I'm amazed at you people

[Phil]

...as most Scots---those from the lowlands ----have no culture of kilt-wearing.

I am not sure it is correct to make such a sweeping generalisation, Jock. My wife's grandfather fought, kilted, at Gallipoli and the Somme with the KOSB. From what he said, however, the thing just soaked up water in the trenches and became very heavy and uncomfortable to wear. Not at all practical for the conditions and he would have much preferred trousers. I would agree, however, that kilt-wearing on a regular basis has not been commonplace in the lowlands. Many scouts wore the kilt when I was younger but it was less usual then to wear it to weddings and social gatherings. So saying, I have not noticed many, in fact I cannot recall having seen any kilted in the highlands either. You are obviously the rare exception in that respect.

[McElmurry]

Minor point, perhaps, but I would postulate that "western wear" has become firmly established with a well-defined demographic

When you call me that...smile.

[Jock Scot]

Oh come on Phil stop splitting hairs!

As about 3.5 million out the total of 5 million or so Scots live below the Highland Line(without splitting any more hairs) then MOST is as accurate as I can get without going into rather boring detail. We can argue the finer points until the cows come home and many of which we will agree, but really, I am happy to stand by what I have said and the point that I am making still is, that the lowlands(the majority) of Scotland has mostly a non kilt wearing culture.

[Phil]

Oh come on Phil stop splitting hairs!

If there are hairs to be split, Jock, then I'm your man. I doubt if there was much general culture of kilt-wearing anywhere in Scotland until fairly recently. I know it was always considered a Scottish icon and still adhered to by a certain section of society who (usually) passed their kilts down the generations but generally it was looked upon as a bit outdated, not to mention expensive, and shunned by many, both in the highlands and lowlands. It really only experienced a general resurgence as a statement of Scottish identity in retaliation for the perceived subsumation of this identity in the 1980's and 90's. I suppose that partly explains why there are now more giant pandas in Scotland than Tory MP's.

[David Thorpe]

When you call me that...smile.

Let me guess.... San Fernando Valley?

[Jock Scot]

Phil.

As we know, there are rules about politics on this website and even if there weren't, I learnt a long time ago that discussing politics is, on the whole, a fruitless pastime by the time we get to "our" age. Also, I have to admit that I know little about pandas either!

[bodhran4me]

Most of us will be aware of how some hobby or other can turn into an obsession ... And they will then discuss these items ad infinitum to anyone prepared to listen and, worse still, bore the pants off those who really aren't interested!

It is too late to bore the pants off most here, this is a Kilt Forum !

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

I suppose that partly explains why there are now more giant pandas in Scotland than Tory MP's.

I have just sprayed tea all over my desk...

[McElmurry]

Let me guess.... San Fernando Valley?

Ouch, that stung a little. Actually Idaho and Utah although I never lived or worked on a ranch. I have ridden, but not well and I drove combine during my college years. I did ride in one rodeo in my youth. I can still do a bit of western swing, not to be confused with west coast swing. Oh, and I used chewing tobacco for about two weeks when I was ten, then my mom got a hold of me and put a stop to that.

So overall I would say I have tenuous connections to western wear through my involvement in agriculture and growing up in the intermountain west but you won't see me sporting a dinner plate-size belt buckle.

[tundramanq]

But the western vest looks quite good with a kilt...

Am really enjoying reading Jock and Phil gnaw at each others ankles.
I wonder if Richard has got his answers yet?