Changing into your kilt

[Coinneach]

I'm not aware of any dress codes on the highways of either of those states.
Bob

At least two people have now mentioned changing into a kilt at a border. My natural historical curiosity causes me to wonder about how this tradition originated.

For me it was a special event...I was leaving the Golden State fifty-m@#$ph years to the day I first arrived in it...and a good way to celebrate it.

[Stratherrick]

Morris

At least two people have now mentioned changing into a kilt at a border. My natural historical curiosity causes me to wonder about how this tradition originated.

Well, for me, my changing at the border just north of Berwick is symbolic of returning home to Alba. As you come 'round a long right-hander towards the border you can see the two border crossing pull-over lanes and the Saltire and St Goerge's flags on their poles. For the longest time, the English just had one flying with the Scots having put up three on much taller poles, now there's parity!

It reminds me of stories during the years when kilts were banned after the '45 'n' all that. On some of the islands, they used to have shacks near where the rowboats would take you over to the mainland. Guys would take off their kilts, which they'd have continued to wear despite the ban as, on many islands, there'd be nobody to enforce the law, and change into trousers. The reverse would happen once they were back home.

To me, it's like acknowledging to myself that I'm entering a land with different ways and customs, a setting myself apart from our southern neighbours. I don't do the same when going the other way for two reasons. Firstly, I'm nearly always travelling back to Northumberland late at night and keen to motor on for the final 45 minutes or so. Secondly, having charged up my Scotobatteries, a team of wild horses couldn't pull my kilt down!

So, folks, it's partly a ritual and partly acknowledgement of what we now count as a right, forgetting that some of our ancestors were denied the same privilege.

Slainte

Bruce