Kilts, Ireland and Wales

[BoldHighlander]

Which isn't quite true, given the fact that there is a renewed interest in the links between Scotland & Ulster, which has manifested in the form of pipe bands, Highland dancing, tartans, etc. That was my point.

I'm a regular subscriber to "The Ulster-Scot" newspaper (put out by the Ulster-Scots Agency in Ulster) and from what I've seen written & pictured within you'd be correct in your statement Todd.

As to the Ulster Scots, they mainly originated in the Scottish Border counties, names such as Bell, Scott, Armstrong, Douglas etc. and were a troublesome people, constantly raiding their English neighbours who had to build many castles for protection. They were not kilt-wearers, however, and, as a result, no tradition of kilt-wearing was transported with them, first to Ulster and then on to the New World where they exercised their "reiving" skills to survive among hostile peoples.

While you'd be correct that they "mainly originated" in the Border regions, in my own case most all of my ancestors who were Ulster Scots can be traced back directly to the Highlands, including my McReynolds who were known as MacRanald of Keppoch.

[TechBear]

I'm a bit embarassed at how off my information was, though; I need to be more careful looking things up.