An Open Question for 'Jock Scot' (and Scots)

[Tobus]

I would just like to say for the record that I appreciate Jock Scot's input. While they may be a trifle hard to swallow at times, his opinions and experiences are always honest and truthful.

It would be folly to pretend that all Scots are perfectly at ease with the rest of the world wearing their cultural dress. We may not always like to hear it, but he brings us a "reality check" sometimes which, to be quite frank, we desperately need. I have never heard him declare that we should not be allowed to wear the kilt however we like, or insinuate in any way that we are "wrong". He simply tells us the way that he and other Scots view the wearing of the kilt, both in Scotland and outwith Scotland.

As the old adage says, "don't shoot the messenger". Would you rather have no input from native Scots? Or only hear the opinions of Scots who say what we like? I, for one, think it would be a true loss if we were to reject the input of those who are immersed in Highland culture. It's an important viewpoint to consider, even if it ruffles our feathers on occasion.

And let us not forget that Jock Scot has been every bit the gentleman in providing advice and help in "getting it right" when it comes to wearing the kilt. He has innumerable posts on this forum with helpful tips and suggestions on how the kilt is worn in Scotland. If he were so adamant that no one but Highlanders wear the kilt, as some here have suggested, why would he continuously provide such valuable advice?

Personally, I think he has shown a tremendous amount of helpfulness to us all here by sharing his thoughts. Whether it's delving into such issues as how to avoid being "matchy-matchy", or "Jocking a bonnet", or what-have-you, I've always found his posts to be a delightful insight into traditional Highland thinking.

So even though it may occasionally ruffle our sensibilities to hear about some Scots' opinions on the wearing of the kilt outside the Highlands, I think it's always better to have the complete truth, and make our own decisions based on that.

Cheers Jock!

[Sir William]

To paraphrase George Bernard Shaw, Scotland and the United States are two cultures divided by a common heritage.

On the one hand, we have Americans who are proud of their Scottish heritage and celebrate it buy wearing kilts and as much tartan as they can muster at Americanized Highland Games, Burns Dinners, St Andrews Societies, Scottish Country Dancing and the like. There are also a few that mourn the lost Jacobite Cause though they know very little about it.

On the other hand, we have Scots who cannot understand why Americans want to celebrate something they left behind when they should be embracing their new cultural identity. Jock Scot, Phil and others have explained this far better than I can.

The Scots perceive the the United States has a distinct historical culture that can be embraced and celebrated, when in reality no such culture exists. As a nation of immigrants, most Americans have little or no link to the American British-European historical culture. Consequently, save for the 4th of July, Americans mostly celebrate their regional and ethnic (to include racial and religious) diversity. Throughout the country are many ethnic population centers: Scandinavian, Arab, Polish, Hispanic, Chinese, Vietnamese, etc. that only helps to reinforce our racial and ethnic diversity, rather than homogenize it.

In fact, race and ethnicity is an important component of the American identity. Almost every form we fill out asks for that information, and the recent 2010 national census was heavily focused on the increased growth rate of the Hispanic community. Many people in the US identify themselves with a hyphen: African-American, Asian-American, etc.

The American culture celebrates diversity and ethnic heritage, so it is both natural and expected that those with a Scottish heritage to embrace it, just as it is equally expected that those Americans with a Polish, Chinese, Peruvian, or Moroccan heritage to embrace theirs.

The irony is that for Jock's hypothetical grandson to celebrate his American culture, he would have to embrace his Scottish heritage.

[pascs]

comment deleted

[creagdhubh]

As a Scot I am happy to see people of other nations wearing the kilt, whether in a traditional tartan or in North American Utilikilt non-trad styles.
What does irritate me is people who play at being Scots and insist they know better than native Scots. I once spotted a guy at a highland games wearing a Cunningham tartan kilt and this being my family name I struck up a conversation with him. He turned out to be an American and was absolutely insistent that the tartan was Robertson and not Cunningham.

Ugh, that would frustrate me to no end, Alex!

[Johnny Selkie]

Ah this one always pops up.

In truth I know very little about it, but my impression is that it is a whole load of people playing at being Vikings in a place where Norse traditions hold sway over Celtic ones(this is the point) and in the process they are having a great time. Sounds fair enough to me.

For some reason I anticipated that you would give this answer.

[creagdhubh]

I would just like to say for the record that I appreciate Jock Scot's input. While they may be a trifle hard to swallow at times, his opinions and experiences are always honest and truthful.

It would be folly to pretend that all Scots are perfectly at ease with the rest of the world wearing their cultural dress. We may not always like to hear it, but he brings us a "reality check" sometimes which, to be quite frank, we desperately need. I have never heard him declare that we should not be allowed to wear the kilt however we like, or insinuate in any way that we are "wrong". He simply tells us the way that he and other Scots view the wearing of the kilt, both in Scotland and outwith Scotland.

As the old adage says, "don't shoot the messenger". Would you rather have no input from native Scots? Or only hear the opinions of Scots who say what we like? I, for one, think it would be a true loss if we were to reject the input of those who are immersed in Highland culture. It's an important viewpoint to consider, even if it ruffles our feathers on occasion.

And let us not forget that Jock Scot has been every bit the gentleman in providing advice and help in "getting it right" when it comes to wearing the kilt. He has innumerable posts on this forum with helpful tips and suggestions on how the kilt is worn in Scotland. If he were so adamant that no one but Highlanders wear the kilt, as some here have suggested, why would he continuously provide such valuable advice?

Personally, I think he has shown a tremendous amount of helpfulness to us all here by sharing his thoughts. Whether it's delving into such issues as how to avoid being "matchy-matchy", or "Jocking a bonnet", or what-have-you, I've always found his posts to be a delightful insight into traditional Highland thinking.

So even though it may occasionally ruffle our sensibilities to hear about some Scots' opinions on the wearing of the kilt outside the Highlands, I think it's always better to have the complete truth, and make our own decisions based on that.

Cheers Jock!

Well said, Tobus.

Slainte,

[creagdhubh]

To paraphrase George Bernard Shaw, Scotland and the United States are two cultures divided by a common heritage.

On the one hand, we have Americans who are proud of their Scottish heritage and celebrate it buy wearing kilts and as much tartan as they can muster at Americanized Highland Games, Burns Dinners, St Andrews Societies, Scottish Country Dancing and the like. There are also a few that mourn the lost Jacobite Cause though they know very little about it.

On the other hand, we have Scots who cannot understand why Americans want to celebrate something they left behind when they should be embracing their new cultural identity. Jock Scot, Phil and others have explained this far better than I can.

The Scots perceive the the United States has a distinct historical culture that can be embraced and celebrated, when in reality no such culture exists. As a nation of immigrants, most Americans have little or no link to the American British-European historical culture. Consequently, save for the 4th of July, Americans mostly celebrate their regional and ethnic (to include racial and religious) diversity. Throughout the country are many ethnic population centers: Scandinavian, Arab, Polish, Hispanic, Chinese, Vietnamese, etc. that only helps to reinforce our racial and ethnic diversity, rather than homogenize it.

In fact, race and ethnicity is an important component of the American identity. Almost every form we fill out asks for that information, and the recent 2010 national census was heavily focused on the increased growth rate of the Hispanic community. Many people in the US identify themselves with a hyphen: African-American, Asian-American, etc.

The American culture celebrates diversity and ethnic heritage, so it is both natural and expected that those with a Scottish heritage to embrace it, just as it is equally expected that those Americans with a Polish, Chinese, Peruvian, or Moroccan heritage to embrace theirs.

The irony is that for Jock's hypothetical grandson to celebrate his American culture, he would have to embrace his Scottish heritage.

Very good points here, well stated.

Cheers,

[Jock Scot]

Oh come on chaps, leave it out. I have obviously and unintentionally got under the fellow's skin and for that I am genuinely sorry. I do feel that his comments were a tad unfair, but hey ho, such is life. Now let us get back on topic, shall we.

[Guinness>water]

Tobus hit the nail on the head perfectly.

JockScot,
thank you so much for giving us your opinions/telling us your mind. I am always interested in what you have to say and hold your advice on Highland dress very high. I am suprised by your opinion concerning this thread but respect it as that, your opnion, and I am better for knowing it. I sincerly hope that I have not offended you or any other Scot by trying to understand yalls feelings on us Americans wearing your national dress.

Please dont let anyone discourage you from continuing to help folks like me out.

Thanks again

[O'Searcaigh]

To paraphrase George Bernard Shaw, Scotland and the United States are two cultures divided by a common heritage.

On the one hand, we have Americans who are proud of their Scottish heritage and celebrate it buy wearing kilts and as much tartan as they can muster at Americanized Highland Games, Burns Dinners, St Andrews Societies, Scottish Country Dancing and the like. There are also a few that mourn the lost Jacobite Cause though they know very little about it.

On the other hand, we have Scots who cannot understand why Americans want to celebrate something they left behind when they should be embracing their new cultural identity. Jock Scot, Phil and others have explained this far better than I can.

The Scots perceive the the United States has a distinct historical culture that can be embraced and celebrated, when in reality no such culture exists. As a nation of immigrants, most Americans have little or no link to the American British-European historical culture. Consequently, save for the 4th of July, Americans mostly celebrate their regional and ethnic (to include racial and religious) diversity. Throughout the country are many ethnic population centers: Scandinavian, Arab, Polish, Hispanic, Chinese, Vietnamese, etc. that only helps to reinforce our racial and ethnic diversity, rather than homogenize it.

In fact, race and ethnicity is an important component of the American identity. Almost every form we fill out asks for that information, and the recent 2010 national census was heavily focused on the increased growth rate of the Hispanic community. Many people in the US identify themselves with a hyphen: African-American, Asian-American, etc.

The American culture celebrates diversity and ethnic heritage, so it is both natural and expected that those with a Scottish heritage to embrace it, just as it is equally expected that those Americans with a Polish, Chinese, Peruvian, or Moroccan heritage to embrace theirs.

The irony is that for Jock's hypothetical grandson to celebrate his American culture, he would have to embrace his Scottish heritage.

+2 Exactly correct and very well said.