non-tartan kilts on the field.

**Alan H** · 6th February 13, 10:24 PM

Utilikilts, camouflage fabric kilts, even solid-color kilts with flame inserts in the pleats (I made one for Bethany, like that).....anything non-tartan, or non-solid colored that's not set up with at least a strong nod towards traditional construction......

How do you feel about it?

**Alan H** · 6th February 13, 10:28 PM

I'm a bit conflicted about it.

Obviously, I made Bethany's flame kilt, and I like it.
I really like Phil S's cow print fabric kilt.

At the same time, I completely agree with the idea that the athletics at the Games is not Track and Field, it's NOT "just about the throwing". As 01d-dude puts it..."the ancestors are well pleased". I enjoy the fact that when I pick up a weight at Pleasanton, I know it's the very same weight that has been thrown for decades upon decades. There's a historical and cultural aspect to it that should NOT be dismissed.

At the same time, God forbid that we get too bluidy serious about it. Like Kelly Nik said in the car as I took her to the airport a few years ago...."We're throwing rocks and sticks. Get over it!".

I see both sides. I can coexist with both sides. Some folks would use less flattering language to describe my opinion, or lack of one, I'm sure!

**BCAC** · 7th February 13, 01:03 AM

Originally Posted by Alan H

Utilikilts, camouflage fabric kilts, even solid-color kilts with flame inserts in the pleats (I made one for Bethany, like that).....anything non-tartan, or non-solid colored that's not set up with at least a strong nod towards traditional construction......

How do you feel about it?

Contemporary kilts have no place on the field with heavy athletics during highland games.

I will leave it at that statement in the hope that this thread doesn't turn into a contemporary versus traditional kilt war.

I hesitate to state my views on contemporary kilts elsewhere than on the athletics field for fear of starting such a war.

**Jock Scot** · 7th February 13, 02:10 AM

Hummm, on balance I think as people are competing in a Highland Games and at specifically Highland Games type events then I think tartan kilts really ought to be the way to go. If nothing else and at a guess, I suspect the spectators might expect it.

**Chas** · 7th February 13, 04:39 AM

An interesting question.

If a style (or construction) of a kilt for heavy gamers were to evolve I would not object to it.

The man who digs ditches and the man who sells insurance both wear different clothes to do their own job. Although, I don't know, I would expect that the heavy athlete would have different requirements from a kilt than the man who makes the opening speech of welcome.

In the UK, the shorts worn by soccer players are different from those worn by rugby players. Soccer shorts have no pockets. Rugby shorts do, because the player needs to keep to stop his hands getting too cold to grab the ball. A simple evolution to fulfil a need.

Likewise, I would not object to 'team colours', for want of a term. I have been to some games where it was possible to lean forward and whisper in a thrower's ear as he takes his run-up. I have also been to some where a good pair of binoculars was required.

Are Tee shirts or polo shirts enough to identify the athlete? Again, I don't know, but I have a feeling not.

If men wear a kilt in a particular tartan to identify them as being part of a clan, why should heavy athletes not be able to do the same?

Regards

Chas

**Tobus** · 7th February 13, 07:19 AM

Originally Posted by Alan H

At the same time, I completely agree with the idea that the athletics at the Games is not Track and Field, it's NOT "just about the throwing". As 01d-dude puts it..."the ancestors are well pleased". I enjoy the fact that when I pick up a weight at Pleasanton, I know it's the very same weight that has been thrown for decades upon decades. There's a historical and cultural aspect to it that should NOT be dismissed.

At the same time, God forbid that we get too bluidy serious about it. Like Kelly Nik said in the car as I took her to the airport a few years ago...."We're throwing rocks and sticks. Get over it!".

Well, let's look at it from another angle. What if they were to stop wearing kilts altogether and start wearing shorts? At what point does tradition matter?

I'm (obviously) not a heavy athlete, but as a spectator I prefer to see the competitors wearing tartan kilts. It's part of the tradition.

**Martin Roy** · 7th February 13, 07:46 AM

As a competitor, I don't think it's too much to ask of the athletes to wear tartan and some type of hose as well. There is a context to the games that is important and should be respected. One doesn't wear a baseball uniform to play football. A utilikilt may be ideal in a different situation but, in my view, an athlete on the field should be wearing a tartan.

**tundramanq** · 7th February 13, 08:14 AM

At a game, the athlete wears his game uniform. For practice anything works.

**llyd** · 7th February 13, 08:15 AM

I am isually the first guy to say, "wear what you want," within reason..one would not wear a utilikilt to a black tie event...in fact those are about the only two instances I get stuffy about it...it is a highland game, and highland dress os associated with tartan...the same with formal dress...now, I could probably extend to solid color kilts, as there is some reasonable tradition there..but much beyond that...nahh..