Not a kiltie at present

**Morris at Heathfield** · 24th May 08, 06:37 PM

Jerry: It's my understanding, from reading various threads in these forums, that Highland games are the best opportunity to purchase items from Clansman Knitwear.

I sure wouldn't purchase anything from them sight unseen. Thanks for the warning.

cessna152towser: Greetings from a descendant of Roxburghers! (Are they called that?)

Perhaps I should have used the longer official name for the country on which I did my country report: the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. That should include England, Scotland, Wales, and six of the nine counties of Ulster, and exclude any overseas colonies. I'm not sure who came up with the phrase "United Kingdom of ...", but it's been official since 1801, and was apparently used informally as early as 1707. A daft catch-all it may be, but a convenient one for me, seeing as how I have ancestors from all four of those lands, and no particular allegiance to any one of them. Even if I had wanted to, I'm not sure my teacher would have allowed me to do a report on just Scotland, England, or Wales any more than he would have allowed me to do a report on just Saxony or Württemberg. (And my report came before Braveheart and the Scottish Parliament.)

I think most people who know what a kilt is think of it as a peculiarly Scottish (if not Highland) garment. I'm not aware of any male national dress for England, Wales, or Northern Ireland, although the latter two seem to have gradually taken to the kilt in the past century. But, even if they all had their own distinctive national dress, I probably would have still opted for the kilt. I have come to the conclusion that my Scottish blood is not diluted; it just has competition.

Jack Daw: I've seen that tartan before, but I'm not too fond of browns. The symmetrical Buchanan tartan (with more green and red, and less yellow than the usual one) remains my favorite.

Cynthia: I'm a bit north and way east of downtown. The games are really close for me; downtown not so much. I noticed there had been a Fort Worth kilt night planned earlier in the month, but wasn't sure if it had actually happened. I'll be sure to look around here for that social group you mentioned.

Jock Scot: Thanks for the welcome!