Kilted in TN (picture, too)

**Roan Carter** · 29th April 06, 05:09 PM

I just thought I'd introduce myself and share some thoughts about the kilt.

My name is Roan. In the last couple of years I began to feel that my heritage was so important to me that I decided I'd fight the trends of my fellow teenagers and wear a kilt as casual clothing. I'm about to turn 21 now and just yesterday purchased a Black Stewart standard kilt from StillWater, my second kilt.

I'll try to not pass too much judgement about it, but where I live is a fiercely conservative and small (minded) town in East TN. It seems I have to shrug off a lot to wear my kilt every other week or so, but surely someone here understands the way that Scotland has spoken to my heart.

The picture is of me in my Sport Kilt. :rolleyes: The colors were adjusted a bit for a previous web project of mine. I'll let you know how it goes with StillWater.

That's all I guess. Thanks for managing such a great forum.

**Mike1** · 29th April 06, 05:16 PM

Welcome, Roan.

Just remember to concern yourself with how YOU feel about your kilt and not worry so much about what others might feel.

I hope you enjoy your time here at X Marks.

**Big Dave** · 29th April 06, 05:20 PM

Welcome. Wear your cilt with pride.

**pdcorlis** · 29th April 06, 05:21 PM

Welcome to the group - I'm sure you'll find much here to help you learn all the 'tricks" to wearing a kilt with pride and respect for its great tradition!

**Southern Breeze** · 29th April 06, 05:39 PM

Welcome to X-Marks and the addiction. Wear your kilt often and with pride!

**davedove** · 29th April 06, 05:45 PM

Originally Posted by Roan Carter

I'll try to not pass too much judgement about it, but where I live is a fiercely conservative and small (minded) town in East TN. It seems I have to shrug off a lot to wear my kilt every other week or so, but surely someone here understands the way that Scotland has spoken to my heart.

That's a shame considering how much of the Smokies region was settled by Scots. I was in the Smokies last fall (granted the touristy areas) and the only comments I got were people asking me about the tartan and telling me about theirs. Although they weren't wearing a kilt, they liked mine. The waitress at the restaurant in Pigeon Forge commented that there was a gentleman from Scotland (he had moved to the area) in the other room who never wore a kilt. I didn't meet him, but he did wave to me through the window. I also met an elderly woman in the park who was from Scotland, and she told me how well I was wearing my kilt.

**Roan Carter** · 29th April 06, 05:55 PM

Originally Posted by davedove

That's a shame considering how much of the Smokies region was settled by Scots. I was in the Smokies last fall (granted the touristy areas) and the only comments I got were people asking me about the tartan and telling me about theirs. Although they weren't wearing a kilt, they liked mine. The waitress at the restaurant in Pigeon Forge commented that there was a gentleman from Scotland (he had moved to the area) in the other room who never wore a kilt. I didn't meet him, but he did wave to me through the window. I also met an elderly woman in the park who was from Scotland, and she told me how well I was wearing my kilt.

Shame indeed. My family tries to maintain traditions of the region. My mother plays the dulcimer.

I go to Gatlinburg every summer to this Celtic shop in a part called The Village to get my shirts and things, it's just beyond Pigeon Forge. I'm glad that the people you met were so positive about your kilt!

**andyfg** · 29th April 06, 05:57 PM

Welcome Roan,

You will find a lot of support in the forum. It is very helpful to know that there are lots of folk our there who take delight in wearing the kilt. Not always easy when some folk are narrow minded, but here you will always find help and support . . . and a good laugh!

Enjoy!

**auld argonian** · 29th April 06, 06:07 PM

Cheer up, lad....I live in Chicago and (besides kilts) I often wear either a grey "hoodie" or a baseball jacket with big maple leafs and "CANADA" written across in lage red letters..this usually prompts some dUckhead or another to yell something like: "Hey...go back to Canada! This is America!". Now I am a US citizen but I've been to Canada many times and I really love the place...hence the big ole "Canada" stuff...which is by way of saying that no matter where you go (with the possible exception of Venice, California) SOMEBODY is going to give you grief for dressing out of the "norm".

Of course this is THE kilted support group...the kilt is the norm in this company. So kilt on!

Best

AA