Notice

[GMan]

Hell-o all,

Has anyone ever noticed that since Kilt wearing, friends, family, acquaintances, or total strangers come up to you and think that you are an expert on all things regarding the highlands or celtic culture in general?

No I am not talking about all those pesky questions like what's underneath?, do you play the bagpipes? and the like. I am talking about the sincere questions regarding history, the meaning of the Kilt, etc. It really does make the blood flow proudly!

I now leave it for your thoughts.

[Yaish]

Yup. but compared to most of the non-kilt wearing public we ARE experts. Also, we here all have access to some of the most truly expert minds on Scottish history and lore right here on these boards.

I may not be able to answer all their questions, but I know enough to get them started, and I know where to get more info. For most others, they dont even know what terms to look up.

For example, do you think the average gent on the street knows who "The Pretender" was? Do they know what trews are?
Are they aware kilts were once proscibed garments, as were the pipes and other 'highland' customs?
Do they know anything at all about the contributions kilted regiments played in nearly every major conflict? Do they even know what that "big telephone pole thing" is called?

[Mike1]

For example, do you think the average gent on the street knows who "The Pretender" was?

Which one? The Old Pretender (James Francis Edward) or the Young Pretender (Charles Edward)? Just pulling your leg.

Of course it seems the biggest pretender was Michel Roger Lafosse. Excerpts from the 30 July Sunday Mail -

"A BOGUS Scots royal has fled to his native Belgium after he was exposed by the Sunday Mail.

Michel Lafosse, who claims to be a direct descendant of Bonnie Prince Charlie, has sold his house in Edinburgh's new town and moved home to live with his mother.

Last month, we revealed that the self-styled HRH Prince Michael of Albany, faces fraud charges over his successful applications for British citizenship and a passport.

He is also under investigation by the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR). They are probing two charities, the Albany House Trust and the Albany and Stevenson[sic] Trust, which raised thousands of pounds in support of his claim to the Scottish throne.

Lafosse, 48, who moved to Scotland 30 years ago, has already lost his British citizenship and was set to be kicked out of the UK.

Followers have deserted him in droves since our revelations in March."

http://www.sundaymail.co.uk/news/tm_...name_page.html

FAIR USE NOTICE: This website contains some copyrighted material which in accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, any copyrighted work in this message is being distributed under fair use without profit or payment to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for non-profit research and educational or criticism purposes only. Not withstanding the provisions of sections 106 and 106A, the fair use of a copyrighted work including such use by reproduction in copies or recordings or by any other means specified by that section, for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching (including multiple copies for classroom use), scholarship, or research, is NOT an infringement.

[auld argonian]

...doesn't it prove that the guy is a descendant of BPC?...he buggers out and goes to live with his mom! (JOKE! NOT POLITICAL STATEMENT!)

My daughter went to a three day volleyball camp and the subject of Celtic identity came up because a whole lot of the girls were wearing shirts from their club volleyball team, "Celtic Force". My daughter came home yesterday saying, "Dad, they don't know anthing about Celts...they think that Celtic equals Irish and nothing else...no Brittany, no Galitia, no Scotland...AND they pronounce it 'Sell-tick'!" Nice that the crowd here has a broader view of the Celtic culture. That Celtic = Irish thing is pretty prevalent in these here parts.

Best

AA

[Mike1]

..AND they pronounce it 'Sell-tick'!"

Cuid be they's aw jist fitba fans?

[Kilted KT]

AND they pronounce it 'Sell-tick'!"

They could be devout Larry Bird fans ( Boston Celtics, for the non-baskebat fans out there)

[Chris Webb]

I very rarely get those kinds of questions ... I'm guessing it's because I'm not wearing my kilts in the traditional way. I wear my kilts "Americanized" ... no sporran, socks pushed down to boots. I think that if I was wearing my kilts with all the traditional items then folks would naturally assume that I knew much more about the history and traditions of kilts and Scotland. Instead I get lots of questions about the growing number of American men wearing kilts.

Glassman, I'm not suprised at all that you get these kinds of questions. From all the pics I've seen of many, many kiltmen you wear yours with more dignity and precission than any of us.

Kilt On.

Chris Webb

[KiltedCodeWarrior]

Hell-o all,

Has anyone ever noticed that since Kilt wearing, friends, family, acquaintances, or total strangers come up to you and think that you are an expert on all things regarding the highlands or celtic culture in general?...

Glen, I have noticed that, people seem to assume because you wear a kilt, you must know everything about Scotland (or Ireland or Wales depending on the person's own knowledge/conceptions). I guess I like those better than the question, but I feel like I let them down when I can't answer their questions. Of course, I would probably feel the same inadequacy if I were traveling overseas and somebody asked me detailed questions about US or Canadian history (although I would have a better shot on the US side!).