Pipes and Drums

[Daneel]

This Saturday past I went with my family to Bangor Co. Down to a Pipe and Drum Competition. The sounds of the different bands playing as the practiced was fantasic and so where the different kilts. I could have spent all day looking at them. I was as far as I could see the only kilted bystander. The best bit of the day was to go into the mens toilets and find it full of men in kilts. I know it sounds weird but it felt good to be part of that group of kilted men. For once nobody looked at me and thought who's the weirdo. As the family was with me they got restless after an hour so the pictures are record only not works of art. However I have posted a few shots of bands kilts etc.

[Graham]

Nothing weird about that Daneel, I know we all share the same comfortable feeling being among others in kilts.

Of course, a lot of people assume you are one of the musicians and sometimes even the musicians may wonder why you are kilted and not in a band.
This is why I and many of us are trying to dispel this notion that kilts are only for pipe band members.

Glad to see you doing your bit in Ireland!

[Blu (Ontario)]

I'm getting the impression that outside of Scotland, there are more highland games in North American than just about anywhere else. They go every weekend all summer in Ontario and most of the year in other areas. I've been to 4 already this summer and there are 3 more near us in the next month. They all seem to be well attended. I guess we're just lucky.

I am curious to know, Daneel, are you made to feel uncomfortable outside of organized events in your area? I understand there are parts of Wales, for instance, that aren't particularly friendly to kilted folk.

blu

[GMan]

Daneel,

You are such an inspiring gentlemen. I too have been kilted watching bands playing, so it was the band and me. It is such a great feeling to be around other kilted gents, and I do know how you feel by not being considered a weirdo with all those other kilts around.

I loved the pictures you posted, I could feel the drums beating and hear the pipes playing (of course it helps to have the pipes and drums playing on the CD player )

[Daneel]

Blu, I wear my kilt shopping, to church, on the bus, to the cinema in fact most places and I have never had a negative verbal reaction.However you know the look. That sideways flicker of the eyes, raised eyebrows, side to side shaking of the head. To be honest most people here are used to seeing kilts in bands. I think they think I am a lost bandsman and are not sure if I need help to get home.

[Graham]

Daneel, you are inspiring, I'm guessing that you are as much of a 'pioneer' in your area (even such a celtic nation) as I am in mine. So few are willing to consider the kilt as an everyday garment.

How many kilts do you have?
Are there others in your area who wear kilts (outside of bands)?
Do you have any kilt nights or outings?

[Daneel]

Graham, At present I have only 2 kilts but I still dream about a "Hill Walker" kilt from Hector Russell http://www.hector-russell.com/html/k...n/12_hill.html The problem as always is money. I payed £190.00 for my full kilt and HR want £275 for the Hill Walker and to be honest I am a bit wary of buying on the net incase I get the measurements wrong. Other social kilt wearers are few and far between. I only know of one my good friend Jim. Who is responsible for me wearing mine. Unfortunatly his wife is not keen on him wearing it socially so we don't get together for Kilt Nights. It would be fun to have a kilt night here but to be honest it will only happen if either the owner of all the kilts that have been sold become bravehearts and get them out of the cupboard and wear them or if the government ban trousers. Some chance of either. You must bear in mind that in NI men wearing shorts except on the beach or sports field was a rare event 10 years ago. Ulster men are shy about their legs and are not ones to show off, and wearing a kilt is definatly showing off.

[Brodi]

I also had several chances in the last few days to hear the local Legion Pipe bands (Br.33 New Liskeard, the one I recently joined, and Br.54 Haileybury). It's Haileybury's centennial this year, so there's this great hooplaw down there, with the Headmaster of Haileybury College(I think) in England, and Brian McFarlane, Leslie McFarlane(original author of the Hardy Boys)'s son, and Tom Cochrane to play a concert.

I just can't wait to be ready for parade march (I only started learning the pipes about 3 weeks ago ) cause the Legion provides a kilt, free of charge!!!!! That's right, a traditional, 16 oz. kilt, and all I ahve to do is learn the pipes, which is turning out to be a lot of fun.

[Graham]

Thanks Daneel, your post reveals a rare insight into Irish life. Strange how cultures differ. In Oz, shorts are almost a National Costume, but kilts are still foreign.

The fact that you have so little in the way of a support network makes your resolve even more special an your efforts that much greater! I tip my hat to you!

You obviously have an eye for well made kilts, but my practice of late has been to compromise of fine Scottish wools and go for cheaper but harder wearing materials like poly viscose so that I can afford more kilts and wear them more often.

It might be worth considering those kiltmakers here whose lives are dedicated to getting kilts on backsides in greater quantities and with quality too! (if you don't mind me saying so).

I do pray that the Irish people will rediscover their roots as pertaining to kilts. I confess to having a great love for Ireland and it's people, having been there now on two occasions.

God bless you Daneel as you spread the message of the joy of kilts with your community!