Theory and practice.

[Phil]

I've always wondered at that (hoisting the saltire beneath the Union Jack), given that the entire field of the Union Jack is the saltire of Scotland. I have always assumed it had to do with a reluctance to erect a second flag pole (probably due to costs and planning issues), or ignorance of the fact that in Scotland the saltire may be flown instead of the Union Jack.

I did ask at Stirling Castle why the Union Jack was flying instead of the Saltire but just got a brush-off answer about it coming under the "Crown". If you visit Edinburgh you will see the same at the castle here, for a similar reason. Similarly other buildings, while they may fly a Saltire, always have it below the Union Jack, denoting a subordinate importance for that flag. You can imagine how that goes down here.

[CoreyMacLeod]

If you visit Edinburgh you will see the same at the castle here, for a similar reason. Similarly other buildings, while they may fly a Saltire, always have it below the Union Jack, denoting a subordinate importance for that flag.

That's a crock. No friggin way. That makes me angry.

[Highland Logan]

That's a crock. No friggin way. That makes me angry.

Hey, South Carolina, remember what country you really live in. Best leave the local politics to the locals. That's what gets threads closed.

Frank

[Phil]

That's a crock. No friggin way. That makes me angry.

Don't let this thread go down a negative route but it may help you to understand why we in Scotland sometimes feel we are the poor relations.

[pdcorlis]

Yes please - back to theory and practice - please. This has been a very informative and (IMHO) productive thread, I'd hate to see it unravel unnecessarily if at all possible.

[JSFMACLJR]

I did ask at Stirling Castle why the Union Jack was flying instead of the Saltire but just got a brush-off answer about it coming under the "Crown". If you visit Edinburgh you will see the same at the castle here, for a similar reason. Similarly other buildings, while they may fly a Saltire, always have it below the Union Jack, denoting a subordinate importance for that flag. You can imagine how that goes down here.

But surely Stirling Castle is in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, no?

[O'Callaghan]

As a Sassenach of Irish descent, which would be the best kilt for me to wear in Scotland?

1) Irish saffron 8yd kilt, slightly too long;
2) Irish green casual kilt, very lightweight;
3) Plain black 8yd kilt, made to measure;
4) Irish tartan casual kilt, choice of two, but both with velcro instead of straps and both slightly too long;
5) A pair of jeans!

I'm leaning towards choice number 5!

None of the above are real wool. OTOH, none of them are box pleated either. I'm also guessing that as someone originally from South of the border I wouldn't be given much latitude for ignorance (unlike, perhaps, an American).

Or, would my best advice be to purchase another 8yd kilt with at least the length correct to measure and in some other non-Scottish tartan sett that the wags won't be able to name?

[Bruno]

But surely Stirling Castle is in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, no?

Do not go down that road it will get this thread closed. Never ask Scottish opinions on that question and expect not to get a political argument going.

We actually want to keep this post going rather than locking it please lets stay on topic.

[Bruno]

As a Sassenach of Irish descent, which would be the best kilt for me to wear in Scotland?

1) Irish saffron 8yd kilt, slightly too long;
2) Irish green casual kilt, very lightweight;
3) Plain black 8yd kilt, made to measure;
4) Irish tartan casual kilt, choice of two, but both with velcro instead of straps and both slightly too long;
5) A pair of jeans!

I'm leaning towards choice number 5!

None of the above are real wool. OTOH, none of them are box pleated either. I'm also guessing that as someone originally from South of the border I wouldn't be given much latitude for ignorance (unlike, perhaps, an American).

Or, would my best advice be to purchase another 8yd kilt with at least the length correct to measure and in some other non-Scottish tartan sett that the wags won't be able to name?

I am of both Scottish and Irish family and have kilts in Wallace and Irish National. The Irish national can get you in trouble with some Rangers fans (many by ignorance or near sighted appear not to tell the difference)

Personally if me I would get a new 8 yard, Irish county. This gets well received if recognised, as being a bit of Gael mutual respect. (be sure to have an answer for why you wear it like my family were Irish farmers from Munster which were forced out during the Potato famine or whatever.) If you have a Scottish link in any way go with a clan tartan. If in doubt go with No. 5

[ziggy]

I am have come into this late (even though it's a recent thread) and well, I haven't read it all, it's really long! But here my grasp on this.

I studied in philosophy, and one of the big things you learn to do when studying that seriously is understand your perspective on a subject, and then be "disinterested" in it...meaning, no person interests.... but here I am more interested in the perspectives aspect.

Take a veteran from world war II.... in the trenches, hearing bullets fly, etc etc.... then take a WWII historian..... same stroy, in theory, but they'd both give a compeletly different account of this "same story" and there'd be differing focal points....

Basically Jock is the veteran, an old highlander, lives what we have read about to a degree, has seen alot of scottish dress for what it really is where he lives, where the dress was born.... where as many of us just read about, quote history books and facts.....same story....very different accounts (in many cases)

Just learn to take things in a context. Personally I like having Jock around, because somethings you just can't read and get a good appreciation for in a history book. That's why I fully intend to go to Scotland hopefully leave with an appreciation of what I might mean to be scottish...i can't learn that any other way than by going.

In the sense of wearing kilts "untraditionally" ....it's not wrong... but you're breaking from a tradition, and that is stronger than many people give it credit for.