thank you Robin

[Joe Gondek]

I while back Robin shared this thoughts with us.

This is the power of the kilt...the kilt itself is beautiful and comfortable and more important...those who wear it (with great pride) show the world they're individuals...not afraid of what others think of them. It makes perfect sense the English banned the tartan after Culloden....a guy wearing a kilt is a rebel and potentially dangerous (prolly more potent also ).

I had been looking for a way to explain to my wife why I chose to wear the KIlt.

Robin said every thing I wanted to say.
After showing it to my wife she agreed that it fit me
So I continued reading what others had replied
and put this together:

This is the power of the kilt...

The kilt itself is beautiful and comfortable.

Proudly wearing the kilt honors your heritage .

Those wearing it know more about who they are and are not afraid of being themselves.

Those who wear it show the world they're individuals...not afraid of what others think of them.

It makes perfect sense that the English banned the tartan after Culloden....a guy wearing a kilt is a rebel and potentially dangerous.

A day kilted can be a life changing experience.

I trought about putting this on a card a handing it to people that ask why a kilt?
Feel free to add your thoughts to this

[Sherry]

Robin is a thoughtful person.

[Robin]

Geeh....uhh...thanks...I see myself as just slightly odd.

Happy though

[way2fractious]

I see myself as just slightly odd.

Aren't we all? I have gone over with my wife all but one of the reasons you advanced for wearing a kilt, and maybe a couple other reasons as well. The one I never owned up to was that I wear my homemade kilts as a sign of personal rebellion from the mass of expectations piled upon me by her, by family, and every other social structure defining my culture. It's my one bit of uniqueness that keeps me from sinking into and drowning in the sea of conformity. Though unstated, I'm sure she comprehends it.

Plus, they're really, really comfortable!

[Retro Red]

Yeah, I get asked this fairly often, too, but my view is you'd put most folks off with too involved or long of an answer, & personally, I think handing them a card might be a bit much.

I've worked my answer down to something short, sweet & to the point - "Comfort, freedom & individuality." - which I find makes for an easily digestible sound bite & I think covers the major points you listed. If the questioner exhibits interest beyond that, I might mention heritage, plus the health & well-being of the family jewels, but most of the time that would be considered TMI.
.

[Mike1]

-- but also raised Highland regiments like the Black Watch for service on foreign shores --

Mind if I amend this just a bit?

The Black Watch was originally raised for the purpose of watching over and enforcing the disarming of their own countrymen, within their own country. They were, for all intents and purposes, the long arm of English law in Scotland.

They were actually formed with the understanding that they were to be used for the express purpose of policing Scotland and that they would never be required to leave Scotland to fight for the English. Of course that was not true and the Black Watch fought its first real engagement at the Battle of Fontenoy, in Flanders, under the Butcher Cumberland.

While the Black Watch has distinguished itself well in military engagements all over the world, there are those that remember well the initial duties of Am Freiceadan Dubh was to impose English law on their fellow Scots.

[macwilkin]

Mind if I amend this just a bit?

The Black Watch was originally raised for the purpose of watching over and enforcing the disarming of their own countrymen, within their own country. They were, for all intents and purposes, the long arm of English law in Scotland.

They were actually formed with the understanding that they were to be used for the express purpose of policing Scotland and that they would never be required to leave Scotland to fight for the English. Of course that was not true and the Black Watch fought its first real engagement at the Battle of Fontenoy, in Flanders, under the Butcher Cumberland.

While the Black Watch has distinguished itself well in military engagements all over the world, there are those that remember well the initial duties of Am Freiceadan Dubh was to impose English law on their fellow Scots.

Quite true, Mike. I'm glad you pointed that out. My point was, however, that not all who wore kilts were rebels. Not trying to say who was right and who was wrong, just that the statement that wearing a kilt somehow makes one a "rebel" isn't always the case.

Cheers,

Todd

[Blu (Ontario)]

...... While the Black Watch has distinguished itself well in military engagements all over the world, there are those that remember well the initial duties of Am Freiceadan Dubh was to impose English law on their fellow Scots.

I won't wear Black Watch becuase it has such baggage attached to it. Nonetheless, it is a striking tartan.

... I've worked my answer down to something short, sweet & to the point....

I also believe that concise, succinct, wording is best. I'll throw in "Masculine, independant, proud."

[macwilkin]

It makes perfect sense that the English banned the tartan after Culloden....a guy wearing a kilt is a rebel and potentially dangerous.

SNIP

I trought about putting this on a card a handing it to people that ask why a kilt?
Feel free to add your thoughts to this

Joe,

Personally, I would leave the reference to Culloden out. Why? Well, it's not really accurate. Remember that just as many Highlanders (Grants, Munros, Campbells, Mackays) etc. supported the government during the '45 Rebellion as those who supported the Jacobite cause. Yes, the English banned the kilt & tartan in the Highlands -- but also raised Highland regiments like the Black Watch for service on foreign shores -- and produced a long record of loyalty and service.

Not to mention the fact that it classifies all of the English as supporting the proscription -- there were a few English Jacobites as well, especially in the North.

But, that's just my thoughts...no one has to agree with them or even like them. And I want to just say that I'm not try to embarrass Robin or Joe here -- on the contrary. But like so many other things in history, the Jacobite Rebellions are from another "England v. Scotland" thing.

Regards,

Todd