Hello from Virginia!

**jgor** · 27th September 16, 03:35 PM

Hello all! I just joined - but you know that. I live in what is left of rural Virginia about 50 miles out side of DC in the "exurbs" as the call them - mostly hobby farms and organic producers filling niches at local Farmer's Markets and wineries. It is a nice place snuggled up against the Appellations. I can still commute to my IT job closer in.

That said, I have been searching my Scottish roots, my Mother's Mother was a Gracie from Cape Bretton Nova Scotia. Whose Family had been there since at least the 1840's and My Wife's family the Glasgow's who we have traced to 1749 Londonderry Northern Ireland and a marriage in 1770 in Virginia. Family tradition is that the Glasgow's are Scotts-Irish from the area around Glasgow Scotland, but no proof of that is evident. Long Story short on my and my wife's side there are lots of Scottish connections.

Interesting note - my Father who is of Irish Decent met my mother at a Scottish folk dance in the 1960's around Catholic University in DC. He had the full Kilt - he went with a Royal Stewart tartan PC Jacket etc.. My brother - who was much more like our father in build got the Kilt when my father passed. The kilt has since moved on to my nephew who is getting married on the 15th. So he is wearing it and asked me to wear one as well. So off I go buying a Kilt first then doing research on what to wear. So I went with the Scottish National Tartan - can't go wrong there, no one can complain if Im wearing an generic National tartan in honor of my wife and my roots. I have since found that the Gracies are part of the Clan Farquharson and I could have chosen that as well. I can not find a clan for the Glasgows but could use the regional one from them. I also found that my great uncle who served in the 85th Battalion Nova Scotia Highlanders in WW1 was a part of a Kilted Regiment and I could have chosen the Black Watch in honor of his ultimate sacrifice in the battle of Passchendaele in Belgium. So I think I have 3 more kilts to acquire.

I have enjoyed reading the boards and will be wearing full kilt and PC jacket to the formal wedding of my nephew. I will be wearing my medals earned in service in the US Navy - that search on how and what to wear is what brought me here. I am grateful that you exist.

**Mike in Dayton** · 27th September 16, 03:36 PM

Welcome to the group. If you have any kilt questions I am sure you will find the answer here.

Mike

**Tarheel** · 27th September 16, 03:58 PM

Well met new friend. Glad to have another vet among us. I hope the wedding goes well and is not your only kilting experience.

**jgor** · 27th September 16, 04:57 PM

Originally Posted by Tarheel

Well met new friend. Glad to have another vet among us. I hope the wedding goes well and is not your only kilting experience.

No sir - I have rented kilts before and am looking for any excuse to wear one in the future.

**ASinclair** · 27th September 16, 07:21 PM

Hello!

and

**Nile** · 27th September 16, 07:36 PM

Hi Jgor; welcome to X Marks. Thank you for that nice introduction. So many of us have gone down a similar path with regards to tracing our Scottish ancestry but it seems like you've made good progress.

Good going on you adventures with the kilt and enjoy this site; here in is the best education you can get about wearing a kilt.

Nile

**Jerry** · 27th September 16, 09:15 PM

Welcome to XMARKS from another Virginian. You might try attending some of the Highland Games and Celtic festivals in the area. I believe the next one is at the Richmond raceway Some of the XMARKS members arrange to meet there.