X Marks the Scot - An on-line community of kilt wearers.

   X Marks Partners - (Go to the Partners Dedicated Forums )
USA Kilts website Celtic Croft website Celtic Corner website Houston Kiltmakers

User Tag List

Page 3 of 6 FirstFirst 12345 ... LastLast
Results 21 to 30 of 54
  1. #21
    Join Date
    24th July 07
    Location
    Spotsylvania, Virginia USA
    Posts
    7,132
    Mentioned
    5 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)
    I second the sentiment stated to honor my heritage, comfort and to be different. When I wrap my feileadh mhor, I'm transported to another time and place - Alba!

  2. #22
    Join Date
    23rd May 07
    Location
    Central Delaware U.S.
    Posts
    414
    Mentioned
    0 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)
    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.

  3. #23
    Join Date
    10th June 07
    Location
    Solingen/Germany
    Posts
    86
    Mentioned
    0 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)
    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

  4. #24
    Join Date
    14th December 05
    Location
    Coeur d Alene, ID
    Posts
    4,410
    Mentioned
    0 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)
    I've been told by my aged dad that his blood is Scots, Welsh, English in that order but its been nearly impossible to pin that down. I guess that means I'm a typical American mutt. The point is - I don't know if I was born a "Scot" but I know a Scot was born in me the first time I heard a pipe band and saw rows of kilts swinging in parade as a kid.

    At fifty-odd years of age I decided I was tired of making everyone else happy and decided I would please myself by wearing a kilt as often as I can - turns out that's almost daily.

    Why do I wear a kilt? Sure its a celebration of cultural heritage and comfort, but mostly I wear a kilt because I choose to.

    Welcome to XMarks from the hills and streams of north Idaho!

  5. #25
    highlander_Daz's Avatar
    highlander_Daz is offline Oops, it seems this member needs to update their email address
    Join Date
    9th February 05
    Location
    Inverness Scotland
    Posts
    1,106
    Mentioned
    0 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)
    "Yer not going to start another Jacobite rebellion big guy?"

    Nope not after what happened last time!

  6. #26
    Join Date
    30th August 07
    Location
    Scotland
    Posts
    106
    Mentioned
    0 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)
    Guid man! What tartan do you wear? sorry for all the questions but am doing a wee survey. Do people approach ye expecting tae here a scottish accent and if they do what is there reaction?
    Unrelated question, i used tae work as a professional photographer covering all aspects, started to lose business when digital came oot, whit aboot you? still going strong?
    Thanks for feedback!

  7. #27
    Join Date
    13th September 04
    Location
    California, USA
    Posts
    11,885
    Mentioned
    0 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)
    So many of us here, and such similar stories.

    Like PDCorlis, I'm an American Mutt....Scottish, English, French Canadian, Swedish and so on. My ancestors have been in North America for 200+ years, and all my Scottish connections date from 1730-1770.

    But I love Scottish and Irish music. Pipes, somehow, are like nothing else. I'm a classical and jazz musician and you know,bagpipes are "the joke", right? I think I'm the only one in the orchestra that I sometimes play in that "gets" pipes. For me, it started with the music. I saw somemusicians wearing kilts andthought..."that's cool. I could do that".

    So I did. And do. Regularly.

    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. That also comes in handy at work, that people remember who I am.

    Strangely enough, I don't think that kilts are THAT much more comfortable than pants.

  8. #28
    highlander_Daz's Avatar
    highlander_Daz is offline Oops, it seems this member needs to update their email address
    Join Date
    9th February 05
    Location
    Inverness Scotland
    Posts
    1,106
    Mentioned
    0 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)
    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.)

  9. #29
    Join Date
    29th January 06
    Location
    Asheville, NC
    Posts
    2,868
    Mentioned
    3 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)
    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 )
    Last edited by Tartan Hiker; 31st August 07 at 09:24 AM.
    Kilted Teacher and Wilderness Ranger and proud member of Clan Donald, USA
    Happy patron of Jack of the Wood Celtic Pub and Highland Brewery in beautiful, walkable, and very kilt-friendly Asheville, NC.
    New home of Sierra Nevada AND New Belgium breweries!

  10. #30
    Join Date
    13th September 04
    Location
    California, USA
    Posts
    11,885
    Mentioned
    0 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)
    Quote Originally Posted by McG View Post
    Guid man! What tartan do you wear? sorry for all the questions but am doing a wee survey. Do people approach ye expecting tae here a scottish accent and if they do what is there reaction?
    Unrelated question, i used tae work as a professional photographer covering all aspects, started to lose business when digital came oot, whit aboot you? still going strong?
    Thanks for feedback!
    I can, and sometimes do, put on a thick brogue just to mess with people. Usually I get a startled look for a few seconds, and then we all laugh. I may recite a couple of favorite Scottish jokes in brogue, and then just tell them in my normal voice that I'm from California.

    The majority of people who talk to me ask the same questions.

    1. Do you play bagpipes, or ...where are your bagpipes?
    2. Is that your clan tartan?


    It's amazing how many people cannot conceive of a Scotsman who does NOT play bagpipes. It's also amazing how many people are momentarily non-plussed when I tell them no, I don't play bagpipes, but I do play saxophone and clarinet. It's like...Scotsman can ONLY play bagpipes. It's also news to many people that there are tartans OTHER than Clan tartans....or that anyone would wear a tartan that wasn't THEIR clan....like it's a criminal offense to wear the wrong tartan.

    I don't get angry over this, though I must admit that the bagpipes question is getting old, after three years of it. I just answer the questions, have a nice conversation,and go on my way.

Page 3 of 6 FirstFirst 12345 ... LastLast

Similar Threads

  1. So This Is What It Means To Be Kilted?
    By Dreadbelly in forum General Kilt Talk
    Replies: 41
    Last Post: 22nd November 04, 02:44 PM
  2. Is this what it means to be free of Trousers?
    By RockyR in forum Show us your pics
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: 13th September 04, 06:38 AM

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  

» Log in

User Name:

Password:

Not a member yet?
Register Now!
Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v4.2.0