Islands of Kilts

[pbpersson]

I have a feeling that there are "islands of kilts" out on the Internet and I wish we could build some bridges between the islands.

There is a group of 30-50 kilted guys meeting at a bar in Tempe this Saturday night and I just discovered this other group here in Phoenix.

Oh my gosh.....30 to 50 guys in kilts? All in one bar?

Anyway, I can't research this until I get home this evening.


Phil in Phoenix

[macwilkin]

I have a feeling that there are "islands of kilts" out on the Internet and I wish we could build some bridges between the islands.

There is a group of 30-50 kilted guys meeting at a bar in Tempe this Saturday night and I just discovered this other group here in Phoenix.

Oh my gosh.....30 to 50 guys in kilts? All in one bar?

Anyway, I can't research this until I get home this evening.


Phil in Phoenix

I think I've told you this before, but if you want to see kilts in PHX, you need to make contact wi' these folks:

http://www.arizonascots.com/

Or go to the Games:

http://www.arizonascots.com/games.html

Or link with a pipe band:

http://www.mcpb.org/

http://www.phoenixscottish.com/

See there, plenty o' kilts in PHX.

Cheers,

Todd

[Riverkilt]

Hey Phil,

Let us know who they do turn out to be...I'll invite them all to the canyonlands!

Ron

[Kilted KT]

yeah...here is an invite to the badlands....

[pbpersson]

I think I've told you this before, but if you want to see kilts in PHX, you need to make contact wi' these folks:

http://www.arizonascots.com/

Or go to the Games:

http://www.arizonascots.com/games.html

Or link with a pipe band:

http://www.mcpb.org/

http://www.phoenixscottish.com/

See there, plenty o' kilts in PHX.

Cheers,

Todd

I am not looking for people who wear kilts to games or special events, I am looking for people who wear kilts shopping, washing the car, going to work.....every day.

[macwilkin]

I am not looking for people who wear kilts to games or special events, I am looking for people who wear kilts shopping, washing the car, going to work.....every day.

That's too bad, then. In general, most Scottish societies are filled with nice people who take pride in their ancestry and wearing the kilt. You seem to have this "holier-than-thou" attitude that those of us who do not wear our kilts "shopping, washing the car, going to work...every day" are somehow "below you" -- if I'm wrong, please correct me. If you believe that kilts are about freedom, then shouldn't someone have the freedom not wear a kilt all the time, but for events that are special to them?

But, in the end, it's your loss -- you're missing out socializing with fellow kilt-wearers, who may differ from you in terms of personal beliefs about wearing the kilts, but in general, would be more than happy to see a new face, and one interested in kilts in general. Be open to these as you are to wearing the kilt on a regular basis, and you might just meet some fellow kilt wearers who turn out to be friends. And before you say, "I'm not Scottish", not everyone in Scottish groups are -- one of our most active members in our local society is 100% German Lutheran from Nebraska! My wife and mother-in-law are French Cajuns, and our President was born in Brazil. Many Scottish-American societies allow anyone to join with an interest in Scottish culture, including the kilt.

I find it interesting, though, that you are so dismissive of these groups, yet you have a tartan for an avatar.

I'm sorry to have bothered you by suggesting some groups in PHX where you could meet fellow "kilties".

Todd

[pbpersson]

You seem to have this "holier-than-thou" attitude that those of us who do not wear our kilts "shopping, washing the car, going to work...every day" are somehow "below you" -- if I'm wrong, please correct me.

Geez....no, I'm sorry I gave that impression. I generally don't think that anyone is below me.

If you believe that kilts are about freedom, then shouldn't someone have the freedom not wear a kilt all the time, but for events that are special to them?

Of course!

But, in the end, it's your loss -- you're missing out socializing with fellow kilt-wearers, who may differ from you in terms of personal beliefs about wearing the kilts, but in general, would be more than happy to see a new face, and one interested in kilts in general. Be open to these as you are to wearing the kilt on a regular basis, and you might just meet some fellow kilt wearers who turn out to be friends.

Yes, you are absolutely right!

I find it interesting, though, that you are so dismissive of these groups, yet you have a tartan for an avatar.

Well....it's a Swedish tartan and I was going to have my first "real" kilt be that tartan. However, I am thinking of next year exploring other nontrad/nontartan kilts because I'd like people to be aware of the other options out there and the concept that "You don't need to be Scottish to be comfortable"

[pbpersson]

You seem to have this "holier-than-thou" attitude that those of us who do not wear our kilts "shopping, washing the car, going to work...every day" are somehow "below you" -- if I'm wrong, please correct me.

Can you tell me what I said that ever gave you that impression?

This really disturbs me.

[pbpersson]

That's too bad, then. In general, most Scottish societies are filled with nice people who take pride in their ancestry and wearing the kilt.

Frankly, your suggestion of contacting “The Caledonian Society Of Arizona” made me cringe which is why I had a knee-jerk reaction to your words.

This forum (Xmarks) on the front door says “All who wear kilts are welcome here, regardless of whether you are Scottish or not” and I have felt so included by the great people on this forum even though I am Swedish.

When I heard the name “The Caledonian Society Of Arizona” I imagined a meeting hall filled with official Scottish men discussing matters of great importance and I envisioned me showing up and saying, “Hi, I'm Phil, I'm not Scottish, I don't know anything about Scottish heritage or history and I don't have time to learn but I'm wearing this cheap American kilt-like thing and I want to hang out with other guys who like wearing kilts.”

Well.....I think that would be more than a LITTLE insulting and I would never do that. Also, I feel that attending Scottish festivals or games just to have a place to wear my kilt is somewhat disrespectful and I woudn't do that either. When I attended the Highland Games in Flagstaff I was VERY glad I was there with Scottsmen would could explain to me the historical and cultural significance of what I was seeing – otherwise the day would have been a total loss. Well, I take that back because the music was awesome.

By the way, I did check out that other group of Phoenix area kilt-wearing guys and they had pictures on their web site that showed these young, wild, party animals and I am certainly not that.

I think the guys on this forum are the guys I want to be with, people who are about my age group and share many of my interests.

[Southern Breeze]

I thought we were OLD, wild, party animals.