Hello from Rochester, New York USA

**James Broun Campbell** · 6th June 19, 06:56 PM

Hello fellow kilt aficionados!

I'm Jim, a fifty-something from Rochester, New York in the US. I'm not what you would call an extrovert, but after attending a highland games festival last year I decided to take the plunge and express my Caledonian heritage via the kilt. I try to wear it several days a week. I certainly draw stares in my hometown, where I expect everyone thinks of me as the crazy kilt guy, but I'm happy to say all the comments I've received have been positive (or at least inquisitive). It's forced me out of my comfort zone to an extent, but all in a good way. I'm an IT professional and recently retired volunteer Emergency Medical Technician with our local ambulance corps.

For my birthday I ordered a bespoke kilt from a wonderful local kiltmaker, Hazel Stewart at kiltshop.com. She recently completed for me a gorgeous 8-yard kilt in 13oz wool using the Campbell of Cawdor Ancient tartan. My mother is the family geneologist and she's traced our Scottish roots back to a Richard Campbell, b. 1804. A common enough name I expect. Alas, I have no information on exactly where in Scotland he came from. There are also ancestors surnamed Broun, so I threw them all together for my screen name. I'm also Irish (Fallon) and English (Smith) on my mother's side. My paternal grandfather was from Palermo, Sicily, and his wife was of German descent. I can also claim a bit of Native American heritage, as Mr. Campbell married a Cherokee woman. With such mixed heritage I can say I'm a true American.

I love the traditional aspect of the kilt, but I also own a few utility kilts. I find kilts to be comfortable and practical, to say nothing of the head-turning that they induce. I stumbled upon this forum recently and decided it would be a good time to join. I'm happy to be in esteemed company, and I look forward to learning from everyone.

**Jock Scot** · 6th June 19, 07:07 PM

Welcome, from Inverness-shire.

**Father Bill** · 7th June 19, 03:44 AM

Welcome to the "Great Rabble"!

**Tarheel** · 7th June 19, 04:28 AM

Well met and welcome Jim. Simple steps, like the ones you have taken, can make kilt wearing a natural part of the public's view of a most comfortable wardrobe. Glad to have you with us.