Kilt Do's and Don'ts

[macwilkin]

I have seen turbans on RCMP officers in full scartlet regalia and on Canadian soldiers in dress uniforms. I might have seen one on a Seaforth Highlander. Turbans with business suits or casual dress or sporting uniforms are such a common sight around here that you don't notice them.

I think that if a Sikh wanted to wear a kilt, he could look good in it - substituting his kirpan for a sgian dubh.

There are a couple of Sikh tartans, actually. One is the Singh tartan, designed and registered Lord Singh, who lived in Scotland and is quite the Burns devotee:

http://www.sikhspectrum.com/122002/tartan_tsher.htm

http://www.sikhspectrum.com/122002/tartan_scot.htm

A Sikh Regiment in the Indian Army, the heir to Rattray's Sikh Regiment from the days of the British Raj, has pipers that wear the Rattray tartan.

I have a picture of the Canadian journalist, T. Sher Singh, around somewhere, in full formal rig with a Singh tartan kilt and the traditional Turban, but now I can't find it.

The Scots and the Sikhs share many connections due to their service in the British Army the Raj -- same wi' the Gurkhas. And from what my grandfather told me about the Sikh policemen in India during the Second World War, if one was wearing a kilt you would regret laughing at him for sure!

Cheers,

Todd

[Alan H]

This one isn't necessarily BAD it's just...well...

uh...

Bad.



Tho I must admit there's something about the sense of humour, here....

[Kilted KT]

This one isn't necessarily BAD it's just...well...

uh...

Bad.



Tho I must admit there's something about the sense of humour, here....

Highland Stormtrooper...Specialized legion trained to deal with haggis eating, scotch drink, kitl wearing warriors. Seldom has this legion been successful, as their armor does not protect them from the affects of concentrated single malt, especially anything older that 12 yrs. rumor has it that photographic evidence of the Dark Lord himself having once been a member of this legion exists, although it has not been substantiated yet.

more to come as this story develops.

[macwilkin]

Gents,

There is a rather strong connection between North American Cowboys and Scotland, especially in song and music. Many of what we think of as "traditional" cowboy/western songs are actually Scots and Irish ballads. For instance, "The Streets of Laredo" is the same tune as the old Irish song, "The Bard of Armagh". " The Scottish whaling song, "Farewell to Tarwhathie" (sic?) is also "The Railroad Corral". There is even a cowboy song in Scots Gaelic, "Farewell to Coigach", written in before the First World War by a cowboy named Murdo Maclean. If you want to hear some of these "crossover" songs, check out:

www.cowboyceltic.com

Cowboy Celtic is my favourite Celtic group, bar none. Another good source is Rob Gibson, who wrote the book "Plaids and Bandanas: from Highland drover to wild west cowboy", published by Luath Press (http://www.luath.co.uk/) Mr. Gibson also has a CD of "cowboy celtic" music of the same name. Michael Martin Murphy also frequently mentions the connection.

So, there is a connection. I won't judge this individual, because I don't know why he's wearing this get-up, but perhaps it is to illustrate the strong connection between Scottish Drovers and North American cowboys. He might take some grief from "drugstore" cowboys, but it would be obvious that they were unaware of the history.

Slainte, y'all!**

Todd

** The colloquialism "y’all" evolved from the Gaelic construction "sibh vile" (se’ vall) or you all. -- not sure of the documentation on this, but it certainly fits into this thread.

[davedove]

Another good reason NOT to mix western and highland apparel is that each evolved for completely different circumstances. It's been discussed many times on this board that kilts aren't really all that good for riding. Highlanders wealthy enough for a horse would have wore trousers while riding.

Cowboy boots were developed specifically for riding. The pointed toe allows the rider to quickly get his foot into the stirrup while the heel keeps the foot from going completely through the stirrup. This keeps the rider from being drug along the ground because of a trapped foot.

[macwilkin]

Another good reason NOT to mix western and highland apparel is that each evolved for completely different circumstances. It's been discussed many times on this board that kilts aren't really all that good for riding. Highlanders wealthy enough for a horse would have wore trousers while riding.

Cowboy boots were developed specifically for riding. The pointed toe allows the rider to quickly get his foot into the stirrup while the heel keeps the foot from going completely through the stirrup. This keeps the rider from being drug along the ground because of a trapped foot.

Dave,

See my post before yours. In certain circumstances, such as a historian/racanteour/musician discussing the "Celtic connection" to the North American cowboy, I can see it.

Cheers,

Todd

[Iolaus]

In certain circumstances, such as a historian/racanteour/musician discussing the "Celtic connection" to the North American cowboy, I can see it.

Did someone too hit close to home?

[davedove]

Dave,

See my post before yours. In certain circumstances, such as a historian/racanteour/musician discussing the "Celtic connection" to the North American cowboy, I can see it.

Cheers,

Todd

Oh, no doubt Todd. In those situations though, it would be about making a point. In any other situation, I think it would just look really odd.

[bubba]

My grandfather worked as a cowboy in his younger days and according to his stories there were more black and indian cowboys than white. He enjoyed that life a great deal. Yup, he was of Scottish decent, John Wesley Hamilton (no connection to John Wesley Hardin ).