Would be very interesting to be in the room during round two...or would I be creating the Margaret Mead effect if I was: influencing the results by being an outsider on the scene?

Sounds pretty dour for those of us outside of the Highlands, though. I get the distinct impression that we're being regarded as a bunch of party crasher wannabes. I have to say that, after seeing some of the fine points of tartan and highland dress beaten to death here on the forum by people who are not Scots by birth, I am reminded of the old saying that "converts make the best (or worst, depending on your point of view) zealots".

It was beginning to look like we were headed for a trip to Scotland later this year. After the reality sandwich of your impromptu survey, I guess I'd better leave the kilt at home lest I be thought a pretentious foreigner...like the Scots who seem to bear the sight of an outsider wearing the kilt with quiet forbearance, I try to have the good taste to not make a spectacle of myself at the expense of other folks' traditions.

Best

AA