An Open Question for 'Jock Scot' (and Scots)

[seanachie]

Many ex pat Scots (and Irish for that matter) that we've met in the 9 years of business have stated something along these lines:

When I was in Scotland / Ireland, I was just another citizen. Now that I am in America, I have more feeling of connection to Scotland / Ireland than I did when I was there.

Another way of putting it: Some of the biggest "flag waving Scots / Irish only became that way after leaving their country". Kind of the same thing as the old saying "you don't know what you've got until it's gone".

Again, no disrespect is meant by this as I am sure there are many fiercely patriotic Scots / Irish. I'm just pointing out an observation about the ex pats I've met.

ROCKY:
Another part of that is "look after your own." In this country, and I can only speak to what I was taught from my family history, new immigrants faced prejudice, injustice & mistreatment. By banding together, and helping each other out ethnicity was a common bond and a bridge to a job, housing etc. Certainly remnants of this still exist today. So that national identity was very important.

[Father Bill]

With caution folks. There's a lot of potential for hurt in some of these words. In fact, without wishing to discuss it, I'm one who's feeling it a bit. Just a word of caution, folks.

[Blake Roth]

I re-read my post too late after some editing to find this. I do not mean to say that Scots do not care about the impact of Scottish history, or that of the world, merely that the topic does not directly bear such a grand influence on their choice when and where to wear as it does to those non-native Scots around the globe. Those in the British Isles don't just believe in tradition, they live it. Tradition is a product of the course of history, but of a separate cord from whence those not within Scotland are influenced to wear and the manner in which they wear The Kilt. I stated distinctly after that that all who wear The Kilt are microcosmic historians and knowing history is caring for history! I am deeply sorry if that had come across; please accept my most humble apologies.

Blake E. Roth Esq.

[ForresterModern]

Grant, perhaps you, Sir William and I should show up at Jock's door together when we go. At least then he would only have a one in three chance of getting you with the single shot blunderbuss, leaving time for the other two to get a running head start in retreat while Jock has to reload. Hope he doesn't hit the whisky instead--- that would be a real crying shame.

[Sir William]

Grant, perhaps you, Sir William and I should show up at Jock's door together when we go. At least then he would only have a one in three chance of getting you with the single shot blunderbuss, leaving time for the other two to get a running head start in retreat while Jock has to reload. Hope he doesn't hit the whisky instead--- that would be a real crying shame.

I note that Jock invariably hits the mark squarely and head on. I'm sure the whisky would suffer no damage until the bottle was opened with loving care. I'm also pretty sure that Jock, as a true Highland gentleman, would treat the wounded to a dram.

[ccga3359]

Grant, perhaps you, Sir William and I should show up at Jock's door together when we go. At least then he would only have a one in three chance of getting you with the single shot blunderbuss, leaving time for the other two to get a running head start in retreat while Jock has to reload. Hope he doesn't hit the whisky instead--- that would be a real crying shame.

I don't trust your maths Jeff. The way I figure it, Jock has a one in one chance of hitting me. I understand he has his footmen dress up his grouses as rubber chickens just for practice in the off chance I'll show up with a cheap bottle of hooch!

[Jock Scot]

Bill, Jeff, any one else from Xmarks and I suppose GRANT could tag along, if he must, I would be delighted to see any of you, if ever you are in this part of the world, I am not always lurking in this locality----- it depends a bit on what is running, flying or swimming about the place, but with a spot of planning things can be arranged.

[Phil]

"Jock",
If one of your sons were presented with the opportunity to take a well-paying job in America (and took it), should he leave his kilt in Scotland? And should he decide to stay (God forbid), should he abandon passing this traditional garb to his children? Would you be okay with your grandkids not having this cultural connection to you?

I know that this topic was principally directed towards Jock (from the title) but as it also included (and Scots) perhaps I can contribute also. To answer the specific question, if one of my sons moved to America it would be his decision, and his alone, as to whether he took a kilt and wore it there. In fact one son has little or no time for kilt-wearing, here or anywhere else, and the other wears his solely to weddings and sporting occasions so whether the situation would arise is questionable.
From my point of view I can see no reason not to wear the kilt outwith Scotland but I do tend to follow the 'when in Rome' school of thought and dress as the occasion expects, unless specifically requested otherwise.
As to the general question of kilts being worn by all and sundry who may have little or no affiliation with Scotland, well my view is that it is no more than a particular form of dress, albeit one fairly specific to Scotland. Without Queen Victoria and Prince Albert who embraced all things Scottish and influenced the society of the time with their interpretation of 'Scottishness' known as Balmorality, kilt-wearing, a fairly rare phenomenon at the time, may well have continued into terminal decline in the 19th century and be quite unknown today. So to restrict it to a particular section of the poulation living in a specific location is both unrealistic and probably historically incorrect.
People's reasons for wishing to wear an unbifurcated garment will be infinitely variable from reasons of comfort, health or hygiene, self-image or fashion consciousness, perhaps even sexual or gender orientation and, hopefully most of all, from a desire to identify with a particular culture and its values. Those who have no particular Scottish connection have many non-Scottish alternatives without feeling they are somehow breaking any taboos and the rest are harming no-one and should enjoy their Scottish connections no matter how fleeting and tenuous.

[pascs]

I was brought up in Aberdeen before moving out to a wee village not to far north of Aberdeen and often wore the kilt for weddings, new year etc. About 10 years back I moved out with my family to the Middle East (for employment) and since then I've probably worn my kilt more times than when I lived in Aberdeen. There are hundreds of Scots in the same situation as myself and when there is a Burns night, St Andrews night, New Year etc there are many Scots wearing their kilts.

This just feels right for me as I cant imagine going to a Burns night etc and not wearing my kilt.

My kids were born in Aberdeen and I would certainly expect them to wear the kilt for such special occasions and Scottish events as they have done in the past to weddings. Of course if they dont feel comfortable to do so then thats up to them to decide.

[Jock Scot]

Actually I do understand that "ex Pats" have a need to keep the thread of home going and of course the various Scots events give a perfect opportunity with a link home. Yes I understand that need well. In fact , my father a RN officer, used to tell of some pretty wild parties at these events abroad!

That is one thing, but for Americans, Canadians, other non Scots such tenuous connections to Scotland well frankly I don't understand it. Now if an Australian, for example, said to me "yes Jock, I am an Australian through and through, I might even have some Scots blood in me somewhere, but can I borrow your kilt attire for a Scots themed bash where the guests are required to dress as Scots for the night" well yes, absolutely, I can understand that completely and respect that wholeheartedly.

The rest of this "honour", "flattered" bit from non Scots, with the greatest of respect, I really don't understand. Or as someone recently said here on this website in a very astute post, "I just don't get it".