The Scots Who Left

[Peter Crowe]

Gael Ridire.

I respect your candor,the thoughtfullness in which you approach this discussion.

You say that by wearing the kilt,other folk of gaelic/celtic backgrounds or sympathies can express a sort of solidarity of ethnicity.A good notion,but does one of the foremost symbols of one particular celtic nation have to be slowley claimed by others,and by degrees,attempts made to write new 'pages of history' where other cultures grow in,around and over the kilt untill some will not know whether it is Scottish,Irish,Welsh ,Cornish or any other?

There are many striking and beautiful ways to celebrate what was once a vast empire where the celts reigned surpreme.The flowing,interlacing knotwork art,music that incorporates instruments such as the pipes(not only the great highland bagpipe)fiddle and drum,sports that have ancient lineages that are celtic(hurly,shinty,gaelic football,various tests of strength),Celtic inspired jewelry.Wear and enjoy the kilt but I urge to show respect and give recognition where it is due.The tartan kilt was developed and made into what it is today by Scots in Scotland,not by the Irish,Welsh,Cornish or any other.
If one who is not Scottish or who has mixed background wears it,why should they not be satisfied to say,
"I may not be Scottish,but I love their kilt."
To me it seems a way to possibly 'wear out the welcome' by presumptiously starting to come out with claims by other countries that "it's becoming our kilt too.A new history is being written ,by us ,for the kilt"
There are so many celtic things to share in and celebrate,to teach young ones about,without needing to smudge any of the bright colours together,by not differentiating the unique customs and characteristics of one part of the celtic world from another.The old cultures deserve more than that.

I agree with AN COIGREACH ALBANNACH about acknowledging the Scottish Highland origins of the kilt. I would never deny the Irish, Manx, Welsh, Cornish, Breton or anyone else the right to wear it and enjoy it (not that I would ever claim I have any such right - but you take my point). There is a feeling of fellowship between people of the Celtic nations, but each of these cultures (while having many features in common) has it's own unique characteristics. I am all for making cultural re-connections (and even some degree of cross-pollination) in our post-modern world, but please just have the respect to give credit where it's properly due. The vast majority of Scots who think about such matters acknowledge the Irish (Scotti) roots of Dalriada and consequently our very name.