Hello everyone!

[jiminak]

Well, it's been a very long time since I was a member of any forum. (Back then they were called bulletin boards!) I finally decided to dip my toe back in, ably but gently encouraged by a very good friend of mine, who happens also to be one of X Mark’s more prominent members.

These days I live in leafy Surrey, in the southeast of England, but was raised first in Perthshire, Scotland then in Devonshire and later Somerset in the southwest of England.

I have seven kilts, all acquired in the last few years, and surely more to come. Three are from Utilikilts being two workman’s and a leather kilt. The other four are traditional kilts from Scottish makers. The tartans are Baillie (green and blue), Ross (red and green), Isle of Skye (purple and brown) and Stewart Black (black and red). Baillie is the one I grew up with. It is a rare tartan and to wear it again I have had to have it woven to order.

I came to kilts at an early age, possibly at about six or seven. I and several of my little friends wore kilts pretty much day to day in all weathers until we were into our early teens. We lived by Loch Tay, and as we grew older my mother described me (us?) as “feral”, only reliably indoors for meals and bedtime. Others in the village used a variety of alternative terms, probably well deserved. That said, we did at least regularly attend school. You did then.

Some of us had ponies, and we’d be off on those if the weather was half decent. In those days nobody seemed to mind not knowing exactly where you were and the big outdoors really was. It was also often wet and cold, but that’s Scotland for you.

Then my folks moved to the southwest of England and the kilts were put away. And thus it remained until just a few years ago. Regrettably, none have survived, although I still have and wear my original sporran and sgian dubh.

Various pressures finally brought me back to kilts and I now wear them regularly, to the extent that trouser (pants) free days are now frequent. I really don’t like trousers that much any more, and avoid them if I can, however some of my other interests, paragliding for example, are not kilt friendly. Come to think of it, all my interests seem to be mutually incompatible! I need to get a grip!

It’s nice to finally be here,

Jim

[nixphotography]

Well let me be the first to welcome you to the forum and say enjoy your stay. I live in Laurens, SC, USA.

Brett

[sorcererdale]

yeah, I wonder how many others on here know what bulletin boards were and how few there were. Welcome to the group! I am sure you will enjoy reading and we'll look forward to a picture of you in your kilt.

DALE.

[Splash_4]

A very nice introduction and welcome to the board! int:

Mike
from somehwhere in middle Georgia, USA

[Dirk Skene]

Welcome from Memphis, Tennessee USA.

I started wearing kilts about the same time you started re-wearing them. I am up to 5 so I am not far behind you. Addictive isn't it?

[Robin]

Another warm welcome

The Hague, The Netherlands

[JimB]

Welcome from Utah!!

[cgrinder]

Well it appears you will fit in wonderfully here at Xmarks!! Welcome from just outside Atlanta, GA

[MacTavishOfJapan]

Welcome from a fellow Scot in Japan.

[KiltedCodeWarrior]

Welcome from Florida!

...I finally decided to dip my toe back in, ably but gently encouraged by a very good friend of mine, who happens also to be one of X Mark’s more prominent members...

Hmmh, a prominent Xmarks member located posibly near southeast England.. I wonder who that might be??