I am "Just Hugh."

**Just Hugh** · 29th December 13, 07:15 PM

I guess I broke protocol and posted without introducing myself. So I'm here in the "newbie" section at the end of my first day to make up for it.

Where to begin? My grandfather, Hugh, immigrated to the United States from Scotland due to a firmly held (and often repeated) belief that if you are educated and work hard you can succeed in this country. His firstborn son, my uncle Hugh, didn't really apply that precept of his father's - he followed a different version of the American Dream. Having chosen a leather jacket, a motorcycle, and brill cream where a helmet should have been he died upon impact with a car in his early thirties.

Two years later, I was born and when my mother told my grandfather she'd named me "Hugh" it wasn't necessary to say anything else.

Grandpa Hugh used to take us to the Scottish games when we were kids. He showed me the Sgian Dubhs, let the sound of bagpipes into my young ears, then died of a heart attack on my 8th birthday.

So, at the age of eight, I became the oldest Scottish male in my family. Like Johnny Cash's "The Boy Named 'Sue'," all I had been given from the men in my family to guide me was this name, "Hugh."

Now I'm the father of a young man with Scottish ancestors. I'll have to teach him traditions that were never taught to me. I'm here to make sure I get it right, because I didn't name him "Hugh."

**Father Bill** · 29th December 13, 07:27 PM

Welcome to the "Great Rabble!"

**Spartan Tartan** · 29th December 13, 07:28 PM

from Rhode Island

**Rick Y** · 29th December 13, 07:34 PM

A big welcome from Vancouver, WA

**Hawk** · 29th December 13, 07:53 PM

Hugh, a warm welcome to the XMTS Community here......

I am sure that you will find vast resources here concerning the Kilt and the wearing of it, and as far as "traditions" are concerned, you might find a assortment of contacts to help you on your noble endeavor, in learning and passing on those items from your family's history and traditions from Scotland. As a Tribal man from this continent I share with you that these sort of things, those that run through or blood and being, are very important to pass on to the future generations. So, may your path be good, the way presents itself to you and your family, and blessings be yours.

Hawk

**ASinclair** · 29th December 13, 08:02 PM

Hello Just Hugh!

As Hawk said, you've come to the right place. And I think Hugh is a fine name (my great grandfather and great, great, great, grandfather were named Hugh.

)

**NorseCelt** · 29th December 13, 08:02 PM

Greetings Hugh, and welcome from north-eastern Illinois.

**kiltedrennie** · 29th December 13, 08:08 PM

Welcome from Michigan!

**Just Hugh** · 29th December 13, 08:19 PM

Originally Posted by Hawk

Hugh, a warm welcome to the XMTS Community here......

I am sure that you will find vast resources here concerning the Kilt and the wearing of it, and as far as "traditions" are concerned, you might find a assortment of contacts to help you on your noble endeavor, in learning and passing on those items from your family's history and traditions from Scotland. As a Tribal man from this continent I share with you that these sort of things, those that run through or blood and being, are very important to pass on to the future generations. So, may your path be good, the way presents itself to you and your family, and blessings be yours.

Hawk

Thank you, Hawk. You have summed up my objective perfectly. My son and I are also learning to play the snare drums with a pipe and drum band. It's funny how you start down a path at a stroll and end up quite far along before you know it.

Not too long ago, we were at a friend's house who had just had new rugs delivered. There were these giant cardboard tubes that the rugs had been rolled on discarded outside the house. We were on the porch cooking burgers on the grill and when I looked over, my son and the other boys had the cardboard tubes out and were playing at tossing them like a caber.

I felt pretty satisfied that I'd made up for a lot of lost time and tradition, and wished my Grandpa Hugh could have seen it.

Another funny moment was for this year's forth grade picture day, my son said he wanted to wear a kilt for his class picture. We told him that wasn't necessary.