Quote Originally Posted by MacSpadger View Post
I am in the process of moving back to Scotland for good, and I am going the opposite way, downsizing. I can't see any reason for having more than two kilts at the most up there, so am having a huge clearout of around 20 year's worth of things collected while piping in the South East of England. Most actual Scots I know have one or maybe two kilts.
There will be a band kilt, (maybe, still wondering if I'm daft to be considering competing in Grade 3A at the age of 52) and a personal kilt for solos, games, functions and times when it will be an acceptable alternative for a suit. It's time to shift the stuff gathering dust, ( and I include myself in that ).
It seems to be one of the many cultural differences in wearing a kilt in different countries, there are people outside Scotland that have a number if kilts. To those of you that own large amounts of kits, so you wear them every day?
I do recall one man in Scotland who wore the kilt every day, and he was considered a nutter by the locals. (Thinking back, I believe he was completely Radio Rental, Chicken Oriental, as the kids used to chant).
A difference is that we simply don't see USA Kilts, Utilikilts, Sport Kilts, etc, over here. (I have seen one and that was being worn by an American tourist). I assume these are an American everyday alternative to trousers, but I still don't "get it".
It should really not be too difficult to understand why some people choose to have more then one kilt and often, in more then one tartan. Just as you may know someone who has a passion for automobiles or tea cups or stamps or guns or any other type of collectable you can think of, there are those of us who have the same type of passion for kilts and tartan. I may not personally be very interested in fishing gear or decorative plates, but I certainly understand that there are people who have a fervent interest in these pursuits, and I recognize that it is part of our human nature and creativity to engage in and relish these passions, whatever they may be. Kilts and tartan may be a very fringe passion, with very few aficionados compared to other interests or pursuits. But that does not make it any less meaningful to the participant.

So, although as it seems to me from many posts from our esteemed Scottish members, tartan and kilting is a cultural aspect in the lives of most Scots which they pursue only when the occasion warrants, there are people who have a certain passion for kilts and tartan which goes beyond that norm. I drink tea from a cup and see no need to clutter my cabinets with anything more then what is necessary or practical for drinking tea. But there are many people who spend long hours, not to mention considerable resources in procuring an impressive collection of tea cups or fine china or what have you. And I say bravo to them for pursuing that which gives them pleasure and reward.