Thicken your skin...develop a sense of humor...and just chill out.

**Llama** · 12th August 13, 03:50 AM

I really would like to understand the issue from a Scots point-of-view. I don't think the numbers enter into it, as this is a popularity contest and the majority shouldn't even matter.

But I also don't understand Phil's comment. We aren't trying to take anything away from you or ban you from doing anything - it's honestly the opposite. We are trying to honor your practices and spread their use. Is that still wrong? The only thing I can think of that makes sense is that you feel it's a watering-down, and thus by spreading and adapting to kilt-wearing we are actually taking it away from you because it is no longer just what it was.

And if that's how you feel, I understand. I also understand how Jock Scot says that he's able to cope with it because he's at least teaching people to do it up right. But is that the meat of it? Or are there other reasons?

I, of course, have a problem with being the water in the watered-down single malt analogy. If we can't be considered a single-malt brewed in a foreign distillery, maybe we can at least be a blended whisky - through education and the advice of Scots? I won't push the extended metaphor further ;)

This may have been covered before, of course. I haven't seen it in my short time here, though, and wouldn't know where to start searching. Maybe there should be a sticky on these sorts of feelings so we can avoid this sort of thing in the future?

**M. A. C. Newsome** · 12th August 13, 04:21 AM

"The Highland dress is essentially a 'free' dress -- that is to say, a man's taste and circumstances must alone be permitted to decide when and where and how he should wear it... I presume to dictate to no man what he shall eat or drink or wherewithal he shall be clothed."
-- The Hon. Stuart Ruaidri Erskine, The Kilt & How to Wear It, 1901.

**TheOfficialBren** · 12th August 13, 04:24 AM

Originally Posted by M. A. C. Newsome

"The Highland dress is essentially a 'free' dress -- that is to say, a man's taste and circumstances must alone be permitted to decide when and where and how he should wear it... I presume to dictate to no man what he shall eat or drink or wherewithal he shall be clothed."
-- The Hon. Stuart Ruaidri Erskine, The Kilt & How to Wear It, 1901.

**Phil** · 12th August 13, 04:56 AM

Originally Posted by Llama

But I also don't understand Phil's comment. We aren't trying to take anything away from you or ban you from doing anything - it's honestly the opposite. We are trying to honor your practices and spread their use. Is that still wrong? The only thing I can think of that makes sense is that you feel it's a watering-down, and thus by spreading and adapting to kilt-wearing we are actually taking it away from you because it is no longer just what it was.

I know a lot of water has flowed under the bridge since this whole thing started and I should make it perfectly clear that I, personally, have no objection, whatsoever, to anyone wishing to wear a kilt, especially if it is to honour the Scottish tradition.
The objectionable comment came in the form of one or two asides, perhaps maliciously throwing a cat among the pigeons or just from sheer ignorance. The point of my post is that identity is an almost sacred thing. Who doesn't want to know where they came from where their roots are? And for someone from a different nation with different customs and traditions to feel qualified to traduce those of another in a casual and unthinking way is not to be dismissed easily. Whatever the erudite research and supposed proof, these are deeply held beliefs which the unwary dismiss at their peril. Wherever they care to believe kilts and tartan originated are matters of little importance compared with the fact that they are universally recognised as immutable symbols of Scottish identity, both here in Scotland and elsewhere. Enough of our identity has been subsumed and lost from being part of a larger society who does not share our traditions, customs or values without others joining in.
As far as "thickening skin" etc according to the OP, well I think quite enough of that has occurred over the years. If that is the way to lose your identity then it is not for us, you may choose your own path.

**rondo** · 12th August 13, 08:52 AM

Originally Posted by Chas

Am I the only one who finds this post ironic. I think that the OP would be best advised take his own advice -

Thicken your skin...develop a sense of humor...and just chill out.

Chas...Pound sand.

**ctbuchanan** · 12th August 13, 09:16 AM

Am I the only one who wonders what all the fuss is about? This is, after all, just an internet forum. I will grant you that it tends to address two issues many of us hold dear: kilts and Scotland. But at the end of the day when you log off you can wear what you want, when you want and you can wear white hose with it if you want to. And as far as I know you can buy any kilt in any tartan you want if you have the money. I don't know of any kilt maker or tartan weaver that's requiring documentation on your 'right' to wear it. Read and take from the forum what you want and let the rest run off your back. As one t-shirt I saw recently stated "Stay Calm and Kilt On".