All dressed up

[Michael Weatherhead]

Wore my kilt outfit to church, today. Also did a short presentation, to the kids, about Ireland and Scotland. The photos are of me and my wife. She's Italian, so there aren't any tall genes, in her clan.

[Michael Weatherhead]

Forgot to mention..a little girl asked my wife if I was wearing one of her skirts. ughhh.

[Michael Weatherhead]

I have a young friend, who has lived in Scotland, and owns a kilt, etc. Before I wore mine to church, I asked him if he has done the same, and was his wife cool with it? He said yes to both. Then I thought, The heck with it, I'm proud of my heritage, I'm gonna do it. My wife was fine with it, too. The little kids at church weren't sure what I was doing in a "skirt." I got weird looks, and innocent questions, from them. But from the adults, I got a little teasing, but mostly discussions about Scotland, and their Scottish lineage. It was a good experience. Add to that, the small presentation I did, for the kids, and what fun that was. I'm happy I wore my kilt outfit. I feel proud to wear it. I lived in Scotland for two years, as a young man (on a mission, for my church). I've since done extensive geneology, and found many of my ancestors. I've traced my paternal line to Berwickshire. So, I guess it's about time I sported a kilt.

[freep]

I'm enjoying your posts.

We'll have to meet up in PHX and share a dram.

[kiltedcontractor]

I would love to meet both of you. Michael, i have almost no celtic lineage and wear a kilt often (at least 3 days a week). Living in a "non kilt" area.....i get alot of looks. The number one question i get is "where are your bagpipes?". It seems that in my area kilts =bagpipes and are irish not scottish. I wonder if non kilties perceptions vary by geography?

[Michael Weatherhead]

I want to bring pipers to our annual Gila Valley Pioneer Day celebration. It's been around for over 100 years, yet to my knowledge, there has never been pipers/pipe bands involved in it. Many people whom I talk to have Scottish/Irish ancestry. I have contacted all the AZ bagpipe bands, but have gotten nowhere with that. If someone knows a member, or director of one of the bands, please put me in touch with them. The event includes: parade, food, games, entertainment, fireworks. All that is missing, are bagpipes. The following photo shows a float that I designed and built, for our church. It represented mining, ranching, and farming. But I own a kilt, and several flags (Scottish and Irish). I want to bring pipes to our valley.

[Michael Weatherhead]

Every May, for cinco de mayo, there are dancers, music, etc, representing the Mexican culture. All I want to do, is to bring in music (besides country music, or fiddlers), which represents our ancestors. That's all.(photos are of the group "Tartanic," at the AZ Ren Festival, a couple years ago).

[Michael Weatherhead]

Sorry for the sideways photos

[freep]

You should be able to make some piper contacts next weekend.