Obviously kilts will always be associated with Scotland. But the phenomenon I've described is indeed taking place ... if it wasn't then none of us would be wearing our kilts in anything but the Scottish way.

Even folks here who hold dear the traditions of Scotland and all that makes the hertitage of Scotland so rich are becoming more and more willing to strap on a non-tradtional kilt and wear it in non-traditional ways. Not all, of course, but more and more.

Flag kilts, rainbow kilts, even in England the traditions are slowly giving way to modern uses and trends. Ham's photo album is the best evidence I can offer as to the increasing variations of acceptable kilts and kilt outfits, and this is in England, which has become a bit of a Melting Pot as well. Is this a bad thing? It really doesn't matter, no amount of disagreement will stop it. I wish we could all be more like Hamish, myself included ... he's the most balanced man among us.

I never said that any kiltman was better than any other (except maybe Ham, LOL)... and I appreciate the Scottish roots of kilts and acknowledge that kilts were introduced to America by Scotsmen and members of Scottish Heritage Groups. I only contend that once that introduction was made that a relatively small number of Americans, with their steady blending of many heritages and traditions, immediately began to make the kilt their own, often against the grain of the rest of American society.

Someone said my ideas are not new, they were right, they're not. I learned about the 'American Melting Pot' in Junior High School. If you don't believe me regarding the direction kilts are going you only need to look up 'kilt' in Wikepedia (sp?). There will always be a select few who will celebrate the specifics of the Scottish kilt tradition, thankfully. I have already said that this phenomenon can be disconcerting to some folks, as evidenced but the reaction to my post ... whether one adheres to tradition or simply wears kilts because they want to I can only say that I am happy that they all ....

Kilt On.

Chris Webb