Mall question: Are You Scottish?

[mkmound]

. . .
While taking one of my daily walks in the park I got invited to a company picnic because I was wearing a Carmel Utilikilt Workman's. I no longer work, and did not even work for the company that was having the picnic. It all started because of the kilt not being a tartan, and it having pockets. Again - it was associated with Scotland. Great conversation, great food, and I could have had all the beer I wanted to drink (had to settle for iced tea - my medications and alcohol don't like each other). When I had to leave, I was sent on my way with a drink container full of iced tea, and the words "the Scots and Irish got it right" even though they knew by then that my kilt was American made - nothing wrong with that - and thank goodness for that inch or so of float in the Utilikilt waist band - I needed it.

Darrell

Darrell, that's a great story! Thanks for sharing it with us!

[JackK]

A while back I wore my tan UK to a community theater in Holland, MI - a very conservative town. At intermission I was asked the 'are you Scottish' question by a very nice elderly (getting to the point in life that I better not say old any more) lady, I told her about the same thing that you did, it being a Utilikilt from Seattle. She told friends across the theater very loadly - ' no he's not, he's from Seattle' to which one of the others said 'that explains it'. What ever that means. I thought the lady I was with was going to blow her drink she was laughing so hard, and she hated my kilts.

Jack

[corbinj]

I get the scottish question once or twice a week. I think it is because we have such large highland games around here (denver). I myself am not Scottish, so I respond "no I am not Scotch, I'm a scandinavian, My people put the red hair in the scots, and we left our genes there too.." Seriously though, tartans are very Scot, the kilt however celebrates variants all over the world. It has just been too many generations in pants to remember. I think there is a kilt rebellion going on. I fight it out with my wife alot. freedom is not free! kilt on!

[slohairt]

I get this question frequently, though just as often asked if I am Irish; which I am (by birth, ancestry, and citizenship). I was born in Co. Donegal and my family moved to Canada when I was four. However, my paternal grandmother is a Graham from Scotland so I am of 1/4 quarter Scottish descent. Incidentally, the Graham of Montrose tartan is my all-time favourite of the tartans I am "entitled" to wear!
My wife wears tartan kilted skirts I have made her though these are typically Welsh tartans as she is half-Welsh and half-Mik'Maq (Native Canadian). People sometimes ask her if she's Scottish as well.

Is mise le meas,

Seán Liosliath Ó hAirt

[Andrew Breecher]

I'm often asked if I'm Scottish. I say, "Yes, but not by birth," and watch their reactions.

Andrew.

[Barry]

Quite coincidentally, today a neighbour lady that I know fairly well asked me what my Scottish connections were. I was opening the drive gates whilst wearing a Black Watch kilt. I explained that the links were very tenuous and were waaaay back. I was about to explain that I really wear a kilt for comfort, when the postman arrived with a cheery cry of "Where's yer bagpipes then?" (I wonder if he thought of that all by himself ;) ). I retorted with "Put those 'orrible legs away" (He was in shorts), and alas missed further chat with my neighbour. There will be other opportunities tho' as she and others in the street are well used to seeing me in various of my kilts. I get no hassle here, just the odd risible comment.

And yes Ham we English are reserved. I have to say that now that I am much older the reserve is breaking down, much to my wife's disgust. I'm finding it great fun to talk to strangers. It just needs and 'primer' to start the dialogue, and what better way than by wearing a plaid skirt, ooops sorry KILT!!
Seriously tho', the mental processes that I went thru when I became a kiltee, I believe gave me more confidence in myself and made me 'walk tall' and be less anxious about encounters with strangers.

Slainte!