Yesterday I went to the annual folk festival at the small town of Swanage in Dorset, England.

As in previous years I wore a kilt - not expecting to see anyone else in one.

I was quite astonished. First I saw someone in a black kilt - and upon asking found that it was just purchased and put on a few minutes earlier at a kilt selling tent on the green - there is always a sales area on that spot during the festival.

So, after congratulating the new kilt wearer on joining the rabble, and telling him about X marks, I went over to the tent and chatted with the seller.

I did not tell him that I'd spotted that the 8 yard kilt he showed me had one pleat sewn with too much flare. I don't know how he could have missed it - maybe he was just hoping that it would sell and the error not be noticed, or taken to be right.

The stall was selling DPM and black kilts, made from a mixture of man made materials, and despite the flaw I spotted, not too badly made, and very reasonable at well under 100 pounds.

I then went to look at the parade, and there were several kilted Morris dancers, and several more kilted onlookers.

The weather was very warm and humid so perhaps that encouraged those with kilts to put them on, and those contemplating a purchase must have had an extra impetus to do it there and then.

I really wished that I'd spent more time preening my kilt, but I'd forgotten that the festival was on, and the kilt was being reduced it size, so I hurridly sewed it together and left without it getting the usual pressing.

Athough some of the kilts were being worn as costume the 50/50 split between dancers and watchers does indicate that kilts are becoming more common.