Jock, Jimmy and the Q, I will try to respond.

Jimmy:-

By fancy dress, I just mean an unusual costume that is worn for some kind of special occasion or to attract attention. I think I was teasing Jock.

Jock:-

" whirling cogs and shafts" Yes - equivalent to chainsawing.

"I rarely wear the kilt outwith the Highlands " That is a choice that puzzles many of us. I have a feeling that, in your youth, you only came to the Highlands on kilted holidays - maybe it's a repercussion of that. But it is a choice.

" Horse riding ... also not a good idea with the kilt" ??Trews

" kilts and chest waders(fishing) do not go." and " The kilt and shooting and deer stalking do not march happily together" I am in ignorance here. Definitely not my lifestyle! Ticks - see later.

" My two full time kilt wearers have passed on" The way you express that they sound like family members; were their lifestyles so different from yours?


The Q:-

" Sailing would destroy a kilt" Suggests the kilt was not favoured in the Isles where boats were ubiquitous.

" oil and kilts are not a good combination. ( The oil is a skin irritant)" and " Riding the motor scooter" Again - like chainsawing.

" Gardening, aka jungle clearance, although we don't have anything deadly, nettles, brambles, and horse flies are not to be given easy access..." Well, at my age, I now have many "gardening" kilts and a well stocked jungle of brambles, whins, nettles etc. frequently adds some extra rips and general distressing. Diesel off the tractor adds to the tartan pattern - and Mrs neloon likes the smell of diesel! Clegs, midgies etc will get your exposed parts anyway - use repellent.

Jimmy and Jock:-

Ticks. Here, we're surrounded by sheep, deer, pets and all manner of other carriers but I don't seem to get bitten any more often than Mrs neloon. You just have to check when you get in and wheek the little devils out with one of those clever gadgets. My daughter and her chums on Duke of Edinburgh expeditions wore breeks, gaiters end so on but still got regularly attacked.


I realise I'm eccentric - aren't we all a bit. I just think that Scots have slipped into focussing on reasons for wearing the kilt rather than is there really and truly any reason why not. Jock went to his drinks party unkilted - just for variety?
So really, really, what fraction of our lives is it truly not a good idea to wear the kilt or is it just "Well, you don't wear the kilt to go shopping, go to the dentist/doctor/hairdresser, visit friends, go out for a drink/meal ... people just don't do that. "

Alan