I grew up in a coastal town (that just happened to have a bagpipe band) and spent much of my youth on the water. Many of the old guys had beards, tattoos, and gold rings in their ears. I always figured that when I grew up I would also have these things. I don't have a tattoo (too expensive) but the rest I have. The pipes and kilts were part of the same thing. These were, to me, the coolest things in the world.
I think also that there is a certain nod to history that we all seem to have.
Bob