kilts in Scotland

[Abax]

Sorry Stan, I've got to call you on that, and as a Scot, personally I find it rather insulting. The fact that kilts are not common for day to day wear does not mean that Scotland is tossing it aside.

It seems unlikely that Stan was trying to personally insult you. It seems much more likely that when Stan says "they" in . . .

Good; then they can't complain when others take up what they have tossed aside.

. . . he's referring to obviously misinformed people who cast themselves as experts (perhaps even cloaked in some form of Nationalism) and criticize someone who - unlike them - has made an effort to acquire and proudly wear a kilt.

I can only hope that one of noble the people you describe who suffered through wool rationing or who holds the kilt in great respect would not give cause for Stan to describe them as "complaining." I'd expect you too - like most of us who have worn kilts in public - have run into experts on kilts and all things Scottish who obviously are not.

If you'd rather that we all reserve the kilt for special occasions because that's your preferred custom, then you are - of course - welcome to hold that preference. But it is hardly the basis to take offense or express your indignation when someone else prefers to adapt the kilt to a broader purpose. With great respect for what's happened in the past, I don't live there anymore.

Whether you're a Scot or not, I'm afraid I have to give a little less credence to the words of people who appear go out of their way to misconstrue the words of others and act insulted as a form of one-upmanship. Instead of acting indignant, consider asking the poster a question about what they meant and seek to understand their viewpoint without the histrionics.

Abax

[macwilkin]

If you'd rather that we all reserve the kilt for special occasions because that's your preferred custom, then you are - of course - welcome to hold that preference. But it is hardly the basis to take offense or express your indignation when someone else prefers to adapt the kilt to a broader purpose. With great respect for what's happened in the past, I don't live there anymore.

Abax:

I can't speak for Chef, but I can speak for myself. I would never hold anyone but myself accountable to my standards regarding Highland attire. What I object to is the assumption that because many Scots choose not to wear the kilt on a casual, day-to-day basis, they are somehow abandoning the kilt and Highland attire. Like many Scots, I choose to wear the kilt for certain functions -- but I hold only myself to that standard. I certainly respect those who wear a kilt on a daily basis -- all I ask is for that respect to be returned.

Regards,

Todd

[Oldhiker]

I have noticed that for Americans in general we a have a great need to be able to connect with our roots. This is irregardless of which country of origin of our ancestors. We Americans only have 300 years of history at a maximum.
Germany, Ireland, Scotland, etc have thousands of years of history right in their backyard. The natives have grown up with that knowledge. It is new an exciting to us americans finding our roots and it is fantastic memorable joyous event. I am not saying native europeans are not history fanatics, it is just not as big of an experience to see a castle or a battlesite.

I think at least for me wearing a kilt is a way to connect back to newly gained knowledge of my roots. My ancestors in Indiana wore a coonskin cap but I knew that growing up and have no desire to do it now.

[Panache]

"I grew up in Europe, where the history comes from"

eddie izzard

[gilmore]

...We Americans only have 300 years of history at a maximum.
...

Some of us have been here 400 years.

[SteveB]

It was in the 1960's that I had the occasion to spend a month in Scotland. I was visiting and staying with a friend's parents while he was visiting the US and staying with my parents. The one month exchange was an opportunity I had been waiting for. I did spend time while touring, visiting others and attending "events" kitted in a kilt. However a good deal of my activity was not suited to the wearing of a kilt and I was either in chinos or jeans. I had the good fortune to experience a little less fortunate lifestyle in Scotland at the time compared to my situation in the United States. My Scottish "father" and "brothers" prized their kilts and the full kit. They only wore their kilts on two occasions, one was a wedding, the other a civil promotion ceremony. Their kilts, like mine were hand stitched, wool tartan tanks. When attending the civil ceremony with them, I had to explain that I really was from a different clan, since my tartan was the odd one in the family.( Campbell vs MacNeil ) At the wedding, one of my Scottish "brothers" referred to me as his Hire Brother. ( many laughs among us to this day.) During the month I learned a whole new language called "English", very different from the American language that I brought with me. However we had Gaelic as a common tongue.
--- Steve

[SteveB]

Part of my family has been here 387 years, some 120 years, some 88 years. Some of my spouse's family has been here 387 years, a small portion has been in America over 1000 years. History is stranger than fiction.
--- Steve

[graham_s]

It's an expensive thing to buy a Kilt in Scotland.
A kilt alone can cost around £250, never mind the rest of the accessories.
Not a prospect for the average person in the street.
"party" Kilts or "tourist" Kilts (generally made by heritage) are not very common as they are only available in tourist shops.

[Amoskeag]

Some of us have been here 400 years.

I've been here for 51.47 years. I wear kilts because I like them (and so does my mother). That's it! I really don't care why anyone else wears a kilt, but I'm glad they do.
Bob

[Woodsheal]

For the majority of its existence in Scotland, the kilt was the everyday, work-a-day garment of thousands of men and boys - farmers, shepherds, boatmen, soldiers, etc. - more often than not sweat-soaked, dirty, and foul smelling.

More this:



...than this:



Some of us just find it a bit sad that, in the country of its birth, the everyday common aspect of the kilt has faded into history....