The Scots-Irish culture, religion, governmental notions, rugged individualist spirit all make America what it is. There were kilted men fighting for America's Freedom in the Revolutionary War. Scots-Irish descendants took the very best of what was in Scotland, Ireland, Whales and England and established a New World. James Webb's book, Born Fighting, documents this extensively.
Chris,

Sorry to be a stickler, but the majority of the Ulster-Scots were Lowlanders and Protestants to boot who viewed the "wild Highlanders" the same way they later viewed the native Americans -- or the "wild Irish". Lowlanders did not wear kilts, and the majority of Highlanders in the colonies were Loyalists; many were former Jacobites who already been through one revolution. The most famous example was Flora MacDonald. In fact, it has been said that the last Highland Charge occured at the Battle of Moore's Creek Bridge in North Carolina, with Loyalist Highland troops yelling "King George and Broadswords!" as they charged the Patriot forces, most of whom were Scots-Irish/Ulster-Scots. Many left after the Revolution and went to Nova Scotia and Ontario. Some Jacobites, like Hugh Mercer, did serve with the Patriot forces -- but I can't say I've ever seen any evidence of him wearing Highland garb.

Scots at one point were villified by the American colonials, even to the point of Jefferson mentioning the "Scotch mercenaries" in the Declaration of Independence -- the Rev. John Witherspoon, himself a Scot asked TJ to remove that line. I also remember a reference to Scottish POW's being insulted by colonials as they were escorted behind the lines, and most of said colonials would have been Scots-Irish!

BTW, watch Webb's book -- more personal opinion than documented evidence. Leyburn's "the Scotch-Irish: a Social History" is far better. You might also take a look at James Hunter's "A Dance Called America" Celeste Ray's "Highland Heritage", Duane Meyer's "The Highland Scots of North Carolina" and Fischer's "Albion's Seed". Much more reliable sources on the Ulster Scots. I've seen several very negitive reviews of Webb from very good scholars. I wasn't impressed with it when I read it, for what that's worth. Leyburn is much more reliable, and he debunks the myth of the Scots-Irish wearing kilts in the introduction.

Regards,

Todd