Tossing the Torrie

[IsaacW]

Sure, it might not have become fashionable to have a tourie early in the 18th Century, but fashion is cyclic, so to tell someone they must have a toruie otherwise they are not traditional, I just see that as kinda wrong. Ranks right up there with telling a Mohawk he aint a real indian unless he has a Sioux war bonnet......

OK perhaps not, but there are a whole lot of "English", or at least Western European fashion "Rules" that have overtaken pure Scottish Culture and pushed aside well documented practices from a time when the culture still stood on its own.

Luke, the Punk Rock Highlander wearing brown leather and brass after 6pm to formal events

Totally get it, but... there are cultural norms in practice today amongst Scots in Scotland and abroad that provide "guidelines" or expectations in dress. To your Mohawk quote... what would happen if you went to a modern Mohawk social dance, kitted out like a 17th century or 18th century Mohawk? You will likely raise some eyebrows and there will be a lot of comments and lip-pointing at you. Of course some of this is coming back and cyclical too... BUT... you get my point.

Isaac, not so punk rock highlander wearing brown leather and brass right now

[Luke MacGillie]

I can't see myself showing up at Burns Night in a clout, but I have shown up wearing 4 different tartans with gilt buttons and accessories. Thankfully where I was socialized into the "Modern" Scottish world, in a far flung corner of the globe, participation was more important than following the whims of someone thousands of miles away.

This thread reminds me of MacGillie story #368, standing in front of the 4 Kings paintings with a group of a dozen 30 something to teenage Mohawks while an elder lectures them on how they were not Sailors or Prostitutes and there was no tattooing tradition among their people!

Among us hairless apes there are always those that attempt to exert control via dress. Probably goes all the way back to 3 people in deerhide outfits excluding someone in an elk outfit.

[Leprechaun 91]

I can't see myself showing up at Burns Night in a clout, but I have shown up wearing 4 different tartans...

Totally off topic for my own thresd here but ... That we wear kilts in honour of the Bard is humorous. He was a Lowlander and likely never would have worn a kilt at all. Ayrshire is certainly not know for it's kilt-wearing public. ...

I now return you to our regularly scheduled thread...

[IsaacW]

Totally off topic for my own thresd here but ... That we wear kilts in honour of the Bard is humorous. He was a Lowlander and likely never would have worn a kilt at all. Ayrshire is certainly not know for it's kilt-wearing public. ...

I now return you to our regularly scheduled thread...

Yup... I have said this before about Burns and kilts. And that it has become such a scheduled, formalized ceremony at most dinners is interesting considering the humble origins of the first "Burns Dinner."

[Jack Daw]

I've learned to get used to the tourie on top. I finally broke down and bought a balmoral a couple of years ago after getting too chilled in fall weather at a Highland games. Now, I'm snuggly comfortable, and I have not suffered for it in public. My back smarts terribly today, so my attitude may be such that if I catch a drug-store cowboy or a pseudo-Scot wearing a hat inside, I'll just want to snatch the friggin' thing off and say, "Your mother told me to do that!"

[Luke MacGillie]

I've learned to get used to the tourie on top. I finally broke down and bought a balmoral a couple of years ago after getting too chilled in fall weather at a Highland games. Now, I'm snuggly comfortable, and I have not suffered for it in public. My back smarts terribly today, so my attitude may be such that if I catch a drug-store cowboy or a pseudo-Scot wearing a hat inside, I'll just want to snatch the friggin' thing off and say, "Your mother told me to do that!"

Dirks and Sken Dubhs are arms

[Jack Daw]

Dirks and Sken Dubhs are arms

My seconds will call upon your seconds. (As the challenged, I get to choose the weaponry - rubber chickens)

[kiltedcontractor]

Rubber chickens can be dangerous. Please be sure nobody has a latex alergy.