Greetings,

I'd contemplated starting out this thread with the title "My Home's In Montana . . ." but then I started into digressions on lyrics from the old western ballad that begins with that line, so opted for the heart-felt greeting that you see.

I've lived in Montana all my life, with the exception of about 19 months after college when I travelled around, a bit.

Although I grew up in a family with a Scottish surname, and plenty of nearby relatives that definitely gave that upbringing a "clannish" feel, I first donned a kilt only seven years back. My partner at the time did a pretty good job of keeping the Christmas present quiet, but she takes great delight in pulling off Christmas surprises. The kilt was actually 6+ yards of double-wide woolen Modern Hunting Robertson, but it served me well as my only kilt for nearly 4 years, including 2 years with the local pipe band (we're something of a kiltie band, so everyone wears a different tartan).

Before anyone jumps to conclusions, I'm a tenor drummer . . .

During the past 3 years, I've purchased several "wee" kilts, starting with a 7-yard MHRobertson, a 4-yard Modern Red Robertson, and a Paisley District tartan kilt, all of which I've used at different points in time while playing with the local pipe band.

I've purchased used kilts for other folks who've come into the band, and a 4-yard MHRob'tson for a younger brother, as well. All of these have been 100% wool kilts.

In the past year, I've located a couple of "other" kilts. I bought a cheap Royal Stewart synthetic kilt to see what it looked like on me. As they say, you get what you pay for. I haven't had that one on, since. Looks bad, and feels worse. After some of the things I've heard about them, I'd hate to be anywhere near an open flame with that one on. The other was a Black Watch kilt I got from somebody selling on eBay "for a friend." The price seemed right, even though the guy only thought it was wool. That one turned out to be flannel, and seems to resemble something that was probably used in a theatrical production (merely a guess). However, it seems to fit fairly well, and with a couple of modifications, I'll wear it when I want to kilt up for going to some event where I wouldn't think of donning one of the others.

Enough talk of kilts , and my apparent fondness for them, for now.

Kind regards to All,
Mac