Hello, X Markers.

I have been considering the purchase of a kilt for a long time now. I have also discussed this theme in another forum (nothing to do with kilts) of which I have been a member for some time now.

For years I've been considering the purchase of a kilt. I find the garment apealing, elegant and utterly different from anything we are used to see out there in the streets. However, I do not intend to wear a kilt very often. Perhaps when hiking about in the countryside or in some event where a great dose of excentricity might be allowed.

Let me explain why I said "excentricity". The fact is simple: I am not Scotish or, by any means, of Scotish extraction. I have no connection whatever with Scotland (except for a great deal of respect and a true love for all the British cultures). I cannot claim a single drop of blood that might have come from any part of the British Isles. I am Portuguese. The only Celt I may claim is the same that any other Portuguese man can claim... the Celts had settled in the Iberian Peninsula before the Romans did and left their contribution to genetic pool of the modern Portuguese.

But, no matter how hard I struggle, I cannot claim any Celtic origin in me.
Normaly that should put me off kilts. But it does not and I really want to have and wear a kilt. It wouldn't surprise anyone who knows me - it would just be another bit of cultural excentricity to add to the tweeds, the pipe and the English language that I love so much...

Having finished this small introduction, let me ask some questions.

As I understand, this forum is frequented by Scots, Americans, Canadians and other nationalities. However, all are - in general and culturaly speaking - of anglo-saxonic extractions with a varying degree of celtic sprinkling. Am I right? If so, you are - as it were - allowed or entitled to wear a kilt because of the cultural connecton to the Celts via your origin. I, being Portuguese, do not have such a connection.

That being said, would you object to my wearing of a kilt? I mean... am I right to assume that I am not culturaly entitled to wear a kilt? (Because I am very much willing to break that unspoken rule...)

If I were to wear a kilt, given my cultural background, which tartan might I wear (given that I have no clan connection, no British military connection and no connection to the Crown, meaning that I cannot wear the tartan of the chieftain)?

I suppose that, given that Portugal and Britain have been military allies since the 12th Century - longest military alliance ever and never marked by any sort of interegnum - I might be allowed to wear a Black Watch tartan. I could justify that if asked... Plus, the Black Watch is sort of the "default" tartan.

What do you think? Thank you!