not wearing a Kilt

[Pleater]

There are even morris dancers who wear kilts - I saw some at the Sidmouth folk festival - they are usually the last ones standing when dancing amongst those wearing breeks of some kind - the kinds can be quite various in morris.

Anne the Pleater

[jumary]

[QUOTE=Jock Scot;1325617]A good question! A really good question!

"Its a left over from a time(probably the last couple of hundred years) where the Highland Scots did not wear the kilt below the "Highland line" and more recently the Scottish border, therefore the comment of "its just not done". An unbelievably powerful comment--------devastating even---- in some circles of British society, even in this day and age."

I think I may have found part of the source of resistance to Jock's position. The phrase, "It's just not done" rankles many Americans. For some reasons, we just do not like hearing that, and our natural reaction to this thinking is to say, "Don't tell me. I'll do and wear what I want." At least that is the case for me.
Note, there are of course exceptions. While serving in the military, I proudly wore my uniform and complied with those restrictions.

[Pegasys]

Reading this thread reminds me of the mindset of ' just because you can , doesn't mean you should ... My thinking has over recent months and more so recent weeks been leaning to wearing the kilt much more often , daily as a matter of custom and in places and to functions I would have never considered before because it suits me . What I am bearing in mind every time I choose to kilt is that it brings no scorn or derision to the kilt or to Scotland or my family name , while at the same time not fearing the odd look or comment . In many things I do I am often torn between the ideal and the practical , tradition and modernity , what's acceptable and what's pushing the limits . In many ways I envy you Jock , and others who grew up with and were exposed to highland culture because my upbringing was anything but .

I recently went to a semi formal banquet put on by a uniquely American organization that would run afoul of #rule11 here by default and will remain nameless . The point is that while there I was complimented { by males} several times on my attire and one associate of the club we belong to liked the look to the point she remarked ' I think I just may get my husband to get and wear a kilt ... ' so I got questioned a bit by her husband with genuine interest . And I'm sure not by coincidence I heard on 2 occasions over the course of the evening bagpipes coming from a cell phone Had I not asked for and received alot of advice that has been taken deeply to heart on what was appropriate for formal , semi or just kickin it , I would have gone in my braveheart kilt hire look and possibly brought derision on myself or the kilt . I think your position and upbringing Jock , Father Bill , Steve A. , Mael , OC Richard and all the other elder kilters , to us here at least is a valuable anchor to tradition , its minor variations and how to take the best of that tradition and carry it forward proudly with a wee bit of the 'swish & swagger and rules are for mere mortals' but always with class .

[Grae]

I recall reading these comments on this forum which touch on the issues raised here;
Comment 1;

Why is it frowned on by some to wear the kilt outwith the highlands, but Scotch whisky is universally acclaimed by the same highlanders as something they're proud to share? Should I be drinking only rye?

And ; Comment 2;

It seems that wherever Scottish people immigrated to (and they went all over the globe), they took certain traditions with them. The love for tartan and the kilt is just one of them. Making whisky, playing the fiddle, in some cases, even speaking the Gaelic language, are just a few of the many traditions and aspects of their culture that migrated along with the people. Would anyone suggest that Highland dancing must only be performed in the Highlands? Or that Auld Lang Syne should only be sung in Ayrshire?

No, those things seem ridiculous to anyone. So why limit the wearing of Highland dress to those either born in, or currently living in the Highlands?

Furthermore, were that the case, the Scots Highlanders long ago would have ceased having any place to buy their tartans and kilts, as the tartan mills would have all shut down for lack of business!

Not my statements but they make a lot of sense.

[Profane James]

I think the 'why' is not as subjective as the 'why not.'

[estimaa]

Its not a nationalist thing either, its one of those" its just not done" things.

I love doing things which are "NOT DONE".
I even wore it in a crown court case in WALES.

I am sure the very biased judge took great exception to it, which was one of the whole points of doing it, during which time, the stupid plod witness carried on regardless, perjuring himself under oath, as usual.

It's not a "NOT DONE" thing, it's about showing a finger to the whole system, - so go ahead and wear scottish identity in England and particularly in Westminster.

If more Scots and the Welsh in Westminster showed more awareness of the disaster that was wreaked on their national culture by English victorian values then the "un-united" kingdom would have been a much better place decades ago instead of "political correctness" to this degree.

[Alan H]

I have worn the kilt in Singapore, in Italy, regularly in Australia so I would have no hesitation of wearing a kilt in England if I wanted to . With clothes from the whole world on daily display in London why should the kilt wearers feel out of place or unequal to other "non English" clothes. The rest of the world does not buy into this cultural snobbery so why should I. Do we ban Morris dancers outside The land of the Angles? Of course not.

We've been over this and over this and over this and over this.

"snobbery"

I've met Jock in person and "snob" is the absolute farthest thing from the reality of what the man is.

Look, Jock is entirely tolerant of you wearing your kilt wherever you want to. If you want to wear it mud wrestling in Swaziland, then Jock isn't going to huff and puff about it. At the same time, he's an older gentleman raised in a previous generation, in a particular location and his perception of what's done and what's not done is just as valid as yours. It's different, sure, but there's no reason to call him a "snob".

Jock chooses to not wear his kilt outside of the Highlands. Nobody here has the right to tell him that he's wrong in choosing to do that. If asked, he'll explain why that is his choice. That's HIS CHOICE, just like it's YOUR CHOICE to wear your kilt to your Rotary Club lunch, the local rugby game, or to a bar on saturday night. Jock is not saying "You're not allowed to wear a kilt outside of Scotland" and then wave his Kilt Nazi forefinger at you. He's saying that HE...HE... doesn't feel right wearing a kilt outside of Scotland, and that many others in his neighborhood, and of his acquaintance feel the same. He right-up admits that not all Scots feel the same way. The man has participated in this forum for many years. He's quite aware that gents in North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia wear kilts for many occasions. He's never said "you can't do that".....only that HE chooses not to do that.

[Alan H]

I am not a Scot. I'm a citizen of the United States of America who happens to have some distant Scottish ancestry...and you have to go WAY, WAY back to find it. I happen to like kilts and enjoy wearing them. Enjoy a lot of Scottish culture and history, but I am not a Scot.

When I met Jock for dinner in a town near where he lives, I wore a kilt. I put a little bit of effort into looking clean and presentable and I wore the thing with an awareness of the cultural background. I wore leather shoes, decent kilt hose, a nice belt and a leather sporran. I even wore a waistcoat and tie. Wooohoo.

We went out for dinner at a Spanish place with my wife. We laughed. We drank wine. Jock Scot, very generously, picked up the tab...thanks again, Jock! We had a marvelous time. NOT ONCE did Jock "go off" on me, an AMERICAN daring to wear a kilt.

[Father Bill]

Jock is my friend. A little stodgy maybe. Set in his ways maybe. But a gentleman and a caring soul and knowledgeable.

[Alan H]

...and a right good sense of humour. He got me in trouble with Joan by joking around about what goes on, on this forum! ... all in good fun.