Too Traditional?

[Jock Scot]

If anyone had just spent a lot of money on their dream kilt, many Scots save long and hard for their only kilt, would you wear it on the beach? Some Scots, probably a minority within a minority, are fortunate to have the luck of having a choice of traditional kilts that are inherited(remember the era of the "cheap knockabout kilt" is only a recent option here)or good fortune of some sort and it will be one of these that goes to the beach. There is a picture of the late Lord Lovat dressed in a perfect example of a kilt and jacket that would not in any way considered suitable for a more formal event! Many, who do not understand, would assume that he was mending the road!

I have happily taken my(now) one and only kilt to the beach for a modest outing and I have happily taken my one and only kilt on a modest stroll across the moor looking for a grouse to shoot at and I will happily wear my one and only kilt to a wedding too! Would I be happy if I damaged my one and ony kilt? No, but with care, brains, and a bit of luck all will be well. Also, I don't need the kilt for ultra formal events these days so one 20 year old kilt , for the monent , serves me well.

It seems that is very difficult for me and others to explain these perfectly acceptable and normal variations of kilt attire for the assorted events that they are worn at, to those that are trying to understand without the experiance to adjust their way of thinking and that is not a criticism, but, I venture to suggest, a reasonable observation. This beach scenario is a case in point, I think. For example, a much repaired, apron reversed, ill fitting(probably), patched with ill matched tartan cut out of another kilt(same tartan) is a perfectly normal state of affairs for informal use in Scotland and is THCD."Invercauld" as seen in a recent thread is wearing a much repaired jacket quite happily! You chaps have not the opportunity, yet, to tap into 40,50,60,100 year old kilts and attire that have seen better days(some absolute gems can appear too) like some of us over here can.