Two Telling comments? The Answer Perhaps?

[Jim Simmons]

The last several posts to this thread have been inspirational. Thanks to all that have contributed.

Amen Brother !!

[jhockin]

Totally agree with the last few posts, but one part of Nathan's comment ("Some even mock the traditional culture as backward.") especially struck me. Let us ( and Scots) not forget that many once considered all of Highland culture, not "just" the kilt, as "backwards" & "barbaric". One would hope that at this stage that more people would abandon such notions, that any culture is somehow less, and that those who choose to wear the kilt are not necessarily doing so to attract attention, but for a myriad of reasons, one often being for comfort, another as a connection to ones past. IMHO these are not "Birgadoonary", eccentric, nor foolish. A wise man once said:" if you don't learn the lessons of history, you are doomed to repeat them."

[Nathan]

Totally agree with the last few posts, but one part of Nathan's comment ("Some even mock the traditional culture as backward.") especially struck me. Let us ( and Scots) not forget that many once considered all of Highland culture, not "just" the kilt, as "backwards" & "barbaric". One would hope that at this stage that more people would abandon such notions, that any culture is somehow less, and that those who choose to wear the kilt are not necessarily doing so to attract attention, but for a myriad of reasons, one often being for comfort, another as a connection to ones past. IMHO these are not "Birgadoonary", eccentric, nor foolish. A wise man once said:" if you don't learn the lessons of history, you are doomed to repeat them."

And the thing is, the people I'm talking about are descended from Highlanders themselves. Some just view themselves as cosmopolitan urbanites in comparison and don't like being stereotyped as fishermen, farmers or rural, step dancing, fiddle playing, bag piping country folk. If someone grew up listening to Nirvana and his dad listened to Hank Williams, that stereotypical image doesn't always fit. When the stereotype doesn't fit, people rebel against it.

The thing is, the traditional culture is still vibrant and alive for a lot of people, especially in rural communities, but it is certainly stronger in some communities more than others.

My mother grew up in a Gaelic-speaking household and she and her cousin would make fun of their relatives with their "country buck" Gaelic accents when they'd come in to visit from Iona.

Old vs. new, city versus country, preservation vs. progress and other false dichotomies that define us.

[SeumasA]

Perhaps Scotland will eventually come to the same conclusion that I have and that this website's existence proves; that being modern and traditional are not mutually exclusive.

Well said Nathan. I think you hit the nail on the head with this post.

[TheOfficialBren]

Extremely well said, Nathan. Your eloquent choice of words, in my honest and humble opinion, is absolutely spot on. I could not agree more with your perspective, and the sentiment is definitely shared. Whilst reading your post, a particular song by the wonderfully talented musician, Steve McDonald of New Zealand, kept playing through my mind. The song is called, "All You Can Know" from McDonald's Sons of Somerled album released by Etherean Music, Inc. in 1996. This song, as well as the entire album, actually served as my "official soundtrack" during the beginning of my genealogical research, and when I began asking my family questions regarding our Highland heritage. It's quite an evocative tune with unique application to the points you raised throughout your post. You may have heard it before.

Apologies, the digital quality of the video isn't that good, but the audio is fine.

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



Slainte mhath,

Ditto to @Nathan's excellent post and ditto to Steve McDonald's "Sons of Somerled" album. Good tunes and also my own soundtrack to my first enquiries about our roots.

[Ron Abbott]

Just got sent this:-

http://www.wow247.co.uk/blog/2014/07...tival-visitor/

[Jock Scot]

Just got sent this:-

http://www.wow247.co.uk/blog/2014/07...tival-visitor/

Yes indeed a fun, with a large dollop of truth contained within, list of observations and I find nos 9/10 particularly pertinent, for ALL those visiting Scotland.

[Jock Scot]

Well, I have just waded through all the posts in this thread and with the added observations and discussions with natives and visitors, that I have had since this train of thought germinated in my mind, the end result, thus far, is that I am none the wiser!

Its like grasping mist on the hill, its there for anyone to see, but can anyone get hold of it? No!

What I do know, is that on occasion now when getting dressed, I actually find myself considering if I should wear the kilt for no reason at all and worse still, for such and such an event. Something that in the past would never have occured and I find that unsettling.

What I am unable to grasp are undercurrents that certainly exist within Scotland, but as yet I am unable to define, or even begin to understand.

[bwat]

The question shouldn't be "why don't the Scots wear the kilt daily?" but maybe "why do so many Scots wear the kilt daily?", or at least, "why is the kilt worn so often?". I know of no other European country where the national dress is so commonly seen. I also know of no other country where the folk dress of a non-elite group was adopted by the whole country as the national dress. Scotland, it seems to me, is an anomaly. Mind you I'm no expert on these things.

[Tarheel]

Between bwat and Jock Scot's two posts, I too had that funny shiver flow over my nape. It's like looking in the mirror one day and seeing your parent's face, then rubbing your eyes and seeing yourself. "No particular reason" might be the answer, or like parents always say, "because, I said so." But isn't it grand!