Wearing a kilt but not being Scottish

[Carolina Kiltman]

It would be a real shame if things got out of hand here, but we Highland Scots often have a quiet smile at the lowlanders who are wearing the kilt and are loudly claiming the kilt as Stottish attire. Oh, it is all good fun!

Of course, the roman soldiers wore a longish shirt under their armor, and the effect was similar to the kilt. Then there is the Greek Evizone(sp?) Point I am trying to make here that yes, the kilt is a uniquely highland garment a short "skirt" was the norm for men in many regions over time. The fact that my Mother was from Mull, doesn't stop me from wearing the kilt with pride. I agree, Jock, that we need to keep all in the spirit of good fun.

[highlander_Daz]

I was talking to an Australian Gentleman yesterday and he confessed Hed love to wear the kIlt but he felt his status as an Australian prevented him from doing so, which is sad really, he was amazed when I explaned that not so many years ago the penalty for repeat offenders wearing Tartan was a (free!!) trip to Australia (his Majesty's plantations beyond the seas,) which he found frustrating given the price of air travel thsese days!!

I suggested he looked at some of Australias bank notes to see Scots faces staring back at him and that Scots had played a huge part in shaping Modern Australia.
and of course suggested he check out Xmarks

[Beertigger]

I was talking to an Australian Gentleman yesterday and he confessed Hed love to wear the kIlt but he felt his status as an Australian prevented him from doing so, which is sad really, he was amazed when I explaned that not so many years ago the penalty for repeat offenders wearing Tartan was a (free!!) trip to Australia (his Majesty's plantations beyond the seas,) which he found frustrating given the price of air travel thsese days!!

Since the Dress Act was repealed in 1782, and the First Fleet didn't sail for Australia until 1787, any Scotsmen sentenced to transportation for refusing to give up their Highland dress were probably sent to America.

[highlander_Daz]

Thats very interesting, a google search on the phrase "his majestys plantations" suggest that this could refer to the west indies, a lot of quakers were sent there, also Jamaica is mentioned as well.

heres a historical document that refers to plantations on the continent of America

http://www.british-history.ac.uk/rep...x?compid=81474

Im unable to find any court records or such that relate to a convicted highlander being deported for wearing Tartan, anyone else any luck? is there any evidence of an individual being deported for the offence and if so where did they end up?

[kiltimabar]

The fact that my Mother was from Mull, doesn't stop me from wearing the kilt with pride.

What's embarrasing about Mull? That's not Lowland, it's headquarters for Maclean country--and Maclaine of Lochbuie, too. So what tartan do you wear?