Kilts just for Scotsmen

[Omar Zaragoza]

I´m a practicioner of HEMA (Historical Eurpean Martial Arts) and Im registeres in a forum, where we discuss techniques and drills.

Today a girl uploaded a picture where some HEMA folks were using kilts (some people from the US, Canada, Netherland and México) and we received a comment from a person from Scotland I want to quote what he said

"Kilts should be worn by Scotsman honorably and not as a call to attention or a trend or something, kitls are very special garb that are ment to be worn right and should mean something to the wearer more than a call to attention"

Another person answer him as follows

"The kilt was banned in Scotland along with bagpipes and weaponry (which was as much a normal part of highland dress as tartan) as it was an integral part of the warrior class of the Scottish highlands. I think any HEMA group that practices Scottish fighting traditions should at very least experience wearing the kilt if not make it part of uniform"

And the last answer to that topic was another person saying

"If you are not a Scot, you're just wearing a skirt"

I wanted to ask to the experts (Xmarks-community) if these affirmations are correct, I want to know your opinion, because if the first statement is correct, I dont want to disrespect anyone at the forum being half Mexican half Spanish wearing a kilt.

[Scout]

I doubt if you'll find much agreement with those sentiments here.

I'd probably not bother responding (don't feed the troll) but if I did I would just say something along the lines that kilts are simply articles of clothing, hardly something that Scots have an exclusive right to wear. If I was in a more snarky mood I might ask if denim jeans were reserved for American Cowboys, etc.

Xmarks members cover the gamut of nationalities. Wear your kilt with pride.

[Big Mikey]

BOLLOCKS!!!! Wear the kilt with pride. Do you have to own a horse to wear cowboy boots? Do you have to be African to wear a dashiki? Do you have to be French to wear a beret? NNNOOOOOOOO!

[Omar Zaragoza]

Thats what I thougth guys, but I was surprised that the first comment was from a Scotsman.

Thanks for your quick response

[ThistleDown]

I'll wager there are quair folk in Mexico, too

[Dale Seago]

Thats what I thougth guys, but I was surprised that the first comment was from a Scotsman.

There are Scots who feel that way. And there are even Scots who take a more extreme view than that and feel that even most Scots have no "right" to wear a kilt and that only Highlanders of Gaelic heritage should do so.

There are probably a far higher number of Scots who feel that both views are bollocks. As well as a lot who have no opinion on the matter and simply don't care.

[Bill aka Mole]

While there are Scots who believe that only a true Highlander should be allowed to were the kilt, there are plenty of us who wear the kilt for comfort regardless of our heritage. True, most here are Scot by blood but there are also quite a few of us who are affiliated with teh kilt through family friends and/or a pursuit of going our own way. Kilt On!

[kiltbook]

When a Scotsman wears a kilt, the tartan is linked to their ancestry and parentage. That is why some get so offended when non-Scots don their Clan tartan. Just wear a universal tartan when you are around Scots and you should be fine.

I have Irish ancestry, no Scots blood, and I have always worn the kilt. If your ancestors were from Spain you may be a Celt. Galicia is one of the seven Celtic nations. It is my understanding that the kilt has always been worn in all seven of the Celtic nations (Scotland, Ireland, Wales, Cornwall, Isle of Mann, Brittany, and Galicia) to some degree. However, the other nations do not really have a history of using the kilt for weddings or as an alternative to the tuxedo. In non-Scots Celtic communities, the kilt is used as folk, ethnic dance, or festival clothing.

Kilt on!

To your health. Slainte'

[Nick the DSM]

It is my understanding that the kilt has always been worn in all seven of the Celtic nations (Scotland, Ireland, Wales, Cornwall, Isle of Mann, Brittany, and Galicia) to some degree.

Not to pick a fight, but I think that's not correct.


Actually, many think that kilts should only be worn by Scotsmen. They're out there and their is nothing you can do about it. Just wear it and know what you are wearing. If you like it, you like it. Why wear something you detest? That's why I got rid of all my polo shirts. Don't like 'em.

Carry on.

[Dale Seago]

It is my understanding that the kilt has always been worn in all seven of the Celtic nations (Scotland, Ireland, Wales, Cornwall, Isle of Mann, Brittany, and Galicia) to some degree.

Well, no, not perzackly. The kilt itself is -- originally -- a specifically Scottish thing, deriving from the "belted plaid" which was adapted from the even earlier Irish brat.

However, many have since adopted the kilt as an expression of a sort of "generic Celtitude".

And I applaud them for that!

Having said that, however, I also feel compelled to state that the only reason anyone really needs to justify wearing the kilt is that they freakin' LIKE it and think it's cool.