Forum Thoughts

[Robbie]

Aw shucks - I'm all embarrassed now!

All I was trying to say when I started this off was what a great site I think this is, and why, and to try to explain to others "where I'm coming from" so that they don't need to wonder what on earth I'm rabbitting on about.

Possibly a good illustration of this is Rhino's comment that he doesn't actually care whether his kit pin is 2" in and 3" up or stuck between his eyes - well, actually I care (probably too much!) and I would say the general view of the Scots is that we're not really concerned about WHO wears the kilt, it's HOW it's worn that matters to us.

So if I reply to a post or start a new thread, what I'm actually trying to do is say "Look, this is how we in Scotland do it. Try it out and if you like it use it and if you don't, don't" (being all the time convinced that if you do try it our way you will prefer it!).

I cannot think of a better way to end than by "stealing" the words of another from a post on the 8th March - "I feel very comfortable when logged on here. I know that every one shares the same philosophy. I know there will be no nasty surprises."

[bubba]

Robbie, I do agree with you about this forum. It's populated by gentlemen in the true sense of the word which is what makes it what it is. The exchange of information and viewpoints is a very broadening experience

[wolfgang]

As a Scot, what do You think about Amerikilt or Utilikilt or other kilted skirts.

No nasty surprises, please ;)

Wolfgang

[al' Sporrano]

I cannot think of a better way to end than by "stealing" the words of another from a post on the 8th March - "I feel very comfortable when logged on here. I know that every one shares the same philosophy. I know there will be no nasty surprises."

Hey that was me!! I've been 'quoted'!

Al'

[Rhino]

[Rob wrote 'Rhino's comment that he doesn't actually care whether his kilt pin is 2" in and 3" up or stuck between his eyes- well I care (probably too much).']

Hi Rob,
please be assured no offense was intended, my point was that there needs to be people like you who know about such things, and there's room for people like me who are a little laid back (read that as scruffy).
Your input is very useful and who knows you may even convert a scruffbag like me with a kilt pin in his forehead, now that would be something to brag about.
Cheers Rhino
PS Rob you can't care too much

[Rhino]

My apologies ROBBIE not Rob. Blame 2 kids blathering down my ear while I'm trying to type one fingered.
Cheers Rhino

[Hamish]

Hi Robbie,

I believe you and I know each other well enough, but for the benefit of others who do not know us, I should like to throw in my fivepennyworth.

I am a 67 year old part-Scot, part Englishman, who has been wearing the kilt for some 53 years. For almost five years I have been wearing them every day - I have no trousers.

The most important thing is, I believe, to have a solid and unshakeable respect for The Kilt. On formal and semi-formal occasions it should be worn correctly and as tradition (whatever that might be) dictates. However, the kilt is not a 'costume'; it is not a museum piece, and it must be allowed to evolve - just as long as the respect is maintained.

The kilt is adaptable. As we know, it can be the centrepiece of the grandest and most impressive formal attire a man can wear. It can, and should in my opinion, also be worn very simply and casually indeed - according to circumstances and events.

I firmly believe too, that The Kilt does not have to be restricted to traditional tartan fabrics, although they will always be the strength, the heart and soul of The Kilt. Naturally, I am proud to wear my own Clan tartan - Gunn - in both Ancient and Weathered colours, as I am other tartans I like or admire. With equal pride, I wear kilts and, indeed, kilted suits, tailored by highly skilled kiltmakers in Edinburgh, in an assortment of plain colour woollen fabrics, pinstripe suiting, tweeds and imitation leather. All of these, traditional or contemporary, I treat with the greatest respect at all times.

Yes, when dressed casually, I will roll down my kilt hose and put on heavy boots; I will wear plain T-shirts, Polo shirts and leather jackets. I will even leave off my sporrans if I have other means of carrying the smaller items I need with me. None of this can be said to be showing a lack of respect for the kilt itself, although my forefathers might never have dared to go this far.

This is evolution, and I will urge any dyed-in-the-wool traditionalist to try to convince me that it is wrong to move forward in this way.

As for the entirely new style of 'kilt' (Utilikilts, Amerikilts, Savannah Kilts and their like) - they certainly have their place and are bringing the comfort of kilt-wearing to thousands of men who either cannot afford the traditional kilt, or who have no desire to wear Scottish National Dress. I personally wish that they were not called "kilts", because, in essence, they bear little resemblance to our kilt. Nevertheless, I am happy to support these companies and to wear their products independently of any Celtic connection.

[Robbie]

Hi Al

I thought you might recognise it was you I quoted - I was actually being slightly mischievous since I thought the views in your previous post were not entirely in accordance with the one I quoted, so to avoid the possibility of public embarrassment I refrained from actually naming you as the originator!

Re the possibility of running out of topics - so far I've posted 30 something times and have only majored on 5/8yd kilts and kilt pins. Still got hats, jackets, shirts, ties, belts, sporrans, socks, shoes and "underneath" to go!!

Still running up and down the Waverley Steps every time you go to Edinburgh?

Also my apologies to Rhino - I didn't mean to single him out for special attention but I was looking for a quick example of how we view things differently over here and his post came at a very convenient time!

[Robbie]

Hi Ham

Actually, I'm not quite sure where you're coming from on this as what you say generally agrees with what I've said in this or other topics.

However, I do get the impression that I'm being classed as a "dyed-in-the-wool traditionalist", and if the definition of this is someone who is Scottish, has been brought up in kilts since childhood, has worn only kilts for over 40years since primary school and is generally only concerned with maintaining the respect the traditional Scottish wool tartan kilt has achieved worldwide then yes, I fit that description.

I have worn the kilt casually in just about any combination imaginable from just the kilt as the only item of clothing upwards, and like everyone else I wear it with T-shirts, polo shirts, football/rugby tops, pullovers, jerkins, anoraks, fleeces, socks up, socks down, no socks, trainers, shoes, boots, sporran, no sporran, belt pouch, bum bag, belt, no belt (although obviously not all at the same time!)

However, I do believe that when the kilt is worn when "dressing-up" for daywear and semi-formal or formal occasions then it should be worn "correctly", and my objections arise where it is not being treated with the proper respect either by the wear-what-you-want as-you-want culture or by those who say "It looks right to me". Generally, this really means those who fall into the latter category don't actually know what right should look like and on these occasions all I try to do is give gentle guidance which they can take or leave based on my own experiences/knowledge and on what is currently considered "correct" here in Scotland.

With regard to modern "kilts", be they Utilikilts, Amerikilts, the latest offering from TFCK or whatever, I keep my opinions on these strictly to myself, and as far as I am aware the only one I have objected to is the Mountain Kilt, which is a wrap-over straight or A-line skirt and has no resemblance whatever to a kilt.

So where do we disagree?

[Graham]

Thanks for your post Robbie, yes, I have learned from you and share some of your fuddy duddy ways

Like you, I appreciate this site, it has helped me a lot (along with Bravehearts) to make the transition from mainly trousers to mainly kilts.
I've been encouraged by the stories of others and that has increased my boldness and confidence in being seen in a kilt.
Even Toms' site, for the brief time I was there, aquainted me with another kiltman in my own state. We have become good friends since and my wife and I have stayed at his house.

So this site is truly bringing us all together, through the miracle of cyberspace.
It's good to take joy in our Scottish heritage, whether we are linked to it by family or not.
I for one, appreciate your involvement Robbie.