Happy Tartan Day!

[Coastie]

Wore my first kilt, a USAKilts LE Memorial Casual I just got on Monday out to lunch and running a few errands. I got looks and a couple questions. My mom loved it however. Looking forward to ordering another kilt this week and wearing them out more and more.

[Father Bill]

My workplace happens to be a Jewish synagogue,

What other kinds of synagogues have you found?

[Chirs]

[Chirs]

I wore my Kerr (ancient colours) yesterday. I felt so alone There was nothing, anywhere. No mention in the news (that I heard), no tartan visible anywhere we went. Got the "interesting" look from our server at lunch so I told her "Today's Tartan Day." I then got the blank look; "What's that?" I pointed to my kilt.

"Oh! I always wanted one of those!"

"I'm sorry. No. The piece of clothing is a kilt. Tartan is the pattern on the cloth."

"Oh. Would you like anything to drink?"

That conversation didn't go far.

Later, when shopping, I told the lady working there (she's always so friendly) that it was Tartan Day. "Where?" she asked, with a perfectly serious face. I didn't know what to say.

In all, rather disappointing. I'm starting to think that National Tartan Day is a specifically U.S. thing, even if it is a celebration of the Scots. So, here's a question to the rabble not in North America: is Tartan Day acknowledged anywhere else?

[Father Bill]

I'm starting to think that National Tartan Day is a specifically U.S. thing, even if it is a celebration of the Scots. So, here's a question to the rabble not in North America: is Tartan Day acknowledged anywhere else?

I think it's one of those things that may grow slowly - it's only thirty years old and these things do take time. I have observed that the kilt and tartan in general were much better known in the 50s (I'm an old guy) just after the war when Scottish regiments were frequently seen on parade. Since that time it has gradually petered out. I guess we need to help it "peter in."

Only North America has the levels and range of diversity in their population. Toronto, (Ontario Canada) has for example, been identified by some U.N. agency or another as the world's most culturally diverse city. Further, only North America is so devoid of its own "national dress" unless you include hockey jersies for Canada, and for the U.S.... ?

This year, the CBC, the Canadian national broadcaster mentioned tartan day several times on morning radio, and other media outlets are starting to notice because it's interesting. They sell advertising based on listeners, and listeners will listen to whatever is interesting, so we have that on our side.

I have faith that given encouragement and time, the tartan will rise!

[Dale-of-Cedars]

Ups and downs...

Waiting at a bus stop on the way home from work (sunny and windy, but not kilt-raisingly so, just flipping the front apron about) with heavy traffic going past, there was a shout from the open passenger window of a passing car that I couldn't make out but suspected might be pejorative. I was wrong as he followed up with a raised fist out the window and another shout of "Scottish, yeah!" as they passed.

Later attended the opening night of a play, still kilted, and was asked during intermission by a gentleman with a Scots accent what clan the tartan I was wearing was from. I responded it was a non-clan tartan called Auld Scotland. He seemed rather bemused, said that he was a MacKenzie, and went back to tell his wife "It's a non-clan tartan." I felt a little subdued by the exchange, (being 3 generations removed from my Scottish forebears, being questioned by a 1st generation Scot ) I guess because I haven't had to explain my reasons for kilting before, and that by not wearing my Crawford kilt I'd removed the easy fallback explanation, "It's me clan tartan!."

Still and all, a good day.

[Jock Scot]

Later attended the opening night of a play, still kilted, and was asked during intermission by a gentleman with a Scots accent what clan the tartan I was wearing was from. I responded it was a non-clan tartan called Auld Scotland. He seemed rather bemused, said that he was a MacKenzie, and went back to tell his wife "It's a non-clan tartan." I felt a little subdued by the exchange, (being 3 generations removed from my Scottish forebears, being questioned by a 1st generation Scot ) I guess because I haven't had to explain my reasons for kilting before, and that by not wearing my Crawford kilt I'd removed the easy fallback explanation, "It's me clan tartan!."

Still and all, a good day.

I am sorry this incident " subdued" you and the incident may have been rather more tactfully dealt with by the "first generation Scot", but the thought processes are not uncommon(understatement, please note) over here. On the whole many of us do not understand fashion and district tartans and cannot understand why a Clan tartan is not being worn. I am delighted that it did not spoil your day though.

Without being too boring, I have spent many hours on this website, rather unsuccessfully it seems, pointing this out.

[Dale-of-Cedars]

I am sorry this incident " subdued" you and the incident may have been rather more tactfully dealt with by the "first generation Scot", but the thought processes are not uncommon(understatement, please note) over here. On the whole many of us do not understand fashion and district tartans and cannot understand why a Clan tartan is not being worn. I am delighted that it did not spoil your day though.

Without being too boring, I have spent many hours on this website, rather unsuccessfully it seems, pointing this out.

By no means was he untactful, I just thought I caught some unspoken "Well what is he wearing it for then?" puzzlement as he spoke to his wife.
But I must thank you, as your previous posts on this point allowed me to put the encounter in its proper context and move on. If anything it will make me wear my Crawford more often.

[Fitzy]

I think it's one of those things that may grow slowly - it's only thirty years old and these things do take time. I have observed that the kilt and tartan in general were much better known in the 50s (I'm an old guy) just after the war when Scottish regiments were frequently seen on parade. Since that time it has gradually petered out. I guess we need to help it "peter in."

Only North America has the levels and range of diversity in their population. Toronto, (Ontario Canada) has for example, been identified by some U.N. agency or another as the world's most culturally diverse city. Further, only North America is so devoid of its own "national dress" unless you include hockey jersies for Canada, and for the U.S.... ?

This year, the CBC, the Canadian national broadcaster mentioned tartan day several times on morning radio, and other media outlets are starting to notice because it's interesting. They sell advertising based on listeners, and listeners will listen to whatever is interesting, so we have that on our side.

I have faith that given encouragement and time, the tartan will rise!

I got an e-mail yesterday from one of my daughters saying she heard about it being Tartan day on the NY City TV program, 'Good Morning America'.

That morning TV show is syndicated around the country.

Every little bit helps !!!

Paul