Introductions...

[macwilkin]

I know I've already starting posting, but I suppose I should go through the formality of introducing myself (in brief):

I've been wearing kilts now for over 10 years; first kilt was a Canadian Army Surplus (Black Watch of Canada) kilt made in Glasgow; I know own two kilts in Gunn Modern and Cumming/Buchan Hunting Ancient; the former was made by J. Higgins, and the latter by Hector Russell Canada (great folks, btw!)

I was married in my Gunn kilt back in September 2002. My wife is of Louisiana French Cajun heritage; her ancestors left Nova Scotia in 1755 during "Le Grand Derangement" and ironically, were Scots settlers named Melanson/Melancon that had been assimilated with the Acadians!

I am currently the Missouri & Arkansas Commissioner for Clans Cumming & Gunn, and a member of several Scottish & masonic organisations.

That's all for now! (whew!)

Yours Aye,

Todd (episcopalscot)

[Xcop]

Welcome Todd,
From a Nova Scotian living in Hawaii. I think you will like it here.

David

[bubba]

Greetings and welcome Todd.I'm near Green Bay Wisconsin no particular accomplishments other than being rebellious, a malcontent and a social rabblerouser.

[GMan]

Todd,

We are all malcontents and rabblerousers on this forum, you are fitting in well.

[Graham]

Another Gunn tartan wearer and another mason, they are starting to take over!!!!

I'm struggling to entice my fellow Australians on the board for a bit of support, where are they all?

Thanks for the intro, good to see you here.

[Plastic Paddy]

Yes welcome, I mentioned in another thread, but cool avatar.

Slainte,

Tobie

[Doc Hudson]

Welcome aboard Brother.

Have you considered the Grand Lodge of Scotland Tartan?

Glad to see yet another Mason join the crowd.

[Blu (Ontario)]

Hello Todd (episcopalscot)...
You're obviously a person of experience when it comes to kilts. I believe I may have browsed over some of your posts on other forums. I also recall coming across your handle a while back on a "Tartan Police" website. Just out of curiosity, what attracted you here? Hope you enjoy the group. We're always good for a laugh or two.

[Graham]

Speaking of which, 'scuse my ignorance, but what are the flag you and Doc are flying?

[Doc Hudson]

Speaking of which, 'scuse my ignorance, but what are the flag you and Doc are flying?

I can't speak for Todd's flag, cause I don't recognize it. Looks like a Canadian Province to me.

The flag in my Signature Line it known as The Bonnie Blue Flag. Though it originated in 1810, it became closely associated with the Southern Independence Movement as early as the 1830's, and several Confederate States adopted some version of the Bonnie Blue Flag as their flags after their secession from the United States in 1861.

The Bonnie Blue Flag is still used by Southern Patriots. It is partly pessimism about the current state of the Union, part opposition to the increasingly overwhelming growth of the Federal Government, and partly regional pride.

Here is a short article on the origin of the Bonnie Blue Flag from http://www.anyflag.com/history/bonnie.htm :

Bonnie Blue Flag

The first recorded use of the lone star flag dates to 1810. On September 11, 1810 a troop of West Florida dragoons set out for the provincial capitol at Baton Rouge under this flag. They were joined by other republican forces and captured Baton Rouge, imprisoned the Governor and on September 23, 1810 raised their Bonnie Blue flag over the Fort of Baton Rouge. Three days later the president of the West Florida Convention, signed a Declaration of Independence and the flag became the emblem of a new republic. By December 10, the flag of the United States replaced the Bonnie Blue after President Madison issued a proclamation declaring West Florida under the jurisdiction of the Governor of the Louisiana Territory. With this rebellion in mind, this flag was used by the Republic of Texas from 1836 to 1839. On January 9, 1861 the convention of the People of Mississippi adopted an Ordinance of Secession. With this announcement the Bonnie Blue flag was raised over the capitol building in Jackson. Harry McCarthy was so inspired that he wrote a song entitled "The Bonnie Blue Flag" which became the second most popular patriotic song of the Confederacy. The Confederate government did not adopt this flag but the people did and the lone star flags were adopted in some form in five of the southern States that adopted new flags in 1861.

Probably more than you wanted to know.