Hello All!

My name is Josh, I'm 41, single, from Oakland, CA. I'm actually not Scottish (although I have some suspicions about my Viking heritage...and some of the ginger hairs on my head), but I went to a high school and our mascot was The Highlanders (see my avatar). That counts, right? Anyway, long, long ago when I was a teenager, my sister went to a garage sale and came back, telling me a story about finding a honest to goodness kilt in the $.25 bin, but she didn't get it because she "didn't know anyone who would want one". I shrieked that *I* would want it. She went back later and it was, of course, gone. Fast forward many years later and after talking about it for 20+ years, I went onto eBay and got a "starter" kilt. It's acrylic in a Royal Stewart tartan. I wore it on Friday night and then Saturday night in San Francisco. It was a warm night in the city and standing in the breezeway, feeling the breeze, I knew I'd found something I wanted more of. Plus, it looks totally awesome.

There's a lot to know, obviously, about wearing a kilt and I realized that my enthusiasm was going to get the best of me if I didn't talk to some people who actually know something about this. So I'm looking forward to learning more and getting a real kilt that fits me (I'll be posting about the 8 yard I purchased today very soon). I got a "starter" sporran, and the hose to go along with it. Flashes, pin, and waistcoat? This is already getting pretty expensive.

Obviously, I'm not in a clan, and I'm a firm believer in respecting the Scottish culture and the rules they have, which is why I chose a Royal Stewart, since I read that was one of the acceptable tartans that everyone can wear. And for my next (real) kilt, I'd like to make a good choice that looks good and also doesn't offend anyone.

I also have thoughts about sewing my own utilikilt.

So thanks for having me, and I hope to learn as much as I can from you all.