I'm amazed at you people

[Brother Falldown]

Or. The person owning two kilts going to the same amount of events as when the owner had only one kilt, he might will only wear the indidual kilt for half the times. Or, the two kilts could now last twice as long. Now what about Hamish with 100 kilts? -------------------------

Ah yes, poor Hamish... will probably live forever!

[Kilted Cole]

I said it before, much earlier in this thread, folks: Let's avoid "us" and "you" and "them" discussions. If we can't all be "us," then it's time to pack it in.

My appologies Father Bill... I meant the "what do you mean you people" as a humorous intro into a serious paragraph. I should have made it more clearly discernable. I will admitt that the rest of my post did not lend credence to humor on the intro.

[Father Bill]

Thanks Cole!

My appologies Father Bill... I meant the "what do you mean you people" as a humorous intro into a serious paragraph. I should have made it more clearly discernable. I will admitt that the rest of my post did not lend credence to humor on the intro.

[Pipersson]

Wearing a kilt is to me in the first place having a comfortable and interesting garment I like.
Then it can be the expression of my interest and admiration for a part of european culture that is not mine but which I would like to participate in as I like Bach's music or italian renaissance art.
And by the way...I know scots regarding themselves as completely traditional who never - how ignorant ;-) - wear a kilt.....

:-)

[Jock Scot]

And by the way...I know scots regarding themselves as completely traditional who never - how ignorant ;-) - wear a kilt.....

:-)

Steady on there, this won't do! Just so you know, for lowland Scots it is very traditional not to wear the kilt. If they are wearing tartan then it is traditional for them to wear tartan trews. Things are changing and the kilt is now more common(relatively speaking) in the lowlands. But for many Scots ----the majority in fact ,the kilt has never been a traditional garment.

[Lyle1]

Mental hygiene? Uh oh... did I accuse someone of having a dirty mind?

But I am still curious what drives people to acquire what would be considered by any reasonable standard an incredibly large number of one type of garment. Is it a statement of self-identity? Is it obsession? Trust me, I do understand the ease with which one can fall into obsession. I've done it before. And it's always good for people to ask themselves whether their hobbies or interests have crossed that line. If it seems to the casual observer that it borders on obsession, perhaps it's worth some introspection, wouldn't you think?

You make some good points, but...

I have two kilts, and I can see adding one or two more, but more than that would be going overboard for me. I will, however, confess to owning an inordinate and perhaps obsessive number of neckties, for which I make no justification and offer no apology! Being retired, I fewer occasions to wear my four-in-hand ties, but I do find myself buying more bow ties (self tie, naturally), mostly for formal occasions.

It is easier to become a bit obsessive about things that you like, or that mean something to you, than it is to understand why someone else can have an obsession for something that you don't care about.

[Phil]

It is easier to become a bit obsessive about things that you like, or that mean something to you, than it is to understand why someone else can have an obsession for something that you don't care about.

Perhaps this is closer to the sentiment of the OP without trying to put words in his mouth. Most of us will be aware of how some hobby or other can turn into an obsession - the angler who has a room full of rods he never uses, the photographer with a cupboard full of cameras gathering dust - that kind of thing. And they will then discuss these items ad infinitum to anyone prepared to listen and, worse still, bore the pants off those who really aren't interested! Anyone here had to listen to a golfer's latest round?
Perhaps 'trivialisation' was not the best description of this phenomenon but to someone who regards the object of affection as just an everyday item such obsession can seem strange.

[Pipersson]

But for many Scots ----the majority in fact ,the kilt has never been a traditional garment.

As for most germans - I dare say even most bavarians - Lederhosen are not a traditional garment too....:-)

[Phil]

Things are changing and the kilt is now more common(relatively speaking) in the lowlands. But for many Scots ----the majority in fact ,the kilt has never been a traditional garment.

You are so right, Jock. In my travels through Scotland I have rarely seen kilts worn apart from the occasional tourist trap. They mostly seem to be worn in the 'lowlands' for the benefit of the tourist trade apart from weddings and other social occasions and I would imagine it is the same both in the highlands and lowlands. Your other thread about Balmoral pipers doesn't include the remainder of the estate staff, none of whom wear kilts (unless they buy one themselves) which is a shame as I am sure most visitors expect to see kilts there.
I do believe that Margaret Thatcher did more for kilt-wearing here in Scotland than anyone else. It seems to have been following her interference in Scotland that the fashion really took off, particularly amongst the younger folks. Edinburgh on rugby match days is a kilt-fest to behold nowadays - even the Welsh people come kilted (or cilted - careful how you spell that one!).

[creagdhubh]

Steady on there, this won't do! Just so you know, for lowland Scots it is very traditional not to wear the kilt. If they are wearing tartan then it is traditional for them to wear tartan trews. Things are changing and the kilt is now more common(relatively speaking) in the lowlands. But for many Scots ----the majority in fact ,the kilt has never been a traditional garment.

***

Precisely, Jock. As we all know, the kilt and Highland dress in general, as long been associated with the people of the Scottish Highlands and not their Lowland counterparts. This is one of the reasons why when I am in Scotland, I seldom wear the kilt outwith the Highlands (I really see no reason to). There have been few occasions when I have worn Highland dress south of the Drumochter Pass. Once, whilst attending the Military Tattoo in Edinburgh, and I should mention that I was with fellow members of the Clan Macpherson who were also dressed in Highland attire. And secondly, in London for the Clan Macpherson - England and Wales Branch Highland ball and ceilidh.

Of course, if I were to be invited to additional events or social gatherings in the Lowlands, or elsewhere for that matter, where it would be acceptable and appropriate to wear the kilt (For example, at various events Scottish Highland in nature here in the USA where I live), then naturally I would. I simply choose not to wear Highland dress whilst strolling about the streets of Edinburgh, Glasgow, Linlithgow, etc, when there is really no purpose to do so. "To each is own," I suppose.

Drumochter Pass, heading north into the central Scottish Highlands.


Cheers,