Well ,first of all, I agree in that the first thing I should do is presenting myself and let u know who I am! My name is José Antonio Sánchez (Tono Sánchez), and I'm a 32 years old spanish from the mediterranean coast of Valencia. As far as I am a full mediterranean I'm not related at all with the celtic traditions, history, etc,... even the celtic area of Spain is just 1000 kms. far from my home, so it's very strange for me that many things that make me feel good are related to that culture and traditions (pipes music, kilt, scottish gals,...) I know that for many of you the expression "celtic" is not really proper,(surely rangers supporters, !) but from the spanish point of view, as far as I should be considered an Iberian mixed with hundreds of other influences, that is the best way to call them.

Anyway, as far as I remember I felt attracted by all that world, even against my family tastes (they prefer the spanish flamenco much more than a pipe sound) or my cultural surround (Moors and Christians feasts and Fallas parties) but the fact is that, and I cannot make anything against it! who knows, if I were hindi or buddist I would think about a past life! , but I am Roman Catholic, so that's not really on my mind at all!

I travelled to Glasgow last easter in order to make eal my dream of being in Scotland for once, and I'll try to go back next easter again. I bought there a 4 yard 8 oz. knife pleated black patterned kilt (surely machine stitched) for me, from James pringle Weavers manufacture, and a royal Stuart, quite better quality, but on sale, for my brother, each one costed me over 90 pounds, that can be more or less 120 €. Although mine is not a wonder, it was enough to make me wear it for the first time to come back home, at the airport, surrounded by some hundreds of Scottish football supporters coming back from a match in Italy. I went back to spain kilted, and since then I wear my kilt a few times, as it's my only one, and I don't want to make it get badly too soon,... even being not the best of all, it's my first and only kilt!.

I entered this site looking for info on the net about the chance to know if there was a suitable tartan for me, as I am not related to any scottish name, surname or district at all, (obviously, mediterranean culture is not as much related with that of the highlands at all!) and at last, thx to Robin I get on a way to find a nice one, that you all can see as my avatar, and is registered at the scottish tartans authority as the "Valencia" tartan, and designed by a valencian girl.

Now, my next challenge will be to decide if I spend the money I would need for a new 8-yard kilt also knife pleated, with my "colours". Considering the price of the fabric (at least medium weight woollen tartan) with the transport and the tailoring costs, totally it would represent more or less the amount of my monthly net income.

As I'm still paying my car and flat,... it's a difficult decission don't u think?

Anyway, I'll try to make it real soon or later! Maybe M.A.C. Newsome would teach me how to sew it at my stops at different hotels all around Spain!(I work as a salesman, always driving from town to town)

Well, enough for 2day!
have luck u all over there!

Tono