Burns Night 2020

[SeanPaul]

Hi all.

This is my first post and I would like some information please.

I am of Irish heritage and have an Irish kilt.

I was wondering could I or can I wear it for Burns Night by any chance, or is it only Scottish/Highland wear allowed? And does the Irish kilt come under Highland wear? Or again is it just the Scottish kilt's that are Highland wear.

Thank you in advance on any advice.

All the best

Sean.

[Father Bill]

Well... Rabbie was a lowlander, and probably never owned a kilt in his life, so....

[FossilHunter]

I doubt anyone will bat an eye at an Irish tartan kilt at a burns supper. It's more likely that few would recognize the tartan anyway.

Now a saffron kilt would stand out more but I don't think anyone would find it objectionable in the slightest.

[Rhaco]

I'd be real surprised if anyone noticed. I've never worn anything but Scottish tartans to Irish events and never heard word one, with the exception of people honestly inquiring what the origin of the tartan was. Someone might be slightly more likely to notice at a Burns Night, but you're miles ahead for having even thought of it. Just figure out your answer ahead of time e.g. "this is my family tartan, so it's what I chose to wear," or even just saying "this is my only kilt," I've always worn my band kilt to stuff like burns night and "I like the colors and wanted to represent my pipe band," has always cut muster for me. Ultimately the kilt police have a lot to do that night, so they'll probably miss you entirely.

I've never not played Scotland the Brave on St Patrick's day, and I usually toss in Burns' Set just for fun. I can count on zero hands how often it has come up.

[Cameron of Texas]

I'm wearing my Kennedy modern kilt to R Burns night because It better compliments my grey Argyle jacket and its a heavier weave, more appropriate for cool weather. I can't remember if it's technically an Irish tartan, but the Kennedys overall have a stronger connection to Ireland than Scotland. I doubt anyone in attendance will give a flip

[imbrius]

I'm wearing Armstrong Ancient.

The Armstrongs were borderers and, as such, likely never wore kilts, likely disliked (and probably robbed and murdered) kilt-wearers, and didn't have a tartan of their own (they wore a border check, a.k.a. Burns check). The "Armstrong" tartan was an invention of the Sobieski Stewarts in the Vestarium Scoticum.

On the one hand, recognizing the border families is cool because Burns was one. On the other hand, I find it hilarious given the historical facts.

[OC Richard]

I think to most people kilts are kilts, and nobody will probably notice.

Well they would notice a selfcoloured kilt, especially the so-called saffron. But it wouldn't matter to anybody, I don't think.

I have noticed a change in "Irish" pipe bands. Decades ago they nearly all wore solid-selfcoloured kilts, now nearly all have switched to one of the "Irish" tartans.

[Katia]

Plenty of people will probably show up without kilts or any manner of Scottish dress at all.

Would a venue really bar someone from entry for wearing an Irish tartan??

[Lehane]

Hi,

I don't mean to hijack this thread. Only my second post - first one is still active on gold buttons.

I am going to my first Burns night and I plan to wear the Irish National with Black Sherrifmuir, bottle green ruche, bottle green hose/satin flashes, buckle brogues, 5 button vest. I have ancient blue green diced on order but I don't think they will make it by 25th. So I am very interested in your replies.

The St. Andrew Society I belong to is 'open' to all Celts so I am not too concerned, but I will be bright! There is nothing subtle about the Irish National. LOL

I looked at pictures from last year's dinner and the dress ranged from kilts and shirts through to Mont Rose with Jabot/cuffs and everything in between. Lots of people in fly plaid and some not.

I am considering a Jabot but not sure. I like both the Jabot and plaids as 'extravagances' but the lace cuff a bit 'foppish.' You have to draw the line somewhere. LOL

So chime in folks what say you?

[Oilverland]

Make that Burns Night 2020 - I can't edit the heading to fix my typo there

Second year now we have an invite only Burns supper. Had to make it invite only because of limited space and limited Haggis. Although somebody else gets my share, I don't eat meat.

I'm an Irish Murray and will wear a Murray of Atholl tartan. USA Kilts told me the Scottish Murrays allow that their Irish cousins can wear this tartan. They say the Kennedys allow for this too, there is a post above where a Kennedy Tartan is being worn. As others note above, it's OK anyway. (BTW for a great movie about Irish UN forces see the Siege of Jadotville, a real incident, on Netflix.)

Thought you might enjoy seeing our program. "Speaker" is any of a number of people


Opening instrumental: “Ashokan Farewell” - mandolin, fiddle, guitar

Speaker shares a bit of background on Robbie Burns

Tenor (me) sings “My Love is Like a Red, Red Rose”, accompanied on piano, and “Green Grow the Rashes O” accompanying self on guitar [My brother says I should sing tenor - ten or eleven miles away.]

Robert Burns toast

Speaker reads History of the Haggis

Piper plays “A Man’s a Man for a’ That” while haggis comes in

Speaker reads Address to A Haggis

Haggis retired to the kitchen with parade of participants and bagpiper playing traditional haggis retirement tune

Pause for refreshments

Speaker recites “A Song for Kilts”

Singer sings “Caledonia” with mandolin accompanied by guitarist

Speaker reads “To a Mountain Daisy”

Soprano sings “The Snow, it Melts the Soonest” “Ye Jacobites by Name”,
“When Rosy May Comes in wi’ Flowers”; accompanied by guitar

Speaker reads “John Anderson, My Jo”

Piper plays “Georgina Moore” and “Farewell to the Creeks

Everyone sings “The Drunk Scotsman”, “Loch Lomond”, “Auld Lang Syne” with multiple instrument accompaniment.