Quote Originally Posted by OC Richard View Post
That's where I'm at. I wear Highland Dress when required, as a piper, but in addition I'll wear Highland Dress when attending Highland Games as a non-competitor.

In this respect I'm out of step with virtually all pipers who, when not competing or judging, wouldn't dream of appearing anywhere in Highland Dress.

When not competing at a Games I'll meet piping buddies and their first question, when seeing me in Highland Dress, is "competing?"

When I say "no" they give me an odd questioning glance. Why on earth would I be kilted then?



I was there almost at the very moment and place of birth.

Utilikilts were invented in 2000 by a guy in Seattle. Shortly afterwards our piping community saw them for our first time, when Utilikilts set up a booth at one of our West Coast Highland Games.

The universal verdict from our piping community was intense dislike. Pipers may hate having to wear Highland Dress at Games, but they take pride in their kit, and turn up their noses at anything other than a traditional wool full-yardage kilt.

"A wrinkly skirt" was the most-heard comment from pipers.

To be fair to the inventor, he's been consistent in saying that Utilikilts are not Highland Dress, and he's refused numerous requests to make them in tartan.

(Soon the Utilikilt idea was copied by numerous firms who dubbed their copies "utility kilts".)

That's been my experience, precisely. I always go kilted (with traditional day wear) to Highland Games and other such piping competitions, whether I'm competing or not. After many piping prohibitive injuries and ensuing surgeries over the years, my piping peers have grown accustomed to seeing me thus clad.

I can't say I ever developed a taste for the utility kilt look or even the great kilt, much less the Renn-Faire schtick. In the midwest where Games often take place midst extremes of heat and humidity,I'll wear my linen/wool blend kilt jacket and waistcoat, and heavier tweeds for cooler climes.

When not at a Highland event, I just wear my black cassock.