The Kilt Kops

[Dale Seago]

When most refer to highland tradition they are thinking of the Victorian Walter Scott romaticized version. My idea of it goes much farther back than that, I remember my grandfather toasting "the wee gentleman in velvet." The last ancestor of mine that left Scotland during the clearances, landed in Canada and worked as a logger. Different branches of the family tree left at different times some before the 45' some after but all were Jacobites. My mother has traced our roots to Flodden and beyond. That is the heritage I speak of, not white hose is a no no, or your kilt is too short. I could care less if a first or second generation Scot say I have no right to wear the kilt or that it should not be worn out of Scotland. I have had a drink or two with Vicount Dunrossil right here in Texas and he was kilted and thought nothing of me being kilted. Scots are terse, blunt, gruff, grumpy, and opinionated. Native Scots may not like this "diaspora" that has spread worldwide. I respect their (Native Scots) opinion and I let it influence my actions only to the point that I try to represent my heritage in what I consider a respectful manner.

Pretty much how I see it.

I do find pretty much everyone's views valuable, even when I disagree with them (or choose to consciously disregard them), as they help to inform my own. I have an actual and sincere interest in both contemporary Scottish custom and the evolutionary process which has brought it to what it is today.

When you get right down to it, though, if someone doesn't like my wearing a kilt, or the way I wear a kilt, it really doesn't bother me; sort of rolls off like water off a duck's back.

This tag line I created for another forum is very much tongue-in-cheek, partly because of its literal truth:

“I think it's easier to see others as simply human beings like yourself, without being frightened/intolerant of them and their differences (religious, cultural, sexual, whatever), when you know you can cripple or kill them before they have a clue what just happened. It enables you to be more sensitive, closer to being able to embrace all of humanity.”

[Jock Scot]

Third, my original point was that the Highlanders' disapproval of the wearing of the kilt by any but a Highlander (which position I have seen repeatedly held in this forum) was a hurtful idea to the world-wide Scottish diaspora. That is true. When I first came to understand my Scottish ancestry, I thought that the wearing of the kilt was a great way to honor my ancestors. And when I first came to XMTS, I thought that I would find Scots and Scots descendants who would welcome those who wanted to honor their heritage. I have bucked the idea that I am not worthy of wearing my ancestors tartan for these many months. I was naive.

Between my post of yesterday and today, I have changed my tune. Only Highlanders currently living in Scotland or first generation offspring of full-bred Highlanders, but living outwith Scotland have a right to wear the clan tartan of their father's name. All others are poseurs playing at being Scot.

This change has come because of a conversation I had this evening with a gentleman residing in Texas, but whose parents live in Aberdeen. He holds essentially the exact same views as Jock Scot, and he assured me that virtually all Highlanders hold the view that the so-called diaspora are far removed from Scotland and that it is a mockery of Highlandism to see an outlander in the kilt. He said other things, but that was the essence.

So, I give. I'm not a Highlander. I'm a Texan. I will probably wear the kilt at my family reunion, and at the occasional Celtic Festival, but otherwise, I am putting it up. Also, I will visit this forum less often.

Well, personally Jack, I hope you stay with us.

Well so far, I have only made one post on this thread and that was only a short and mildly witty dig at one of the contributors on this thread. I know, I have waded through all the posts to check.

I have tried to keep out of this thread, but as my name is now being bandied about instead of just being hinted at , I think I can now chip in. From all the posts that I have read no one is, thankfully, calling me a "kilt cop" and if that is what people thought I was I would leave this website forthwith.

However, I and others, do voice some inconvenient "truths" from time to time and I voice them not to hurt people's feelings, although I realise full well that I might, but to point out that what people on this website, usually outwith Scotland, might think is a general view of things is not, well, quite so general as they might think.

If we take Irish Jack's reaction to what he was told a few hours ago as an example, why did it take so long for the message to get through? He admits that he has heard it voiced often enough here. I suspect he, like many of us, have had difficulty in absorbing another point of view, particularly if it runs contrary to firmly held preconceived ideas, but that is all. Some Scots, like me, have difficulty in understanding where most of you chaps are coming from too, but that does not make any of us "kilt cops", or even "Kilt rebels".

I have been on this website for about 4 years and it is a rare event for some one to be told what is right, correct, wrong, incorrect, in a dictatorial fashion. However those terms are used to describe a point because those are the ONLY suitable words that can be used( there are no other) in that situation. We are not talking about rules because there are none with civilian kilt attire, there are however, conventions, traditions, accepted practice and basic aesthetics to consider sympathetically though. However, many on the receiving end of some asked for advice, that was not to their liking, have been disappointed to say the least, that their longed for and not inexpensive piece of kilt attire is not suitable for the event that they are wanting to attend.

Now, delivering not good news is never an easy task and we must not forget that often over a hundred people might read a thread and they will all form an opinion of the assorted advice that is given. So yes, honest advice is often unpopular, but that does not make the person giving the advice a "kilt cop", I do concede that it does depend a lot on how that advice is delivered though. Personally, I do not believe that "kilt cops" exist on this website, however I do believe that some members need to understand that on occasion the "other point of view" may in fact be the right one, or at least a valid opinion, and that can on occasion be exceedingly disappointing for them. Just like it is for Irish Jack.

[Dale Seago]

Another excellent clarification, Jock. Many thanks!

[M. A. C. Newsome]

Between my post of yesterday and today, I have changed my tune. Only Highlanders currently living in Scotland or first generation offspring of full-bred Highlanders, but living outwith Scotland have a right to wear the clan tartan of their father's name. All others are poseurs playing at being Scot.

This change has come because of a conversation I had this evening with a gentleman residing in Texas, but whose parents live in Aberdeen. He holds essentially the exact same views as Jock Scot, and he assured me that virtually all Highlanders hold the view that the so-called diaspora are far removed from Scotland and that it is a mockery of Highlandism to see an outlander in the kilt. He said other things, but that was the essence.

So, I give. I'm not a Highlander. I'm a Texan. I will probably wear the kilt at my family reunion, and at the occasional Celtic Festival, but otherwise, I am putting it up. Also, I will visit this forum less often.

Well that's really sad and I hope you change your mind.

I may be pointing out the obvious, but this one man can no more speak for "all Highlanders" than you can speak for "all Texans." For every native Highland Scot he can find that doesn't think anyone born outside of the Highlands should wear the kilt, I could find one who disagrees.

I have met so many native born Scots over the years who have rejoiced to see the Scottish kilt being worn by so many over here in America, to see their country's heritage honored and celebrated, that I know your friend's statement that all Highlanders think the way he does is not true. (Incidentally I have only met a small handful of native Scot who have had similar opinions to his).

Moreover, I'll also bring up this point -- all those companies out there who weave tartan maker, who make kilts, who make sporrans, who make kilt hose, who make Highland jackets, etc... Most of their business is exports out of the UK, and most of that to the North American market. And the industry is struggling.

If they are struggling to stay afloat now, shipping to a world-wide market, can you imagine what their situation would be like if they only sold in the Highlands?

So if your friend had his wish, the Highland garb he values so highly would be unavailable to anyone (native born or not), or only available at a very high cost. I don't know anyone who wants to see that come to pass.

[Jock Scot]

Matt, you are quite correct that the fellow Jack met does not speak for the Highlands any more than I do, but it does demonstrate that that "school of thought" does exist. As do others of course.

The economic argument is powerful and correct, but how many turkeys vote for Christmas? If I were a tartan maker, etc., in Scotland looking at my dwindling profit margin in an incredibly difficult financial climate, would I, (would you?) tell my largest customer---America(?)-- that I would prefer that only the Scots should wear the kilt? I respectfully think not.

In fact and of course, tartan etc., has been traded around the world for a couple of centuries so whatever reservations the tartan mill proprietors, etc., may have had are now well hidden and I doubt that any one will really know what they may, or may not think and will let the bottom line of their accounts do the talking for them.

[Cowher]

Maybe I shouldn't say this. Maybe this is a passing thought that I will disagree with in a few hours. But I'm going to put it out there to see if a few others feel the same.

When I found this forum I learned about different styles of kilts. When I joined I formed my style and I made a few friends. Then I hit a lump.
This beast lifted his head. It was the beast of entitlement.
From there on this forum to me changed. Maybe I dug too deep. Maybe I should have left back in March or April. If I could do it all again I would find how I would like to dress in my kilt maybe collect pics of those who would serve as a example of how I would like to look and I would then RUN! I would take xmts off my bookmark list and I would be happy in my ignorance. I would dress in MY style and I would be happy doing it.

This forum has built me up and burned me down all in one year.

Its like a woman. If you find one you love you marry her. Then you stop looking. If you keep looking at other girls you'll lose what you could have been happy with.

[Peter Crowe]

Between my post of yesterday and today, I have changed my tune. Only Highlanders currently living in Scotland or first generation offspring of full-bred Highlanders, but living outwith Scotland have a right to wear the clan tartan of their father's name. All others are poseurs playing at being Scot.

This change has come because of a conversation I had this evening with a gentleman residing in Texas, but whose parents live in Aberdeen. He holds essentially the exact same views as Jock Scot, and he assured me that virtually all Highlanders hold the view that the so-called diaspora are far removed from Scotland and that it is a mockery of Highlandism to see an outlander in the kilt. He said other things, but that was the essence.

So, I give. I'm not a Highlander. I'm a Texan. I will probably wear the kilt at my family reunion, and at the occasional Celtic Festival, but otherwise, I am putting it up. Also, I will visit this forum less often.

Speaking as a native born Scot, albeit now living in the US, and not by any definition a Highlandman (although I have Highland, Lowland, and Border Scots among my antecedent family), I do not for one minute think that you have no right to wear your kilt to honour your heritage, or just because you like to.

Your gentleman who told you that (whose parents come from Aberdeen) if he in fact comes from the Granite city himself is not strictly speaking a Highlandman either.

Let me elaborate; My Granny's (father's mother's) family all came from Macduff (Doune) in Banffshire (north-west of Aberdeen) for many generations at least as far back as the 18th century and many of the men-folk wore the kilt. At least two from this branch of my family I know of served in the Gordon Highlanders, My great-Uncle George was an enlisted man with the original 51st Division who managed to evade capture by the Germans at St. Valery and was evacuated from Dunkirk in the early part of WW II (later on he was transferred to the RASC and captured at the Fall of Singapore in February 1942) and my great-great Uncle (my Great-Grandfather's younger brother) Willie (Major William Lyall, MC, MA) as a commissioned officer during WW I. According to my late Granny none of them considered themselves Highlanders (in the customary meaning of that term). I misdoubt if very many people would deny their right to wear a kilt.

Do not feel unwelcome here because of some peoples' opinion. It is after all only an opinion and did not descend from God to Moses on a tablet of stone.

[AN COIGREACH ALBANNACH]

The kilt always has been special to the highlanders of scotland,and the highlanders special to the kilt.And I for one fervently hope that it will ever be so.

But like it or not in many ways over the last more than 200 years it has slowley emerged as something else.The fighting regiments that were sent to the far flung corners of the brittish empire partly did it,and highlanders emmigrating as civilians to those far distant corners helped it along with their stories of clan,the pipers and tartans that they took along.Gradually the kilt has grown into a symbol of not only the highlands but of Scotland itself.Writers like sir Walter Scott cemented it on the course that brings it where it is today.Something that is now tied up with so many different things for many different folk,but to Scots or their kin it always leads back to a meaning of connection with the Scottish identity.

Is it surprising that highlanders like yourself,Jock Scot,who see all of this,would still maintain that,to you,the kilt should be special to the highlander?Even in this day and age?To me I think not.To anybody who can start to get a small understanding of how the highlander sees himself,it's not only not surprising,it's completely logical.I salute you and your kind,Jock,for holding onto the old feelings even in this world which would like to run all the colours and flavours together untill there is just a big,boring bland mess of confusion.
Dougie MacLean sings of holding out on the frayed edge of time.Keep holding out.I admire it.

[Phil]

It does upset me when this sort of “dog in the manger” rubbish raises its ugly head here from time to time. My wife’s grandfather served in the King’s Own Scottish Borderers at Gallipoli , the Somme and elsewhere in the 1914-18 war and wore a kilt through all his time in the trenches there. He was about as far away from being a true “highlander” in the, supposedly, accepted form as anyone here (apart from one or two notable exceptions) but no-one questioned his entitlement to be wearing a kilt. Provided they are not required to wear a particular uniform anyone is perfectly entitled to dress in any way that they see fit and, as long as they are not causing offence in some way, no-one has any business to say otherwise.
I am sorry that Irish Jack O'Brian and others have felt themselves ostracised from kilt-wearing and hope that they will discover that there are many more native Scots (and others) who are only to glad to see the kilt being worn than the one or two curmudgeons they have encountered

[CMcG]

Is it possible that some people doubt their right to wear the kilt because, at the root of it, they are suffering from an internal lack of conviction?

Similarly, are some people perceiving kilt police where there are only strong opinions and constructive criticism?

I understand that when one is new to kilts, one can be a bit hesitant or unsure. Many people come to Xmarks looking for support and guidance. Fundamentally though, and especially for people apart from Highlanders in the Scottish Highlands, one needs to have a bit of a thick skin in order to wear the kilt. Random people out and about tend to be much, much worse than Xmarkers...

Nobody on Xmarks has ever made me question my entitlement to wear the kilt. I've definitely been provoked to think through my own reasons for wearing it and also to understand my relationship to traditional Highland attire.

I've received my fair share of blunt comments from people in regards to pictures that I've posted... and I'm eternally grateful for the way they've helped me reflect on my own kilt wearing!