Wednesday Aug. 1, 2012

**Cygnus** · 1st August 12, 07:47 AM

Originally Posted by Jock Scot

Its 1230Hrs on August 1st in the Highlands of Scotland and thus far, as far as I can see and hear, not a mention of the subject here. I can't say that I was expecting any comment.

And rightly so - it is a long-repealed act. My wearing of the kilt to work on Aug. 1 stemmed from when I first ordered a kilt. After it arrived, I mentioned it to a coworker and word spread from there. Eventually I had a number of people asking when I was going to wear it. Since I didn't have a specific reason to, I dragged my feet a bit, but when I realized the historical event associated with Aug. 1, I thought I would call that reason enough and give folks what they asked for.

It has now become a bit of a tradition and one of two days that I wear a kilt to the office every year (the other being April 6, National Tartan Day).

**Tobus** · 1st August 12, 09:31 AM

I can certainly understand why modern Scots would not choose to recognize this day. Jock Scot (or other native Scots), do you find that Highlanders take note of the date Proscription ended (July 1st)? Or do they ignore it as well?

Anyway, it just so happens that today is the day I received another new kilt. This one is a vintage MOD box-pleated (Seaforth Highlander) kilt. I had been wanting to try a high-rise military kilt for some time, and bought one from another member here, and it just happened to show up today. So even though I hadn't planned on doing anything special, or even putting on a kilt today, you can bet that will be the first thing I do when I get home.

**Jock Scot** · 1st August 12, 09:48 AM

Originally Posted by Tobus

I can certainly understand why modern Scots would not choose to recognize this day. Jock Scot (or other native Scots), do you find that Highlanders take note of the date Proscription ended (July 1st)? Or do they ignore it as well?

For me and my family, July 1st means the year of 1916(first day of the Battles of the Somme), possibly that would hold true for many in the Commonwealth too. However in my seven decades and a tad, I have not ever heard a Scot mention, or consider, July 1st as an anniversary of the repeal of the Act of Proscription as a date to remember. Only when I joined this website did I discover that this date has ever been made a fuss of in the tartan context.

**tundramanq** · 1st August 12, 10:22 AM

Thumbs up on the kilt Tobus. Found out one I ordered is arriving on my birthday.
Proscription was great for the New World as we gained a lot of proud, work working Scots that played a large part in molding our countrys constitutions and ensuring our liberties.

**MacSpadger** · 1st August 12, 10:54 AM

Originally Posted by Jock Scot

For me and my family, July 1st means the year of 1916(first day of the Battles of the Somme).

Ditto. Proscription is not considered, but there are events to mark the Somme.
However, my best friend teaches in Ballachulish but lives in Glencoe and he had a lot of piping and shouting going on outside his front door. I was not there, but the standard of piping was not very high, he described it as "terrible". He is a very able musician himself, so I don't doubt him. A group of large foreign men were right outside his cottage. They were apparently making speeches about Proscription ending and "honouring" the event. None of them were Scottish, he doesn't even think any of them were British. It was quite alarming for the locals to have a group of large men waving flags of other countries and making noise right outside their cottages, especially when they didn't know what they were doing there, what they were talking about or why they were there. Are any of our USA or Canadian members present in this pic Jim took on his phone??

**Mael Coluim** · 1st August 12, 11:11 AM

Nope. Too many white hose for any to be from this Forum.

**tundramanq** · 1st August 12, 11:29 AM

I'll bet they were as surprised as you were. Thought they were coming over for a celebration just to find out it is a non event there. I believe they didn't quite think it all the way through....

**Jock Scot** · 1st August 12, 11:38 AM

Originally Posted by tundramanq

I'll bet they were as surprised as you were. Thought they were coming over for a celebration just to find out it is a non event there. I believe they didn't quite think it all the way through....

Well, there does appear to be a certain amount of disarray in the ranks and the nonplussed expressions do seem to lend some weight to your observation.

**Cygnus** · 1st August 12, 12:01 PM

Oh dear. I can see how some people might think far more of the day than they should - when asked by coworkers if it is a Scottish holiday, I am always sure to answer "no" just so nobody gets the wrong idea about how things are done on your side of the Atlantic. I do explain the historical significance of the day, but also mention that it's like so many days in US history which go by with little or no celebration or commemoration.

It's just me being a bit eccentric!

But this time around I have had a number of men (4) in the office ask about where/how they can get kilts of their own, so not a bad day at all!

**MacSpadger** · 1st August 12, 12:21 PM

Originally Posted by Jock Scot

Well, there does appear to be a certain amount of disarray in the ranks and the nonplussed expressions do seem to lend some weight to your observation.

There was a bit of a "telling off" going on at the time, (buggeraffbacktae'whereverye'came fae'), which may partially explain this.