in an apartment block where they do not get 'trick or treaters' as it is just too much now.
Halloween was not something celebrated when I was a child, and up until about 15 years ago it just didn't happen. The first year I handed out apples and oranges - as it was all I had on hand, much to the disgust of the recipients.

Doubtless I will be wearing a kilt, but not for All Hallows Eve reasons.

Anne the Pleater :ootd:

[kilttrip]

Nothing extravagant, I just plan to wear my Sportkilt (Black Watch) to hand out candy to the kiddies.