Maybe I'm wrong, maybe the Kilt isn't 'just clothes'.

[auld argonian]

Oh we have those too and they are often er, ah, um, well, Americans and----------my brother! I carry a new length of leader inside my hat and a couple of extra flies in a little box in my waistcoat.

Drifting further away...I learned the benefits of leaving all the fancy-schmancy stuff at home and getting down to what I refer to as "trout bum essentials". Buddy of mine gave me a wonderful, small fly box that clips very securely to your clothing so that goes on my upper left sleeve and a few things go in the pocket in the front of the waders. So far, I haven't missed all the extra junk. Since I always catch and release, I can forget the net as well.

Best

AA

[Chirs]

Good lord man, perish the thought! Just think what the butler and footman would say if they found out!

One does not want to loose face in the eyes of the staff.

[Jock Scot]

One does not want to loose face in the eyes of the staff.

It's more serious than that! Far more more serious than any one could conceive! The sighs, the sharp intakes of breath, the disapproving looks--- withering even, the closing of the doors loudly, the tea arriving cold and, and the last straw would be that I might have to pour my own gin!

[Howard Clark]

very amusing.

[Chirs]

It's more serious than that! Far more more serious than any one could conceive! The sighs, the sharp intakes of breath, the disapproving looks--- withering even, the closing of the doors loudly, the tea arriving cold and, and the last straw would be that I might have to pour my own gin!

Tsk! Scandalous. That they would behave thusly to one so singular, in deportment and generosity, it is unthinkable.

But you may rest, good fellow, in the certain knowledge that there are those among us, though colonials and outwiths they may be, who would undertake the journey to be by your side that you need not endure these travails alone.

[tripleblessed]

Jock, I am appalled, nay outraged that such an upstanding gent as yourself
should find himself in such dire conditions! I would offer the services of the rabble outwith; if sufficient access to your whisky and gin storage could be arranged, I feel reasonably certain a formidable group might be assembled, allowing productive discussion, much sharing of deep feelings, modern behavior modification techniques, and a satisfactory resolution to your labor situation
might be achieved within a fortnight or so.

At least the rebuilding of your premises would take your mind off the rolled eyes.

[davidlpope]

If you delve into my pedigree, I have English, Norman, German, Viking, Scots, plus a few more, blood tracing through my veins. So a good mixture, in fact just like the rest of you and just like many of you, I try on occasion to remember my roots, but do I dress up as a Viking, a Norman knight, A German? No I don't. Why? Because I am a Scot!

Jock,

Sorry to be a bit late to the party, but your post put me in mind of a celebration in Scotland where folks do dress up as Vikings. See the link, below:

http://www.uphellyaa.org/gallery/procession

Perhaps one point that has not yet been raised is that American kiltwearers who attend "Highland" Games here in the US are a self-selected group who are, in large part, history/genealogy buffs. There are large numbers of Americans who bear Highland surnames who have absolutely no interest in Scots history/Highland culture and would never consider wearing a kilt. Few even know that their surnames are Scottish in origin.

Based on discussions in previous threads, I think I'm safe in saying that American kiltwearers are much more likely to be "tartan/kilt nerds" than Scots who wear the kilt. Perhaps you're just not a "Viking Nerd" Scot!

As an aside, thanks for your candor and honesty. I appreciate your opinion and your willingness to share it.

Cordially,

David

[Jock Scot]

"-------do I dress up as a Viking.-----no I don't", and I think most Scots probably don't seriously either. It is true that the Shetlands and probably Orkney too(I have to confess that I forgot them,sorry)who, in fairness are a small minority, would consider that they were more Norse than Celt.

[The Thirsty Viking]

Jock,
Perhaps you're just not a "Viking Nerd" Scot!

just to clarify....


One could be both...hypothetically, of course... right?

[MacBean]

Jock,
Perhaps one point that has not yet been raised is that American kiltwearers who attend "Highland" Games here in the US are a self-selected group who are, in large part, history/genealogy buffs. There are large numbers of Americans who bear Highland surnames who have absolutely no interest in Scots history/Highland culture and would never consider wearing a kilt. Few even know that their surnames are Scottish in origin.

I think David has an excellent point here, though I'd add that the genealogy buffing often extends to visiting Scotland, joining Clan Associations. It is a process of re-connecting to a heritage lost. There are all levels of proficiency in that effort, as is to be expected. I think Americans would like to feel more welcomed (and guided) in these tentative attempts at reconnecting, and are puzzled when their efforts are rebuffed or made fun of.

Jock, I've heard you say that Highlanders have a special relation to the kilt (or something like that). Could you expound on this a bit more perhaps? Why do you think they are protective of that and discouraging of those with ancestral connections but no longer living in Scotland?

After all, the MacBean Chief (James McBain) lives in Arizona. The Clan Chattan Chief lives in Zimbabwe (or similar place). The MacKintosh of MacKintosh lives in Singapore. Should they not dress the part on occasion either?