How my tartan taste has changed

[Hamish]

Alan,

A fascinating read, and it's always good to hear how others have been 'grabbed' by The Kilt Thing! I see and fully appreciate where you are coming from, but my own approach has been, and is, different.

Although I have good Scots blood in my veins (albeit slightly diuted with some vintage English stuff), I am not really affected by the 'Heritage' angle although I respect it. For me, the kilt is a garment, an everyday garment, and not something I wear to honour my grandfather or his grandfather. I know nothing about them anyway. Apart from my two Gunn tartan kilts (Ancient and Weathered), I have selected all my others, and continue to do so, because they appeal to me; I like the colour combinations, the complexity or the simplicity of the sett. These kilts - all my kilts - are items of clothing which I chose to buy as I might previously have bought t------s, selecting by fabric, colour or pattern - even perhaps to 'go' with a particular shirt I've had for a while.

Of course, I like to know about the origins and variations of the tartans I buy, as everyone should, but I very, very seldom am led by anything deeper or more significant than "...because I like it," when compiling my 'Wants' list.

Thanks again for an interesting read.

Take care,
Ham.

[Alan H]

Alan,

A fascinating read, and it's always good to hear how others have been 'grabbed' by The Kilt Thing! I see and fully appreciate where you are coming from, but my own approach has been, and is, different.

Although I have good Scots blood in my veins (albeit slightly diuted with some vintage English stuff), I am not really affected by the 'Heritage' angle although I respect it. For me, the kilt is a garment, an everyday garment, and not something I wear to honour my grandfather or his grandfather. I know nothing about them anyway. Apart from my two Gunn tartan kilts (Ancient and Weathered), I have selected all my others, and continue to do so, because they appeal to me; I like the colour combinations, the complexity or the simplicity of the sett. These kilts - all my kilts - are items of clothing which I chose to buy as I might previously have bought t------s, selecting by fabric, colour or pattern - even perhaps to 'go' with a particular shirt I've had for a while.

Of course, I like to know about the origins and variations of the tartans I buy, as everyone should, but I very, very seldom am led by anything deeper or more significant than "...because I like it," when compiling my 'Wants' list.

Thanks again for an interesting read.

Take care,
Ham.

Like I said, to Mike...if we were all the same, Hamish, think how boring it would be! Carry on!