An Open Question for 'Jock Scot' (and Scots)

**Jock Scot** · 9th January 12, 03:51 PM

Originally Posted by SlackerDrummer

As the OP of this thread, I'd make the simple request that the conversation steer back to the original question. There are a great many threads on this and related fora regarding how to wear the kilt, when to wear the kilt, who should wear the kilt, etc., but this isn't one.

My original question was an attempt to try to discern whether the attitude regarding non-Scots wearing kilts was more about "those people over in ______" and if it might apply equally to people one actually knows, particularly recent emigrants of one's own family.

While I am not completely stunned, I did find it a little shocking that Jock would so readily accept his own grandchildren abandoning a part of their cultural identity, but who am I to judge that? Old World/New World differences I suppose. It's no skin off my nose.

Well its quite simple really. Let us take my fictitious grandson as the example. If he chooses to become an American citizen for example, or maybe he was of an age not to choose legally, so his father chose for him, he is an American from then on and until he decides otherwise that is the way it will stay, he does not stop being my grandson and it does not stop his offspring having Scots genes and roots, I will still love him as part of the family, but he ceases to be a Scot and as such I would expect him to behave as an American and be loyal to America and absolutely not hark back to Scotland in a major way. Playing at being a Scot for example. Simple.

So have the Scots no roots? Yes of course they have, but rarely do you see them (actually I never have) playing at being Normans for example. It seems that we(some of us anyway) just see things rather differently, that is all.

**Johnny Selkie** · 10th January 12, 03:02 AM

Originally Posted by Jock Scot

Well its quite simple really. Let us take my fictitious grandson as the example. If he chooses to become an American citizen for example, or maybe he was of an age not to choose legally, so his father chose for him, he is an American from then on and until he decides otherwise that is the way it will stay, he does not stop being my grandson and it does not stop his offspring having Scots genes and roots, I will still love him as part of the family, but he ceases to be a Scot and as such I would expect him to behave as an American and be loyal to America and absolutely not hark back to Scotland in a major way. Playing at being a Scot for example. Simple.

So have the Scots no roots? Yes of course they have, but rarely do you see them (actually I never have) playing at being Normans for example. It seems that we(some of us anyway) just see things rather differently, that is all.

Being a scot Jock I'm wondering what do you think about the viking themed festival Up Helly Aa?

**Phil** · 10th January 12, 03:09 AM

Originally Posted by Johnny Selkie

Being a scot Jock I'm wondering what do you think about the viking themed festival Up Helly Aa?

There is an interesting article here - http://www.telegraph.co.uk/journalis...-relocate.html - by
Sandi Toksvig where she goves a Scandinavian view of Up Helly-aa.

**Jock Scot** · 10th January 12, 03:10 AM

Originally Posted by Johnny Selkie

Being a scot Jock I'm wondering what do you think about the viking themed festival Up Helly Aa?

Ah this one always pops up.

In truth I know very little about it, but my impression is that it is a whole load of people playing at being Vikings in a place where Norse traditions hold sway over Celtic ones(this is the point) and in the process they are having a great time. Sounds fair enough to me.

**Bigkahuna** · 10th January 12, 03:30 AM

I think i'll go and paint myself blue now.

**McClef** · 10th January 12, 03:37 AM

Certain Norse traditions (and not just in Shetland) do not prevent Celtic ones being there also. Up Helly Aa is once a year but I expect that you might see the occasional kilt in the streets of Lerwick at most other times of year.

Or Stornoway or Kirkwall etc etc.

**Jock Scot** · 10th January 12, 03:55 AM

Originally Posted by McClef

Certain Norse traditions (and not just in Shetland) do not prevent Celtic ones being there also. Up Helly Aa is once a year but I expect that you might see the occasional kilt in the streets of Lerwick at most other times of year.

Or Stornoway or Kirkwall etc etc.

Actually you don't see many kilts up there, its probably too windy.

To use the North American Indian as an example to illustrate a point. I expect that you may see North American Indians wandering around in their traditional attire from time to time which is based far more solid foundations in their own country and they are surrounded by "modern America". You cannot in any way compare that to some fairly recently invented Viking junket in the Northern Isles of Scotland , particularly as it is indeed surrounded by Celtic traditions too.

**Johnny Selkie** · 10th January 12, 07:00 AM

Originally Posted by Jock Scot

Ah this one always pops up.

In truth I know very little about it, but my impression is that it is a whole load of people playing at being Vikings in a place where Norse traditions hold sway over Celtic ones(this is the point) and in the process they are having a great time. Sounds fair enough to me.

For some reason I anticipated that you would give this answer.