What the kilt means to you

[highlander_Daz]

Ive been in Prestonpans last 2 weeks nae midgies here, dont like me anyways dont get bit. (much) !!

[McG]

Ive been in Prestonpans last 2 weeks nae midgies here, dont like me anyways dont get bit. (much) !!

Yer not going to start another Jacobite rebellion big guy? I believe them to be a new strain West Coast Super Midge. Done everything i possbly could, lit fire tried to smoke them out, no. Hide indoors or run.

[Perldog007]

I knew that I had Drummond ancestors since 1967, but didn't even realize they were Scots until the late 70's. In the eighties my dad had a gig in Ireland, and spent some time in the UK as well on the trip. He came back with scarves and neck ties for us in Macbeth tartans. I learned that my family name was associated with the clan of Macbeth.

I liked the tie and wanted a kilt, but was told they were very expensive. Since I only wore a suit a few times a year the dream faded.

In 2000 found myself on the losing side of a jeep/motorcycle interaction. Right leg is pretty badly mangled - SPAM - Some Parts Are Metal/Missing/Me .

Trousers and even shorts are rather uncomfortable. Then I was researching an obscure form of martial arts that used a sarong as a weapon and found out about the unbifurcated rebellion.

More power to those who can walk amongst the unwashed in sarongs and skirts, just not my thing. And then I read about modern kilts. I got one, then found out about the "replica" kilts, traditional looking kilts that could thrown in the washer.

Stillwater had a hunting Macleod. Beath and Beaton (known as variances on my name) are listed as a sept of Macleod. Probably by a salesman at a mill, but no matter. I have a slew of Stillwater kilts now.

The U.S. Navy has a tartan, and Rocky has an order with my name on it.

My first 16oz hand sewn wool kilt will be sometime next year. Macbeth Modern I think.

I got into it for comfort, but really am interested in heritage and history. It pays homage to the origin of my ancestors. I also like the style, the Mrs. likes the style. It is about being a bit different too.

Where I live it allows me to tell everyone, think what you will - this is me.


So I guess there is some thrill of rebellion too. So many people in America are pushing their heritage and culture down other's throats. Traditionally the persons of Scottish descent over here have just gone quietly about their business. Assimilating into the culture.

It's nice to make a little noise there. If our recent arrivals from down south can demand that I learn their language to have a civil service job, I should be able to dress in the garb of my ancestors.

It's like I get to say "Hey my people have traditions too".

At the end of the day, it is a "cracking bit of gear" that is comfortable too.

Everyone should wear them who wants to. Trousers are just plain cruel.

[Thomas]

I´m a non-scot, although there are some drops of scottish blood in my ancestory (Morrison). I was born in Germany and so I am german. Nevertheless I´m interested in scottish history and culture. But wearing the kilt isn´t just showing sympathy for Scotland, but it´s a certain feeling. To me it expresses: "Look-´I love wearing the kilt. I don´t have to give any reasons for it to anybody. Accept it or leave it." It´s an expression of selfconsciousness that came with the years. I´m 44 now. It took some time to get that self-awareness, but better late than never.
It was this forum that gave me the last encouragement to get kilted.
Thanks xmarksthescot !

Regards
Thomas

[highlander_Daz]

"Yer not going to start another Jacobite rebellion big guy?"

Nope not after what happened last time!

[highlander_Daz]

just remember guys that Scots blood is like a fine Whisky, no matter how much you dilute it its always there!!

for you guys with no Scottish Blood, I have an English friend who says, to Scots who quiz him on his kilt

"ah. You guys are born Scots-youve no choice, Im Scottish by choice that makes me special!!!"

of course its a great ice breaker and gets him lots of free drinks especially durning Football time,

one Weegie baought him a pint and said "aye lad thats one less of them and one more of us" (Paraphrase Billy Connlly.)

[Tartan Hiker]

I'm almost sure that I would never have come to the kilt unless my great-grandfather hadn't emigrated from Scotland in the 1860's. He and I (and my father, grandfather, and first-born son) share the same first name. My father was in GB during WWII and wanted to see Scotland, but never made it. In his later years things kept getting in the way of a trip to the "homeland", so I also wear the kilt proudly as a tip of the hat to my late father. I wore his dogtags (and my grandfather's) during my trip to Scotland this past Christmas.

And to quote Alan H....
"There's also the undisputable fact that I'm 50 years old, bald, a bit on the overweight side, only middlin' charming, a professional geek and there you have it. Who notices or cares about someone like that? I disappear into the volid when I wear pants. But when I put on a kilt, people notice, and people remember me."

Same here (except for the bald and overweight part )