Quote Originally Posted by Graywolf View Post
Obviously in this day and age every group needs a symbol that is easily identifiable, that people connect to that group, and that stands out. For all Celts, this is the kilt. Whether Scots, Irish, Welsh, or Breton.
Without wanting to throw this thread off-topic by moving away from discussing the Irish connection with kilts, I would respectfully add the Cornish to this list.

Although there is evidence to suggest that there was a kilt-like garment worn in Cornwall in the early 16th Century (some figures carved into the ends of church pews in Altarnun), it would not be sensible suggest that there is an unbroken tradition of kilt wearing in Cornwall.

The year 1903 marked what could arguably be called the first 'modern' appearance of the Cornish kilt: at the Celtic Congress in that year, the Cornish delegate, a "wode-blue" kilt as a symbol of Cornwall's "Celticness". Other Cornishmen picked up on the idea began wearing kilts in solid black, which became recognised as the colour for Cornish kilts (in the same way that, for example, red is the Welsh colour).

Sixty years later, the Cornish bard, E E Morton-Nance registered the sett of the Cornish National tartan, the colours of which have great significance in Cornish history (I won't go into all that here - there is plenty of information available on this Worldy Widey Webby thing!).

"Cornish" kilts are becoming more and more common, both within Cornwall and amongst those of Cornish descent all over the world, and are seen as a symbol of Cornwall's "Celticness", and, indeed, its historical and cultural separateness from England.


Regards,

Troy