Norfolk - U K

**Chas** · 21st January 09, 10:09 AM

Hello All,

I have been lurking here for the last few weeks to try and get a feel of the community before committing. So having read many of the threads, I now think it is time to come out of the closet and announce myself.

I am Chas Charles-Dunne, 56, married to the beautiful and long suffering Margaret and have one son Craig, 24, who is an ambulance technician. I live and work in the Royal County of Norfolk in the UK.

Strictly speaking I should be Chas Dunne, but my great grandfather (born in Aberdeen) was orphaned at two months old and was raised by an aunt and uncle called ‘Charles’. He went through life as either John Charles or John Dunne till the British Army gave him a medal in Northern India, engraved with the name ‘Charles-Dunne’. We have been Charles-Dunne ever since.

Elderly relatives told me that my grandfather spoke with that neutral ‘no-accent’ as they do in Aberdeen. Except when he got excited and he would then lapse into broad Scots – so broad if fact that most people could not understand him. So, on my father’s side I am ¼ Scots. On my mother’s side I am 1/8th Scots (I am also 1/8th Belgian – it’s not my fault, don’t blame me).

For many years I believed that whatever the social occasion, I had the right attire for it. So morning dress, black tie, white tie (with or without medals) were all no problem. Then one day, out of the blue, I won a full highland/Celtic/Scots rig out – kilt, hose, flashes, brogues, sporran, kilt pin, belt, buckle, ghillie shirt, skean dhu. All I had to do was provide sizes and the goods would be shipped to me. The problem then arose – to which clan do I belong? I did some very swift searching and found – NOTHING. Many sources directed me to Clan Dunbar. When I approached them, they said hello and good bye all in one breath. I have recently been pointed towards Clan Donnachaidh (Clan Robertson) – they are not sure, as we have always been ‘Dunne’ and not ‘Donn’. I had to make a decision at the time and of the available tartans it came down to Royal Stewart or Black Watch. I chose the Royal Stewart.

My current problem is – where can I wear my kilt? Not as easy as one might think. I can’t wear it at work (Health & Safety Regulations) and I don’t have an occasion to wear it otherwise. I am desperately searching for a Highland/Scots/Caledonian event so I can be seen in public amongst others and not look like a fool on my own. As it stands at the moment, I come home in the evening and get changed and do whatever I have to do in the secret hope that some emergency will arise and I will have to dash out in my kilt. So far this village of mine has been a haven of peace and tranquillity.

So there you have it. My wife and I are planning to go to The Gathering in July, but I had hoped to have a little more practice before hand! I look forward to taking part in this group and welcome all comments, especially those from UK kilties.

Regards

Chas

**BEEDEE** · 21st January 09, 10:32 AM

from coastal North Carolina. Possibly too late to find a Burns supper this weekend but there are Highland Games and Gatherings in the UK. And you can always wear the outfit at the weekend!

Brian

**Arnot** · 21st January 09, 10:36 AM

Welcome from Palmer, Alaska. You do not really need a special occasion. I wear my kilt gear any time. I merely adjust to the occasion. If a suit is required then I wear the equivalent, etc. Wear it early and often.

Arnot

**macwilkin** · 21st January 09, 10:43 AM

Originally Posted by Chas

Hello All,

I have been lurking here for the last few weeks to try and get a feel of the community before committing. So having read many of the threads, I now think it is time to come out of the closet and announce myself.

I am Chas Charles-Dunne, 56, married to the beautiful and long suffering Margaret and have one son Craig, 24, who is an ambulance technician. I live and work in the Royal County of Norfolk in the UK.

Strictly speaking I should be Chas Dunne, but my great grandfather (born in Aberdeen) was orphaned at two months old and was raised by an aunt and uncle called ‘Charles’. He went through life as either John Charles or John Dunne till the British Army gave him a medal in Northern India, engraved with the name ‘Charles-Dunne’. We have been Charles-Dunne ever since.

Elderly relatives told me that my grandfather spoke with that neutral ‘no-accent’ as they do in Aberdeen. Except when he got excited and he would then lapse into broad Scots – so broad if fact that most people could not understand him. So, on my father’s side I am ¼ Scots. On my mother’s side I am 1/8th Scots (I am also 1/8th Belgian – it’s not my fault, don’t blame me).

For many years I believed that whatever the social occasion, I had the right attire for it. So morning dress, black tie, white tie (with or without medals) were all no problem. Then one day, out of the blue, I won a full highland/Celtic/Scots rig out – kilt, hose, flashes, brogues, sporran, kilt pin, belt, buckle, ghillie shirt, skean dhu. All I had to do was provide sizes and the goods would be shipped to me. The problem then arose – to which clan do I belong? I did some very swift searching and found – NOTHING. Many sources directed me to Clan Dunbar. When I approached them, they said hello and good bye all in one breath. I have recently been pointed towards Clan Donnachaidh (Clan Robertson) – they are not sure, as we have always been ‘Dunne’ and not ‘Donn’. I had to make a decision at the time and of the available tartans it came down to Royal Stewart or Black Watch. I chose the Royal Stewart.

My current problem is – where can I wear my kilt? Not as easy as one might think. I can’t wear it at work (Health & Safety Regulations) and I don’t have an occasion to wear it otherwise. I am desperately searching for a Highland/Scots/Caledonian event so I can be seen in public amongst others and not look like a fool on my own. As it stands at the moment, I come home in the evening and get changed and do whatever I have to do in the secret hope that some emergency will arise and I will have to dash out in my kilt. So far this village of mine has been a haven of peace and tranquillity.

So there you have it. My wife and I are planning to go to The Gathering in July, but I had hoped to have a little more practice before hand! I look forward to taking part in this group and welcome all comments, especially those from UK kilties.

Regards

Chas

Hello, Chas!

Don't forget there is a tartan for Aberdeen that would certainly be appropriate for you to wear:

www.district-tartans.com/aberdeen.htm

Tally Ho!

Todd

**McMathTX** · 21st January 09, 10:46 AM

Welcome from Fort Worth, Texas!
Dean

**fudgeman** · 21st January 09, 10:55 AM

from Charlotte, NC

**Ruanaidh** · 21st January 09, 10:56 AM

Chas, welcome to the rabble from West Texas.

**turpin** · 21st January 09, 10:58 AM

Welcome, Chas. You might do a search on threads started by Hamish. He is a long-time member from Sussex, owns no pants, has over 90 kilts, and is the Grand Old Man of this forum.

By this I mean, one does not need a reason to wear the kilt other than one feels like doing so. The more you become comfortable in the kilt, the more you will want to wear it. Why own such a garment only to trot it out 2-3 times per year? Think of it as fashiopn choice to be made as you wish, not dictated by the calendar.

I own about 17 kilts (+/-) from very casual to 8 yard, 18 oz military box pleat. The nice thing about the "formal" kilts is that you can dress them up to the nines or down to the "twos" by your choice of other clothing items. Check out the threads on casual kilted pictures and formal kilted pictures here. They give a lot of ideas.

As to your tartan, I believe Dun means Brown in gaelic (might be wrong - it could mean fort. one or the other, or both). There is a Brown family tartan that is quite nice.

here is the Dunn Tartan

here is the Doune Tartan

D@MN, why won't these show up? anyway, I got them off of Scotweb, a forum sponsor.

There are also a multitude of non-clan tartans, such as district tartans. If your ancestor was from Aberdeen, check out the Aberdeen District tartan

Well, never mind. You get the idea. Clan tartans are the start, but not the end.