Attention MacLaren clan members and Boyscouts!

[Deirachel]

But, eaglemo and MichaelPHahn, what is allowed and what actually occurs are two totally different things. Technically, if a BSA scout is not wearing official trousers, skirts (for the female scouters) or shorts, they are out of uniform, unless they are a Venture, Sea, or Explorer post. I know of a number of units around the country that say "class A" is the shirt in proper order and dark indigo blue jeans. Yet, this is not officially allowed as even a lower class of uniform.

In fact, my Troop's strictness with the uniform policy (even using the half-patch cards to make sure your sleeves were properly aligned) was looked down upon by some scout leaders in the district. Of course, the older scouters and the ones who understood the uniform policy was about making everyone equal pointed it out.

I'd love for the BSA to recognize kilts as an alternative to the trousers/shorts/skirts, but unfortunately they haven't. I think they don't want to try to wade into the question of which tartans are allowed and which are not, which sporrans are official which are not, etc... Heck, think of the number of people who argue lowlander's shouldn't be kilted because it's a highland only thing. Or, the arguments of traditional kilts vs. contemporary kilt/MUGs. Honestly, I think it would be easy enough, you can wear a clan tartan if your clan has an official tartan, and they make an olive option like the saffron kilt of Ireland, traditional style for the dress class A (for anyone without a clan tartan), and contemporary kilt/MUG for the class A (like the difference between the cargo pocket and dress trouser difference.

[eaglemo]

Yes, the kilt is not official uniform wear, but most councils and scouters do not take a poor view of those who wear them, because they are glad to see scouters at any event and being active in the program (whatever they have on!). However, the biggest problem I have with the uniform, is that while national wants all scouts and scouters to be in a complete "Class A" outfit, then why don't they put a reasonable price on the stuff so that all scouts can afford to buy it!

[Antipodean Celt]

Hi all. I have nothing to contribute on the rights and wrongs of the rules. However, I can say that as a Scout and as a Venturer I wore a kilt as part of the 6th Hamilton (Scottish) group in NSW, Australia. Wearing the kilt was an important part of the group's identity and was (from memory) permitted on the basis that a certain % of the group could claim direct Scottish ancestry. We wore MacKenzie tartan, but I have no idea why that particular tartan was chosen. We were closely associated and sponsored by the local Presbyterian 'Scots Kirk', so the elders of the Kirk may have had something to do with it. Whatever the reason, I know I was very proud to wear the kilt as part of my scout uniform, and it was a powerful incentive for youngsters to move up from cubs (who wore standard uniform) to scouts (who were issued their kilt as part of the induction to scouts). The kilts also made us (as a group) very popular at parades and events like ANZAC Day ceremonies. I attach a photo of me taken in Perth, WA in 1984 during the Venture. All the best, John.

[dadgad]

I'm sorry, but I have to make a correction here: The older youth program in the BSA is Venturing, the members are Venturers, not Ventures. Our Regional and Area Venturing Officers Association presidents are from our council and they slam us every time we make that mistake.

That being said, I'm in MacLaren tartan every chance I get at a scouting event. All the Venturers in the council (that know me) always ask about it if I'm not wearing it. It's also quite popular with the Wood Badgers here.