American in Scotland

**Riverkilt** · 27th February 09, 07:09 AM

Jock's comment is interesting.

I live in a tourist town and most of our visitors are from other countries. One of the most remarkable things to me has been how many folks from Scotland have stopped me, even chased me down, to find out more about my Utilitkilts. If I'm wearing a tartan kilt they may stop me and ask me if I'm Scottish, be friendly. When I'm wearing a Utilikilt the Scottish tourists fire question after question at me wanting to know more - all positive. Have never had a negative remark made about a Utilikilt by a Scottish tourist.

So, go figure....

Ron

**Redshank** · 27th February 09, 08:31 AM

Ron ................ that'll be the Scottish sense of humour then lol

**Jimmy** · 27th February 09, 09:05 AM

I watched the last few minutes of Scotland on Film, tough live in the islands a few years ago, particularly when it is only in recent years electricity has been brought in.
You mentioned that there was no sign of anyone kilted, that was true, but do you not agree that in Scotland in the last 20 years there has been a resurgence in the number of kilt wearers. Probably over this weekend I will be in Glasgow City Centre and it will be a surprise if I do not see a few kilties about. The kilt certainly is getting more popular just to wear when you go out on some occassion that may not be remotely formal.
Towards the end of last month the number of kilties throughout Scotland must have been a record number, people who have never worn a kilt were kilted up for the ever increasing Burns Nights.
It can be argued that the more economical kilts have encouraged a greater number of people to get kilted. Until the advent of the cheaper kilt wering a kilt was an expensive habit.

**Phil** · 27th February 09, 09:37 AM

I do agree that kilt-wearing is very much more popular now than even just 20 years ago. It probably has a lot to do with the hated poll-tax etc. and the wish to show our national identity. I was really trying to highlight the sort of misconceptions that are about such as that all highlanders wear kilts when, in fact, few if any of them can afford a kilt, then or now. There was a thread recently "Highlanders v. Lowlanders" reinforcing such misconceptions about Scotland and I do feel that visitors come here and feel somehow cheated when they find hardly anyone actually wears the kilt.
I haven't been to a Burns supper for a number of years now but the only one kilted that I remember was the piper piping in the haggis. That is good that more people now go kilted but it is not traditional to do so.

**shawhighlander** · 27th February 09, 11:01 AM

Originally Posted by Jock Scot

So, If you were making a home here for say 6 months or more, stick with one tartan, particularly in the highlands. Nothing would ever be said, but the thought would most certainly be there; "poser", if, you were to wear different tartans.

This is actually much needed information for me, and I appreciate it.
"When in Rome, do as the Romans do". I totally agree.

Interestingly, if the 'Scots' and 'Americans' were compared to fine Scotch, I see that the Scottish would be more or less a single-malt and the Americans would be a blend. What I mean is that if you're from Scotland, perhaps you have a much better chance of a solitary traceable bloodline. We Americans are lucky if we can't find 15* or more [*exageration]. Hence the fact of why we might want to wear more than one Tartan.

Take me for instance...I have strong Scottish, German, French and English roots, however, the one that seems to be my calling card or my heart song, would be Scottish (it's in me blood). Furthermore, upon much study I have traced my bloodline to Shaw, MacIntosh, Boyd, Chattan, MacPherson, Forbes, MacDonald, and Johnstone.

As point of fact, I feel that we 'Americans' support *ALL* of our Clan relations with such passion as to be mauled by it. I, myself, hunger for any connection that I can find because it makes me feel alive and have a better understanding for why I do the things I do. Therefore, I tend to want to honor all of the Clans.

...again, I totally agree with your suggestion when in the Highlands.

ith:

**Jock Scot** · 27th February 09, 01:06 PM

Originally Posted by shawhighlander

This is actually much needed information for me, and I appreciate it.
"When in Rome, do as the Romans do". I totally agree.

Interestingly, if the 'Scots' and 'Americans' were compared to fine Scotch, I see that the Scottish would be more or less a single-malt and the Americans would be a blend. What I mean is that if you're from Scotland, perhaps you have a much better chance of a solitary traceable bloodline. We Americans are lucky if we can't find 15* or more [*exageration]. Hence the fact of why we might want to wear more than one Tartan.

Take me for instance...I have strong Scottish, German, French and English roots, however, the one that seems to be my calling card or my heart song, would be Scottish (it's in me blood). Furthermore, upon much study I have traced my bloodline to Shaw, MacIntosh, Boyd, Chattan, MacPherson, Forbes, MacDonald, and Johnstone.

As point of fact, I feel that we 'Americans' support *ALL* of our Clan relations with such passion as to be mauled by it. I, myself, hunger for any connection that I can find because it makes me feel alive and have a better understanding for why I do the things I do. Therefore, I tend to want to honor all of the Clans.

...again, I totally agree with your suggestion when in the Highlands.

ith:

Our past clan connections are there anyway, whether we choose to remember them or not is another matter. We wear the one tartan,for all sorts of reasons, but that does not mean, necessarily, for one second that the other clan connections are swept aside and forgotten.Its just that ,generally speaking, we choose to wear the one tartan. Its just our way. Oh and cheaper ,of course!

**shawhighlander** · 27th February 09, 01:17 PM

Thanks Jock,
If I'm not mistaken, the tartan was designed for identification purposes, therefore I would see why you would prefer to keep with the tradition even now. I will absolutely honor this advice when I visit my 'ancestral home' in the Highlands.

Cheers,

**Jock Scot** · 27th February 09, 01:25 PM

Originally Posted by shawhighlander

Thanks Jock,
If I'm not mistaken, the tartan was designed for identification purposes, therefore I would see why you would prefer to keep with the tradition even now. I will absolutely honor this advice when I visit my 'ancestral home' in the Highlands.

Cheers,

If you need any help with planning your trip over then, please do let me know if you think I can be of some assistance.

**shawhighlander** · 27th February 09, 01:41 PM

Originally Posted by Jock Scot

If you need any help with planning your trip over then, please do let me know if you think I can be of some assistance.

Brilliant! You bet

Always good to have a friend there. I have been crossing my fingers to make this July for The Gathering, but actually I hope to live in Scotland and tour my music from there. We'll see where the watercourse leads!

Slainte, Mate!

**Akilter** · 27th February 09, 02:35 PM

Originally Posted by shawhighlander

This is actually much needed information for me, and I appreciate it.
"When in Rome, do as the Romans do". I totally agree.

Interestingly, if the 'Scots' and 'Americans' were compared to fine Scotch, I see that the Scottish would be more or less a single-malt and the Americans would be a blend. What I mean is that if you're from Scotland, perhaps you have a much better chance of a solitary traceable bloodline. We Americans are lucky if we can't find 15* or more [*exageration]. Hence the fact of why we might want to wear more than one Tartan.

Take me for instance...I have strong Scottish, German, French and English roots, however, the one that seems to be my calling card or my heart song, would be Scottish (it's in me blood). Furthermore, upon much study I have traced my bloodline to Shaw, MacIntosh, Boyd, Chattan, MacPherson, Forbes, MacDonald, and Johnstone.

As point of fact, I feel that we 'Americans' support *ALL* of our Clan relations with such passion as to be mauled by it. I, myself, hunger for any connection that I can find because it makes me feel alive and have a better understanding for why I do the things I do. Therefore, I tend to want to honor all of the Clans.

...again, I totally agree with your suggestion when in the Highlands.

ith:

I identify completely with Shawhighlander. As an American, whatever that means, my heart is definitely from another place. My namesake ancestors were Borderers and I am the last male in my family line with this last name.

I have spent time in Scotland visiting a large part of it (although the last time was nearly 12 years ago now), and the Borders are my "spiritual home". On one of my trips I carried my kilt all around the country, but never put it on. Mostly not wanting to explain why. I just didn't have the nerve I guess.
I've actually only seen 2 "civilians" wearing one. One was a tour guide outside Waverly Station, and the other was a local chap in Portree on Skye.

As I said it's been awhile since my last visit, and I'm pleased to hear that wearing a kilt is becoming more popular. I'll bring mine back the next time I visit. I also understand and only wear my family tartan or one I have a true connection to, like the USMC. Although some are very handsome I'm not really interested in wearing another. Strange isn't it?

Dave Scott