I'd like to say hi to all fellow 'kilties', Scots and Scottish descendants alike.

A bit about me...

I'm an Aussie with Scottish ancestory on my Father's side (Clan Grant). I have recently started embracing my heritage after my Mum found out more about Dad's side of the family while actively researching my family tree.

I have always 'felt Scottish' but never really connected why (My definition of 'feeling Scottish' - Strangely moved, to the point of tears by bagpipes , a strange connection or deep emotional reaction to seeing the Scottish Highlands shown on TV and having never visited there, a tangeable but inexplicable feeling of belonging etc..) Dad had mentioned in the past, that his Grandparents had thick Scottish accents but he couldn't remember more as they had died when he was young and back then, I wasn't really interested in my heritage. Since then, I've wanted to know more as I felt it helped define who I was. I was overjoyed when Mum found positive proof that I had Scottish blood in my veins! I wasn't crazy after all!

Since then, I have embraced all things Scottish. I have started wearing a ladies kilt when I can, becoming involved with Caledonian societies, danced at ceilidhs, find myself addicted to the music of Albannach, been to a Burn's Night, had Haggis...and loved it! I'm type of lass who feels more comfortable wearing a knee length kilt over a dress and sash I also like historical costuming.

Unfortunately I haven't been able to convince Dad to don the kilt and have sometimes had strange reactions from him about me wearing one out in public, but I'm sure, with time that will change and he will learn to embrace his own heritage like I have done.

I have been lurking around X Marks for some time, gleaning valuable information (thanks guys!), and thought it was about time I got involved.

My Username

I chose 'Highland Lass' because my ancestors came from the Highlands and the first time I ever wore a kilt in public, to a Celtica Festival, a Scottish woman smiled said "Don't you look the proper Highland Lass then".

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I saw a video on Youtube that inspired me, it was about a t-shirt made by Scotland Rising and spoken about by Jamesie Johnston of the band Albannach. It encourages people to be proud of their Scottish heritage...

"From the Isles' northernmost realm came the Scot, bred with the stoutest will, the canniest wit, and bravest heart. For reasons dire did Scots forsake kin and kith and set forth across the face of the earth to fend for themselves, and in the process, they built nations, empires, and new worlds...

A Scot is a Scot even unto a hundred generations"