Scot or not? Who really cares?

**Orionsfall** · 13th July 06, 05:17 AM

Welcome, from a fellow newbie here!

Chris

**MacWage** · 13th July 06, 05:20 AM

I'd say, LEWIS is very much a Scot surname (from the isle mentioned above, a MacLoed stronghold). Get a kilt, in Loud MacLoed, and WEAR IT WITH PRIDE-> the addiction has begun, never to end (maybe slowed by bank acccount and famili expenses

).

Loud MacLoed is also called MacLoed dress and MacLeod of Lewis!!
(That id the bright yellow and black tartan. Personally, I like it, but others don't (too loud for them). Well, I also like yellow. :mrgreen:

My wife, grandmother was a Lewis from Conway, South Carolina. If you've got family in that area, you, my wife,and my kids are probably related! I could wear loud MacLoed, to honor my wife's grandmother (who is still living). It is on my long term list, but not immediate.

For that matter,I could also wear the German National to honor my own grandmother (and my wife's Lutheran family roots-> on her paternal side).

Again, welcome and enjoy!

**pbpersson** · 13th July 06, 06:43 AM

Originally Posted by flyingscotsman

Anyway ... to make a long story short (too late) I almost want to go back to saying I'm a purebred mutt ... but I love the kilt ...

No Scottish blood here at all, just Swedish and German. I tried a UK for the first time one week ago today when mine arrived and I was unprepared for how comfortable it is and how much fun it is.

Now I'm hooked.

Phil in Phoenix

**KiltedCodeWarrior** · 13th July 06, 06:50 AM

And welcome from the Windy City! Looks like we are getting a regular kilt wearing stronghold in AZ!

**Aggie** · 13th July 06, 07:03 AM

Welcome.

**Rab Gordon** · 13th July 06, 07:22 AM

Failte

**Richland** · 13th July 06, 09:29 AM

Looks like we have another Mass. kilter to.
Orionsfall, welcome. Come east for a kilt night!

**Panache** · 13th July 06, 10:15 AM

Welcome from Sunny California and the heart of Silicon Valley!

Cheers

**motorman4life** · 13th July 06, 10:27 AM

From my website, www.kiltday.com

You don't have to be a cowboy to wear blue jeans or a cowboy hat.
You don't have to be an athlete to wear a tracksuit.
You don't have to be a pilot to wear a bomber jacket.
You don't have to be a baseball player to wear a ball cap.
You don't have to be a hunter or a soldier to wear camouflage clothing.
You don't have to be a man to wear trousers and...
You don't have to be a Scot to wear a kilt.

Kilts are a part of your American Heritage:
As noted by the U.S. Congress in their Tartan Day Resolution, "Scottish Americans successfully helped shape this country in its formative years and guided this Nation through its most troubled times..." "The designation of a National Tartan Day recognizes the invaluable role that Scottish-Americans have played in American history. It is certainly significant that one-half of the signers of the U. S. Declaration of Independence and three-fourths of all U.S. Presidents have been of Scottish ancestry."

Of course, we all know many brave and intrepid Scots, Scottish-Americans and other Celtic/Gaelic folks have played a critical role in the history of and success of America. In fact, the Declaration of Arbroath of 1320 and the Scottish National Covenant of 1638 are widely recognized as the models used for the U.S. Declaration of Independence and the Preamble to the U.S. Constitution.

For these reasons, among others, Scots and their Celtic ancestors (and their numerous accomplishments) are an important part of our national heritage, even if we are not borne of Scotland or are not certain of having any Celtic/Gaelic forbearers.

For those that are so inclined, there are at least 6 American Tartans (designated for all Americans) and at least 10 Canadian Tartans. These are most particularly intended for individuals with no specific Scottish or Irish clan affiliation as well as those wishing to show National Pride. There are also at least 4 "Universal" Tartans (designed for use by all people, such as "Pride of Scotland" and other corporate tartans) as well as a host of district tartans designated for members or alumni of universities, military branches, associations, clubs and civic organizations as well as residents of various countries, states, provinces and cities throughout the world.

Keeping in mind that the kilt has evolved dramatically over the centuries, many feel that UtilikiltsTM and other "non-tartan" casual, utility and dress kilts are a natural evolution of the traditional kilt. (poly/cotton "true olive" khaki casual style Freedom KiltTM, shown right).

Unfortunately, there are many self-righteous people of various Scottish descent (these people are often lovingly referred to as "Tartan-Nazis") that feel the kilt is their sole property, a birthright and entitlement, only for those of direct and provable Scottish lineage. This disregards the fact that the kilt may well have been adopted by the Scots from the Vikings and Normans about 1000+ years ago. Regardless of its origins, the Scottish kilt was strictly the domain of the Highland minority and various Nordic warrior tribes for many centuries. Only a handfull of clans even claimed or recognized any particular tartan prior to the 19th century. By all accounts, the kilt and tartan plaids were scorned as being symbols of uncultured barbarians and were openly despised by the Lowland Scots (the vast majority of all Scots) and the rest of Great Britain for almost 700 years!

It was not until the Scottish (Jacobite) rebellions, the outlawing of bagpipes and the prohibition of the wearing of Highland garb (both kilts and tartans) in 1746-1747, that the Lowland Scots gradually adopted Highland dress as a form of rebellion against the Crown. Over the following century, the popularity of Highland fashion quickly spread across the United Kingdom and the kilt underwent significant evolution while hundreds of new tartans were adopted by families and regions that had previously rejected Highland garb. The kilt and clan/tartan fashions became all the rage in the United Kingdom in the 19th century and many of the long held beliefs we have about these various "traditions" and the myths surrounding the wearing of the kilt and tartans were actually developed and/or concocted by non-Scots at that time.

The fact is, you don't need to play a banjo, ride a horse or be an American to wear blue jeans. Similarly, anyone that appreciates the contributions of the Scots, Celts and those of Gaelic heritage are perfectly within their rights to wear a kilt and/or appropriate tartan as a form of respect and honor for our common forbearers, regardless of their bloodline. This is evidenced by the U.S. Congress’ Tartan Day Resolution of 1997; which demonstrates clearly how and why all Americans are entitled to wear a kilt (and tartan, if they so choose) in recognition of our common national heritage, regardless of personal or family pedigree.

Welcome aboard!