American in Scotland

**Prester John** · 26th February 09, 08:42 PM

I suppose, if there is ANYWHERE one should wear a kilt, Scotland would be the place!

**Jock Scot** · 27th February 09, 03:22 AM

A properly worn tartan kilt is appreciated by us all in Scotland. I am not sure that we are quite ready for the modern style of non tartan kilt though! There are one or two who are wearing them and I doubt if any comment would be made, there will be thoughts, if the modern type was worn here in the highlands, but there are places in, say, Glasgow that might raise a comment or two.

No, the kilt is not daily wear for most Scots, in fact quite the opposite and I doubt that 50% of Scots own a kilt. Make no mistake, whilst they may not own a kilt, ALL Scots consider themselves as kilt experts, even if they are not! Generally speaking, we do not understand the wearing of more than one tartan. There are exceptions, such as wearing a different tartan of the same clan, a pipe band tartan, or, your regimental tartan. So, If you were making a home here for say 6 months or more, stick with one tartan, particularly in the highlands. Nothing would ever be said, but the thought would most certainly be there; "poser", if, you were to wear different tartans.

**shawhighlander** · 27th February 09, 11:01 AM

Originally Posted by Jock Scot

So, If you were making a home here for say 6 months or more, stick with one tartan, particularly in the highlands. Nothing would ever be said, but the thought would most certainly be there; "poser", if, you were to wear different tartans.

This is actually much needed information for me, and I appreciate it.
"When in Rome, do as the Romans do". I totally agree.

Interestingly, if the 'Scots' and 'Americans' were compared to fine Scotch, I see that the Scottish would be more or less a single-malt and the Americans would be a blend. What I mean is that if you're from Scotland, perhaps you have a much better chance of a solitary traceable bloodline. We Americans are lucky if we can't find 15* or more [*exageration]. Hence the fact of why we might want to wear more than one Tartan.

Take me for instance...I have strong Scottish, German, French and English roots, however, the one that seems to be my calling card or my heart song, would be Scottish (it's in me blood). Furthermore, upon much study I have traced my bloodline to Shaw, MacIntosh, Boyd, Chattan, MacPherson, Forbes, MacDonald, and Johnstone.

As point of fact, I feel that we 'Americans' support *ALL* of our Clan relations with such passion as to be mauled by it. I, myself, hunger for any connection that I can find because it makes me feel alive and have a better understanding for why I do the things I do. Therefore, I tend to want to honor all of the Clans.

...again, I totally agree with your suggestion when in the Highlands.

ith:

**Jock Scot** · 27th February 09, 01:06 PM

Originally Posted by shawhighlander

This is actually much needed information for me, and I appreciate it.
"When in Rome, do as the Romans do". I totally agree.

Interestingly, if the 'Scots' and 'Americans' were compared to fine Scotch, I see that the Scottish would be more or less a single-malt and the Americans would be a blend. What I mean is that if you're from Scotland, perhaps you have a much better chance of a solitary traceable bloodline. We Americans are lucky if we can't find 15* or more [*exageration]. Hence the fact of why we might want to wear more than one Tartan.

Take me for instance...I have strong Scottish, German, French and English roots, however, the one that seems to be my calling card or my heart song, would be Scottish (it's in me blood). Furthermore, upon much study I have traced my bloodline to Shaw, MacIntosh, Boyd, Chattan, MacPherson, Forbes, MacDonald, and Johnstone.

As point of fact, I feel that we 'Americans' support *ALL* of our Clan relations with such passion as to be mauled by it. I, myself, hunger for any connection that I can find because it makes me feel alive and have a better understanding for why I do the things I do. Therefore, I tend to want to honor all of the Clans.

...again, I totally agree with your suggestion when in the Highlands.

ith:

Our past clan connections are there anyway, whether we choose to remember them or not is another matter. We wear the one tartan,for all sorts of reasons, but that does not mean, necessarily, for one second that the other clan connections are swept aside and forgotten.Its just that ,generally speaking, we choose to wear the one tartan. Its just our way. Oh and cheaper ,of course!

**shawhighlander** · 27th February 09, 01:17 PM

Thanks Jock,
If I'm not mistaken, the tartan was designed for identification purposes, therefore I would see why you would prefer to keep with the tradition even now. I will absolutely honor this advice when I visit my 'ancestral home' in the Highlands.

Cheers,

**Jock Scot** · 27th February 09, 01:25 PM

Originally Posted by shawhighlander

Thanks Jock,
If I'm not mistaken, the tartan was designed for identification purposes, therefore I would see why you would prefer to keep with the tradition even now. I will absolutely honor this advice when I visit my 'ancestral home' in the Highlands.

Cheers,

If you need any help with planning your trip over then, please do let me know if you think I can be of some assistance.

**shawhighlander** · 27th February 09, 01:41 PM

Originally Posted by Jock Scot

If you need any help with planning your trip over then, please do let me know if you think I can be of some assistance.

Brilliant! You bet

Always good to have a friend there. I have been crossing my fingers to make this July for The Gathering, but actually I hope to live in Scotland and tour my music from there. We'll see where the watercourse leads!

Slainte, Mate!

**Ryan Ross** · 27th February 09, 03:02 PM

Originally Posted by shawhighlander

If I'm not mistaken, the tartan was designed for identification purposes...

That's a very common misconception. Tartans were designed for fashion (with, perhaps, possible considerations made, now and then, for camoflage). Assigning tartans to clans is a pretty new idea that has really caught on.

**shawhighlander** · 27th February 09, 03:07 PM

Originally Posted by Ryan Ross

That's a very common misconception. Tartans were designed for fashion

Kiltie as charged. I stand corrected.

ith:

**Nighthawk** · 27th February 09, 06:12 PM

Originally Posted by Ryan Ross

That's a very common misconception. Tartans were designed for fashion (with, perhaps, possible considerations made, now and then, for camoflage). Assigning tartans to clans is a pretty new idea that has really caught on.

Exactly. They were regional before the 1800's. And they were only regional because the various clans living there used the natural dyes that they had on hand- and therefore used whatever happened to be most prevelent for their region! Which I also suspect may have been part of the justification for the idea of tartan as clan identifiers. BUT that's just speculation. I have no facts to back that thought up.