I grew my beard a very long time before I started wearing a kilt -- or was even aware of my Scottish ancestry.

The beard was an attempt on my part (suggested by my wife) to appear older and more authoritative since I'd just been promoted to a managerial position over people older than me.

Funny note is, it grew in rather patchy at first so we used my wife's mascara to darken and fill in until it came into it's own. Of course, it's all mostly white now .

Rob.