Kilts just for Scotsmen

[ScotFree]

I have been all over the internet looking for the answer to this Omar. The Egyptions wore a kilt like peice of clothing in the paintings in the Pyramids, the Vikings also wore a kilt like belted tunic when the invaded Scotland. The Romans wore belted tunics and consider pants to be the garb of barbarians.

And the Egyptian variety were seriously big on pleats.

[slohairt]

Och, we've been down this road before!

Apply switch to deceased equine...

[Joe I]

And if only Highlanders were wearing kilts the kilt makers would go out of buisness, not enough of them.

[Father Bill]

John's right. This has been beaten to death frequently. We know some people agree with the statement, others reject it. Some on both sides get downright inconsiderate at times. Let's let sleeping dogs lie.

Woof!

[pugcasso]

I think that perhaps some people whose family histories have been more directly connected until the present with various historical situations (such as banning of the kilts and other related elements) have acquired a certain reverence for some elements from the past. Kilts and other elements may be seen as symbols of special importance (and they have corresponding rules about when and where and by whom these elements should be used). I myself have not grown up with any kind of direct Scottish or Celtic family influence (unlike some families in Cape Breton for example) and so I have no preconceived notions that the kilt and tartans have some special meaning trained into me based on a lineage of past effects. So I feel "why can't we wear these as everyday wear" and "why shouldn't anyone wear a kilt if they like" - you don't need to be a miner to wear jeans or a baseball player to wear that hat (although I personally wish there weren't so many baseball caps around these days).

However, the flow of time and the bending and melding of traditions versus some modern take on things continuously reinvents things. This evolution and change has happened continuously even in older times (eg, the 'great kilt' going from some practical everyday cloth to a small kilt tailored garment and some decorative fly plaid pinned on for more dressy occasions).... even this whole strict clinging of tartans to clans is rather a recent invention (1800's era) and so what we see as "traditions" are really not as set in stone as some people are trained to think.

[Father Bill]

Pugcasso - Well said!

[opositive]

op lives in mexico city:






i would be willing to bet that some mexican folks would take great offense at their "traditional" depictions in american, western media which are as historically inaccurate, etc. as u.s. modern perceptions of scots, irish. it is a bear to sort through what is/was "real" v. modern mutation based on myth. tv, movies mostly entertain rather than teach--but a lot of people do not try to tell the difference.

[Omar Zaragoza]

Ok, now I got just let them move on and let them pass!!!

There are this kind of people worldwide, I will not pay attention to them and keep on wearing my kilt with pride!! (I dont like the Sombrero de Charro, thats why I tryed the Kilt, hahaha)

[Friday]

I have always been confused by "What is a Scotsman" (insert the name of any country) I can trace my family back to the Ulster Plantation, where relative were given 4,000 acres of Ireland by the English King. I assume that with a little work this line could be carried back across the sea to Scotland.

Does this make a Scot? NO! But it does give me Scottish heritage. I am proud of that heritage, I am proud of how these family members moved from Scotland to Ireland and thrived. They have integrated into Irish society to where my family name is one of the most prevalent name in Ireland. I am proud of how my family came to the United States and moved into the mountains of Western Pennsylvania, Western Maryland, and West Virginia and help build a life out of wilderness. I am proud of how many of these family members worked with the native Americans to build this life.

This is why I wear my family tartan, I hope that it will inspire me to this level of spirit and determination. Does this give me a right to wear a kilt and this tartan when I was not born in Scotland? I don't know, but the kilt police will have to cut the tartan from my cold stiff body. They should also remember that I do not believe in safety sgians, I believe is sharp pointy ones.

I will, however, consider removing my kilt as soon as every pair of blue jeans in Scotland is sent back to the the U.S.

[kiltbook]

This website gives more information about the Galicia tartan and its use in some Spanish speaking countries like Argentina. They have worn kilts in Spain up until the 18th Century.

http://www.tartan.galician.org/kilts.htm

If you ever get a custom made, hand sewn, or bespoke kilt the Galicia National tartan may be the perfect choice.

To your health! Slainte'