Hello from Wisconsin

[Garry Oak]

I've just joined after a few days of reading kilt- and tartan-related material on the Net, including a wealth of information posted in various places by XMTS member M.A.C. Newsome. First things first: thanks!

My user name refers to my having first encountered lots of tartans and occasional kilts as a boy in Victoria, B.C. The neckerchiefs of our Scout troop (the 6th Garry Oak) were of Dress Campbell, which I've recently read is not claimed as a clan tartan by the Chief of the Campbells. I'm not a Campbell, so I'm pleased to learn that wearing it would not be seen as treading on anyone's toes.

My personal notions are as follows.

1. I'd enjoy starting to wear kilts, though I don't own any yet. I understand that they are a national dress, not a costume. I'd wear them as an American who respects the style, not as an actor pretending to be from Scotland.

2. In which tartan? As I see it now, the Dress Campbell would seem right to me.

3. By contrast, a tartan such as the Black Watch, for example (a "real" Campbell tartan, unlike my Scout neckerchief) was worn by a distinguished military regiment for a long time.

4. Even though I've read repeatedly that it's acceptable for anyone in the general public to wear the Black Watch tartan, I am not a military veteran and don't want to be mistaken for a poseur.

5. I'd prefer to wear something with a personal connection. Besides the Dress Campbell, others such as the British Columbia or City of Victoria tartans would feel comfortable to me because, although I am a U.S. citizen, I very much enjoyed living in Greater Victoria (Gordon Head in Saanich, actually) and have some very dear friends there. It was my home during an important part of my youth.

There's also the "Firefighters' Memorial" tartan from USA Kilts that I'd proudly wear; I was a volunteer firefighter for six years (certified FF-II). The new "X Marks The Scot" tartan looks marvelous, and the dandelion badge brings a smile to my face.

All of this started for me with simply looking for tartan ties on the Net; now I'm a new member at XMTS. I'm noticing a list of "Hey, wouldn't it be nice to have..." tartans developing in my head. I suppose that that's not an uncommon occurrence around here.

I'd be pleased to hear any thoughts or advice that members might have about what I've written here (for example, I've already noticed that many members are not big fans of tartan ties). I don't mean this as a cry for help; I'm writing not to demand or request that someone "please tell me what to do," but simply to mention what I believe that I've seen thus far. If I'm too far wrong, I'd be pleased if you'd let me know.

Thanks, everybody, for making so much of your knowledge available to anyone who happens to wander by and stay to read. This forum is a remarkable resource.