Ponderings of an ancient Scot.

[Jock Scot]

Having read with considerable interest the thread about "Irish kilts" and the valid points from every point of view has caused a germ of a thought to take root in my mind. Now this could be a dangerous thing! However, this is in no way a "you must", or, "I am a Scot, so I am a tartan expert and I can tell the rest of the world how it should be done" type of thread.These are just suggestions for a talking point. No more no less. Alright, I am known as a defender of Scottish kilts and tartans and I have made no secret of that fact, I have also made it very clear that I am very flattered when a person from abroad wishes to wear the traditional kilt, properly. I do have a problem understanding why many different clan tartans need to be owned and worn by one individual, but lets let that pass. Now get to the point Jock! We have on this website people from all over the world wanting to wear the kilt. The thread on "Irish kilts" proves that there are some(?) Irish wishing to wear the kilt and of a connection to Ireland, GREAT! Does it matter how old the "Irish kilt" is? Does it matter whether the tartan design is 5 days old, or 5 centuries old? Does it matter if the kilt is plain cloth? Well to some it does, for various valid reasons, but that should not stop an Irishman from wearing the kilt if he wishes. Now let me expand these thoughts to the rest of the world. We have Americans, Canadians, Australians, French, New Zealanders, Norwegians, Dutch and the list goes on, that read and contribute here. GREAT! Now here is the crunch Question! "Is it now time for the non Scots to START to wear their own (non Scots) tartans?"I think, probably, its already started. There are countless tartans that represent State, military unit,Country, region and so on. If there is not a tartan that you can attach yourself to, I bet there is one some where, then wear a plain one,perhaps?Invent your own? I know many with Scots connections may be choking on their coffee when they read this,( sorry about that!) and I am not suggesting that their prized clan tartan kilt should not be worn, what I am suggesting and pondering is that over time, in many decades perhaps, as time distances Scots connections, then are we going to see more and more tartans that are more appropriate to the future kilt wearers' connections? For me,who will not be around to see it, I really hope that the kilt wearers of the future, with distant, or non Scots connections, will move on to new tartans and leave the clan tartans to the Scots. Thoughts ladies and gentlemen?