Two Telling comments? The Answer Perhaps?

[Jock Scot]

That does not surprise me one bit Steve. I think that the "modern" thinking on kilt matters is exactly as you describe in some parts of Scotland. I see just those sorts of styles almost exclusively at an annual graduation ceremony that I attend every year in a minor capacity. I wonder if you happen to know what part of Scotland they came from?


Added next day.

Note to self: Do not write posts when tired AND when the grand children are running riot!

[TenorClef]

Do native Scots on the whole see the kilt as dated I wonder? Last year whilst holidaying in Turkey I got a uber cool fez hat and wandered about quite happily wearing it with my family in tow around Marmaris....was I taken for a dumb tourist....oh for sure

[Lodrorigdzin]

Do native Scots on the whole see the kilt as dated I wonder? Last year whilst holidaying in Turkey I got a uber cool fez hat and wandered about quite happily wearing it with my family in tow around Marmaris....was I taken for a dumb tourist....oh for sure

not only that, the fez has certain historical connotations that are not too pleasant to a lot of people. it was banned by ataturk as a symbol of religious oppression.

http://www.historyhouse.com/in_history/fez_1/

and suddenly it dawned on me that the dutch parallel is wearing clogs! you see them all over in tourist areas, not too well made, but tourists buy them. i think they display them, and seldom wear them.

i own a pair, because sometimes i'm out in the forest for the woodcarving and they're great safety shoes. they're different from the tourist style though, "trippen" that are only made by an old guy up north, van der meulen from eenrum

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dUEEV1cKBdQ

I never wear my clogs as daily footwear, but I'll bring them along for work in the garden or in the forest. I'll change into them when it gets boggy.

for a while when I was at secondary school it was the rage to wear clogs into class. and do a psychedelic paint job on them.

the berkemann clogs are daily informal footwear in rural communities and around farms.

[The Wizard of BC]

Well Jock, to tell the truth I only know that two of the Gentlemen are from Glasgow three from the area, but not the city, of Edinburgh.
Three of the gentlemen had very thick accents and although they said where they were from I did not recognize that names. I suspect it was further north somewhere as they mentioned that they hire their outfits out of a local shop in Inverness.

[Jock Scot]

Well Jock, to tell the truth I only know that two of the Gentlemen are from Glasgow three from the area, but not the city, of Edinburgh.
Three of the gentlemen had very thick accents and although they said where they were from I did not recognize that names. I suspect it was further north somewhere as they mentioned that they hire their outfits out of a local shop in Inverness.

Why is it I am not surprised? I could almost have bet my fishing rod on your answer! It was a dead cert!

Three words were the dead give away. "Glasgow", "Edinburgh" and "Hire".

[Macman]

In each case, and that is by 8 resident Scots, I was told, very strongly, that White Hose with Ghillie Brogues, Prince Charlie with vest and Dirk Belt, Ruche Tie, and White Rabbit dress sporrans were the preferred manner of dress in Scotland for all events, even a beach wedding as these were.

I spent the last two weeks in Scotland. I saw kilts worn at convocation at University of Stirling and at three weddings in Nairn. All were during the day and all were pretty much dressed as described above (the main exceptions being black bow ties instead of ruche ties and black shoes instead of gillie brogues in some cases).

[Ron Abbott]

I think Creagdhubh has a very unique perspective being both an American and so closely involved with his family and clan in Scotland which is often very helpful to guys like me.

Slàinte!

Now there's another thing that to a Scot nowadays is just completely bizarre.....

"so closely involved with his family and clan in Scotland"

What on earth is that all about?
Clan?

Born, brought up in Scotland, heavily involved in the piping scene for years and used to drink in the well known Edinburgh folkie/gaelic haunts and yet I have never, ever come across a single person who wa ,'closely involved with his clan', other than the son of certain aristocrat who had no choice but to 'play at clans'.

Coming over to Scotland to see and meet your clan will certainly mark you out as a tourist.....big time!
It's the sort of thing that really does bring a smirk to the face.

"Aye, I'll have to ask MY CLAN chief whether I should grab my trusty basket hilted sword, mount Morag the garron and go out and reive some highlan' coos, today or....then again..... maybe I'll just get go into the office after Starbucks!"

[Manxstralian]

Now there's another thing that to a Scot nowadays is just completely bizarre.....

"so closely involved with his family and clan in Scotland"

What on earth is that all about?
Clan?

Born, brought up in Scotland, heavily involved in the piping scene for years and used to drink in the well known Edinburgh folkie/gaelic haunts and yet I have never, ever come across a single person who wa ,'closely involved with his clan', other than the son of certain aristocrat who had no choice but to 'play at clans'.

Coming over to Scotland to see and meet your clan will certainly mark you out as a tourist.....big time!
It's the sort of thing that really does bring a smirk to the face.

"Aye, I'll have to ask MY CLAN chief whether I should grab my trusty basket hilted sword, mount Morag the garron and go out and reive some highlan' coos, today or....then again..... maybe I'll just get go into the office after Starbucks!"

Not sure quite how to start this, but.... Are you suggesting that "Clans" have no relevance in Scotland, even as a cultural construct? And subsequent to that, only tourists are truly interested in their clan?

Furthering that line of thought, are you suggesting that Clan Chiefs and Societies (or Organisations, or whatever they happen to be called) only perform Clan Gatherings etc to gull ignorant tourists?

I met a lot of Scots (from Scotland) at a clan gathering (all of whom seemed genuinely excited to meet other "clansmen" (the chief's word, not mine), and to celebrate their common heritage), and since Clan MacPherson (simply used as an example) has one every year, it seems like a great deal of effort to generate what would be not a lot of income for the association, or the chief.

When I attended the MacLean gathering, I know we spent a hell of a lot more on accommodation and food (and beer) than we did on "Clan" events. Unless the Chief is in league with all of the B&B's, Pubs, and Motels and getting a kick-back, this seems to be an absurd proposition.

Granted, some clans may be more structured, or more "active" than others, but that doesn't mean that the sentiment doesn't hold true for some.

Cheers,

Cameron

[Ron Abbott]

There are always a few that will be interested.

The 'clan chiefs' and their families have good reason to try and maintain such links.....there's always a need to obtain funding for repairing castle roofs etc. and to ensure continuity in maintaining some sort of title for their offspring!

You just have to see some of them dressed up in their finest brigadoonery. The Range Rover with silver horse bonnet badge pulling up the Games, the brigade of guards regimental ties, the tartan car blanket over the shoulder, the feathers in the balmoral, the cromachs (do they try and outdo each other with a bigger one?) etc. etc..

Then there are the eccentrics.....you get that anywhere.

And of course there are those that enjoy the company of others and it's their hobby or special interest. This happens to be their thing. I have no animosity whatsoever to this group of people. They could equally be hill walkers, classic car enthusiasts, local archaeologists/historians, anglers, members of the local golf club or whatever, it just happens to be their interest.

The Clan MacPherson has long been one of those that has run a solid organisation, it is well known for that. Their balls etc. were long part of Scotland's society functions and in the past few decades perhaps best highlighted by the efforts of Dame Flora, the Clan MacLeod has also been organising events. There are a fair few minutes of old meetings of the Clan MacPherson on the internet and they make interesting reading.

But for the vast majority of Scots, these clan societies etc. are totally irrelevant.

[Domehead]

Mr. Abbott,

Your MO seems to conflate a highly subjective opinion with Longitudinal Sociological Analytics. Then, when confronted with contrarian experiences or evidence, either regress or succumb to the psychological phenomena "preconception". Through your contributions, I'm not quite sure what your intention is?

Ryan M Liddell