Questioning thoughts

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

I don't disagree with much of what Jeff has posted, except that he seems to have the perception that the 8-yard "tank" isn't suited to the rigors of everyday life. Rocky compared a kilt (albeit somewhat indirectly) to a Rolls-Royce and I think that comparison brilliantly shows the difference in mind set between those who say "save up and buy a good kilt" and that of the "buy cheap" crowd (of which Rocky is most certainly not a member).

As a Rolls-Royce/Bentley owner for more than 40 years I can tell you that the vast majority of us who own and drive what others call "The Best Car In The World" tend to view them, first and foremost, as transportation. I have towed cars with my Bentleys, hauled the dogs to a shoot, driven down dirt roads, forded streams, and handed the keys to parking lot attendants. For 15 years the car in my avatar was my only car... eventually it was replaced with a pre-war Rolls-Royce, which was driven in exactly the same manner, until I sold it when I moved to the USA three years ago.

When I bought my first new kilt (in 1965!) there was no option-- you bought a "tank". I wore that kilt more or less continuously for almost 10 years. During that time I hiked, camped, shot, danced, got stocious drunk on more than one occasion, and pub crawled my way through university, launched my career, and probably attended more tartan balls than I can remember. In short, I treated that kilt no differently than any other garment in my wardrobe.

I think what's overlooked is the tendency of some people to regard a traditional kilt as "precious" when, in fact, there is a very good reason that they have been nick-named "tanks". Proof of that is the fact that I still have my first "new" kilt and 45 years on I wouldn't hesitate to wear it to a tartan ball-- if I still had a 30 inch waist!

And yes, I'd go to the ball in my old Bentley.