Is it possible to wear a kilt and not look like you're from Scotland?

[Liam]

Well Jock, I'm not sure where you're going with your road analogy, but if I've correctly read your posts over the years, then I believe that you find it amazing that anyone outside of the Highlands would wear a kilt, and puzzling that they do. Your preference, I think, is that we didn't. Your amazement and puzzlement are feelings that result from that preference and understanding.

My understanding of the kilt is different from yours, and I agree that I'm no Highlander. My sense is that your puzzlement comes from an utter incomprehension of the feelings outlanders have for the kilt or for heritage in general, and how we choose to express those feelings as they are, particularly here in Canada, and specifically by me personally.

I hope I'm coming close so far.

Having said that, the frequent subtle inferences by yourself and others that I shouldn't wear a kilt because I'm not sufficiently Scottish does sting. I say that only so that you and others will know the emotional response that arises from such comments. As I said, I'd be a poor friend were I not to tell you and others how it felt.

Finally, feelings in my opinion (and I've done a lot of professional study, training, and thought on this over almost as many years as you have under your belt) are the most genuine, unfiltered, and honest expression there is of who anyone is. To have them dismissed lightly by anyone is always a sad injustice. Thus, when people express them, wise and compassionate people tread lightly and thoughfully about them because feelings just are what they are. We don't decide to feel that way, we just do.

I understand where our Padre is coming from. I can also appreciate Jock's position as he was born and raised in the Highlands and has never left. The question to Jock is : "If you were to emigrate to another country, let's say Canada which has more citizens of Scottish ancestry than Scotland has citizens, would you leave your kilt and your heritage behind?". Do you think that you some how you would go through a cleansing process to remove your ancestry? - no our ancestry is what it is and we cannot change it.
I am asking these questions, I hope politely and in and attempt to further understanding.
Slainte