Pictures of my first kilt - a McLaren

[MichaelPHahn]

A few weeks ago Rocky, at USAKilts, shipped me my wonderful first kilt. It is a 5 yard, 16 oz., McLaren Modern tartan beauty.

I had several questions as I made my maiden voyage into the kilted world, and Rocky earned my business by resonding quickly with helpful comments and suggestions. Thanks, Rocky. I have received nothing but compliments on your work!

My people were/are Elliots, but this first kilt is McLaren, because of the clan's association with Boy Scout Adult Leader Training, known as Wood Badge. I will be wearing the kilt proudly at an award ceremony in just a couple of weeks (myself and another kilted Wood Badge candidate have received permission to deviate from standard uniform from the approriate individuals). In the mean time, I have taken some pictures (in Boy Scout uniform, and not), worn the kilt to the local renaissance festival with my beautiful bride on my arm, and helped present info on Scotland in my wife's 6th grade history class. More importantly, my 13 year old son has been converted from embaracement at teh "man skirt" (his words) to "Dad, when can I get an Elliot Tank.

Here are some pic.s of the new kilt:











I am looking forward to attending the Texas Scottish Festival and Highland Games, in Arlington, Texas, USA the first weekend in June. So far wearing the kilt has earned me a couple of free pints of Belhaven Ale from a Scot friend, a promise of a Pub Night from the same, a few whistles adn encouraging comments from female teachers at my wife's school, and some "Cool Kilt Mr. Hahn" comments from several High School guys.

You all inspire me. Thanks!

[Downunder Kilt]

Looking good Michael, I like the lovat green, lovat blue hose and red flashes in the photos. I also like the khaki hose with the red tops in your scouting uniform (mind if you tell us where you acquired them from?) I know a few members here have been after khaki hose and those red tops have something about them

Love the MacLaren kilt too, as I wear the ancient and weathered pallettes

[AKScott]

Looking good I think.

[Whidbey78]

Looks pretty sharp! Congrats.

Nice tartan. Good choices on the accessories as well. The hose colors are good, and that's a pretty cool belt!

I'm also curious about those red/khaki hose. Is there a supplier for those, maybe in other colors?

[Jock Scot]

I ask this out of interest, nothing more. You are wearing a scarf(sorry if that is not the correct word) of what appears to be tartan(MacLaren?), is that standard issue uniform?Or is that peculiar to your pack? Looking pretty good by the way!

[longhuntr74]

I also like the khaki hose with the red tops in your scouting uniform (mind if you tell us where you acquired them from?) I know a few members here have been after khaki hose and those red tops have something about them

Downunder...those hose are actually Olive and Red...I don't think they'd even qualify as khaki by UK definition...and they are official BSA socks...part of the BSA uniform. If you've looked my recent pics of my reproduction army belt, you'll see me wearing the same socks with my Black Watch kilt.

I ask this out of interest, nothing more. You are wearing a scarf(sorry if that is not the correct word) of what appears to be tartan(MacLaren?), is that standard issue uniform?Or is that peculiar to your pack? Looking pretty good by the way!

Jock...We call the scarf a neckerchief with the BSA uniform. The OP mentioned the tie between the MacLaren tartan/clan and a leader training program called Woodbadge (it is an international scouting program, coincidentally, not just BSA). I know that the Woodbadge Neckerchief that you are awarded when you earn your beads (the actual award for completion) has a small square of silk MacLaren tartan on the back. I believe that the neckerchief that the OP is wearing is the "Trainee" neckerchief that is worn prior to completion of the course. When I went through about 17 years ago, the trainee neckerchief was just plain green...but they've since totally revamp the course curriculum calling it 21st Century Woodbadge...so I think the neckerchief may have changed in conjunction with that overhaul.

[Downunder Kilt]

Thanks for the info longhuntr74. Whatever colour they classify them as, I like them and sorry, I did not notice them in your thread on the army reproduction belt. (mental note to oneself, must pay more attention to the whole picture)

[conversus]

Among other things, I really really like those red-top hose myself, i imagine that they would work well with my Stewart Hunting. . .

Wonderful snaps and a great tartan.

All around, you seem a lucky man!

CED

[Rollo]

Very nice pics ! Congratulations !

[MichaelPHahn]

Thanks for all the compliments.

Longhuntr74 has it right. The neckerchief is for Wood Badge candidates (It takes about 1 to 1 1/2 years to work through the requirements). When I receive my beads, as recognition of completion, I will also get a different neckerchief - it's a buff/sand color with a small swatch of McLaren tartan. Incidentally, while each national Boy Scout program has it's own rank and achievements for the scouts, Wood Bage is used by all (or so I am told).

The hose were official Boy Scouts of America uniform back in the 1970s. I had them all these years in a box of my old equipment. You can probably find some on eBay.