Food For Thought Two(F4T2)

[Jock Scot]

Well here we go again! Baring in mind some of the comments from the previous thread on this subject , let me make it very clear that no one is telling anyone how to wear the kilt, this survey is not to be regarded as a true survey of the whole of the kilt wearing population of Scotland. It plainly is not. It is nevertheless, a survey of kilt wearing volunteers who took the time to answer thirty questions, not of their choosing, for the benefit of the members of this website. In the process they have had some fun, they may even have learnt something, but most of all they have provided some food for thought for us all at Xmarks the Scot. I thank them all.

ENQUIRING MINDS WOULD LIKE TO KNOW.

1. Have you ever worn another, apart from a band, school, or military, tartan other than your own?(tick 1)
Yes: 9
No: 101

2. Have you seriously considered doing so?(tick 1)
Yes:14
No: 96

3. Have you ever heard of a civilian box pleated kilt?(tick 1)
Yes: 0
No: 110

4. When was the last time you bought a new kilt?(tick 1)
Within the last 2 years:40
Within the last 10 years:46
Over 10 years ago:10
Never:14

5. Under what circumstance would you consider a new kilt?(tick 1)
I can't think of one: 0
When I grow out(wear out)this one: 101
When the mood takes me:9

6. Are you a Scot?(tick 1)
Yes: 100
No: 10

7. When do you wear the kilt?(tick 1)
Mainly during the day for smart and casual events: 12
Mainly for weddings: 18 (NOTE for Xmarks members. Most, if not all wedding services in the UK take place during the day)
Mainly for evening dress occasions: 30
About even amounts: 50

8. How often do you wear the kilt?(tick 1)
Up to 5 times a year: 9
Up to 10 times a year: 0
More than 20: 12
More than 50: 51
100 times plus: 38

9. Where would you normally wear the civilian kilt?(tick 1)
Solely in the Highlands: 42
Solely in Scotland: 51
In the UK: 17

10. Would you ever wear the civilian kilt outwith the UK?(tick 1)
Yes, in exceptional circumstances: 30
Never: 80

11. How many kilt jackets do you own?(tick1)
None: 10
One: 16
Two: 63
Three: 17
More: 4

12. How many sporrans do you own?(tick1)
One: 16
Two or more: 84
None: 10

13. At what height do you wear the kilt?(tick 1)
About an inch above the knee cap: 31
About level with the top of the knee cap: 70
About level with the centre of the knee cap: 9
Lower: 0

14. Do you discreetly take notice how others wear the kilt?(tick1)
Yes: 110
No: 0

15.Do you mind who wears the kilt?(tick 1)
Highlanders only: 42
Scots only: 59
Anyone: 9

16.Would you ever consider wearing a non wool kilt?(tick 1)
Yes: 0
No: 110

17. Do you know what a district tartan is?(tick 1)
Yes: 11
No: 99

18. Would you wear one?(tick 1)
Yes: 0
No: 110

19. Apart from your own tartan, how many would you easily recognise?(tick1)
Up to 5: 72
Up to 10: 29
More: 9

20. Would you wear white/off white kilt hose with a civilian kilt?(tick 1)
Yes: 11
No: 99

21. How is the kilt that you are wearing pleated?(tick 1)
To the sett: 17
To the stripe: 9
Don't know: 84

22. Is it your impression that more kilts are worn today than say 50 years ago?(tick 1)
Yes: 73
No: 0
Don't know: 37

23. Have you ever been asked what you wear under the kilt? (tick 1)
Yes: 76
No: 34
(Note: added to the list after the event by JS----We have now!: 27!!!!!)

24. What kind of head wear would you consider appropriate, to be worn with the civilian kilt?(tick many)
Balmoral: 110
Glengarry: 110
Dear stalker/fore and aft: 105
Flat tweed cap: 0
Base ball cap: 0
Panama: 96
Other: 0

25. What kilt jacket would you wear to a formal wedding? (tick 1)(NOTE for xmarks members; Morning suit equivalent in the UK)
Tweed argyll: 0
Prince Charlie: 0
Black barathea, silver buttoned argyll: 100
Other: 2
Don't know: 8

26. What kilt jacket would you wear to a non formal wedding?(tick 1)
PC: 0
Black barathea, silver buttoned argyll: 0
Black or grey tweed argyll: 11
Tweed argyll,other than black or grey: 99
Don't know: 0

27. What would you consider to be the most versitile Kilt Jacket?(tick 1)
PC: 0
Black barathea silver buttoned Argyll: 0
Black or grey tweed argyll: 0
Tweed argyll other than black or grey: 110
Other: 0

28. Would you ever consider wearing a non kilt jacket(not over coat or suit/sports jacket) with the kilt?(tick 1)
Yes: 0
No: 110
Don't know:0

29: Is the kilt that you are wearing this evening (tick 1)
Yours: 100
Borrowed: 2
Hired: 8

30. What age are you?(tick 1)
Between 10 & 20: 5
Between 21 & 30: 31
Between 31 & 40: 47
Between 41 & 50: 21
More: 6


THE END and THANK YOU.

[davidg]

A very interesting survey thanks Jock

In a future survey I would be most interested in finding out what the same people think defines a Scot or a Highlander. These days with so much freedom of movement it becomes difficult to define in a meaningful way

For example, if someone born in Scotland of a Scottish family moves to England at a young age do they remain a Scot? If so, how does that apply should they move to the States instead? And how is that affected down the generations. In reverse, how is the person regarded who was born in England of an English family but moves to Scotland at an early age?

I know what I believe but what do others think?

[Lime]

Jock thank you very much for taking the time to do this and to everyone who took the time out to complete the survey. It is very interesting.

A very interesting survey thanks Jock

In a future survey I would be most interested in finding out what the same people think defines a Scot or a Highlander. These days with so much freedom of movement it becomes difficult to define in a meaningful way

For example, if someone born in Scotland of a Scottish family moves to England at a young age do they remain a Scot? If so, how does that apply should they move to the States instead? And how is that affected down the generations. In reverse, how is the person regarded who was born in England of an English family but moves to Scotland at an early age?

I know what I believe but what do others think?

I do not think that there is any perfect answer but I think the legal rules on domicile are interesting: i.e. that your domicile of origin is that of your father's on your birth (or mother's if your parents were not married). This governs until another domicile of choice (or of dependency while a minor) is obtained but reverts back to the domicile of origin if a domicile of choice is subsequently abandoned without another being simultaneosuly acquired.

A person is generally domiciled in the country in which he has a physical presence, coupled with an intention to remain permanently for the rest of one's days. It is generally considered as the county in which one lives and "intends to die".

Please don't ask me any complicated questions on the laws of domicile!

[davidg]

A person is generally domiciled in the country in which he has a physical presence, coupled with an intention to remain permanently for the rest of one's days. It is generally considered as the county in which one lives and "intends to die".

True, but the relationship between England and Scotland is very complicated and of the same nature as the relationship between US States

An Englishman has British nationality, as does a Scotsman. They both live in the United Kingdom. So domicile becomes less important in the equation. Or does it?

When you live in a place for a long time you start to think like the locals. I can think of numerous examples of English people who have lived in Scotland so long their country of birth is a distant memory and they identify as Scottish. And vice versa with Scots living in England. I'd love to know what the highland perceptions are of this issue

[robthehiker]

Fascinating! Thanks for sharing!

[creagdhubh]

A very interesting survey thanks Jock

In a future survey I would be most interested in finding out what the same people think defines a Scot or a Highlander. These days with so much freedom of movement it becomes difficult to define in a meaningful way

For example, if someone born in Scotland of a Scottish family moves to England at a young age do they remain a Scot? If so, how does that apply should they move to the States instead? And how is that affected down the generations. In reverse, how is the person regarded who was born in England of an English family but moves to Scotland at an early age?

I know what I believe but what do others think?

I think their are definitive surnames that are indeed Highland in origin.

Very interesting thread, Jock, thank you for sharing the information.

Kind regards,

[John McQuillen]

A very interesting survey thanks Jock

In a future survey I would be most interested in finding out what the same people think defines a Scot or a Highlander. These days with so much freedom of movement it becomes difficult to define in a meaningful way

For example, if someone born in Scotland of a Scottish family moves to England at a young age do they remain a Scot? If so, how does that apply should they move to the States instead? And how is that affected down the generations. In reverse, how is the person regarded who was born in England of an English family but moves to Scotland at an early age?

I know what I believe but what do others think?

Jock's post and your question raises some interesting points. As a psychologist I'd suggest that identity depends on the individual and their point of view but belonging to a culture or community also requires acceptance by said community. I'd be interested to see a broader survey....

For my part, I live in Australia and have only recently set up my own set of highland dress, because in more recent years I joined my local clan association and eventually decided to wear the appropriate attire - now I get asked to wear it to friend's weddings and formal events.

I have scots (and irish) heritage on both sides of the family and many family members have worn tartan all their lives, are they going to stop wearing it cause they moved country - no. Ultimately for me tartan is about family, I think of family especially those no longer with us when I put on my kilt, its a part of who I am and it kind of found me regardless of where I lived through family influence. I still have family in the highlands and lowlands of scotland, they are encouraging me to wear it and even have offered to go shopping for me locally when needed.

Having said all that, I only wear it for certain occasions such as clan association events, formal events, weddings etc....

Whats the old saying? home is where the heart is......

As a funny aside, at the one wedding (out of 7 in 2011.....) I decided not to wear a kilt, as I knew I'd be the only person in a kilt and didn't wish to offend, I actually ended up disappointing the bride who was looking forward to a hug with her kilted friend...... you can't please everyone!

[Jock Scot]

Jock's post and your question raises some interesting points. As a psychologist I'd suggest that identity depends on the individual and their point of view but belonging to a culture or community also requires acceptance by said community. I'd be interested to see a broader survey....

A broader survey? Count me out!

[RockyR]

Jock,

Thank you for compiling the survey, taking the time to have friends and family complete it and for posting it back up here. VERY interesting indeed. You may have a future in the "survey business".

Great insight into the "Scots mindset" about kilts and related things.

[artificer]

Very interesting, Jock. Thank you for taking the time to do this.

I'd be interested to hear some of the side conversations taking place as your guests were filling out the survey on the whys and whats of our forum and it's interest in your guests.

ith: