In another thread I was accused of playing devil's advocate!

Fair enough I've been called much worse.

Rather it is because I'm approaching things from a rather different perspective-not of necessity the right perspective-but mine.

First I'm here because I do think that the adoption by men of the kilt is a sensible move, offering a variety of benefits.

However as I'm now nearly seventy and have been wearing the kilt since childhood-and further having been brought up to think of myself as wearing the kilt as a clansman: I will not of necessity see things through the same eyes as someone who for their own entirely laudable reasons has come to the kilt in later life.

Thus it never occurs to me that going to the shops-a social event - coffee or whatever is some sort of adventure: if I feel like wearing the kilt that day I will.

However I will read on this board stuff be it from experts or laypeople alike: which can cut across what I've been taught since infancy or have heard said by fellow clansfolk-or what I know are the attitudes of highland kiltwearers.

It is the same with the military-my own experience at times cuts across what is being said on this board.

Now I can either behave and keep quiet, or offer what at times will be a contrary view. Here I do think it important to offer that contrary view: not to be offensive or recruit myself to some sort of tartan vigilante organisation. Rather to show that there a variety of views, and that on occasion those views will differ from the received wisdom of some contributors to this board.

The aim being to contribute to a positive debate-rather than abstain from a partial debate.

James