Theory and practice.

[Jock Scot]

We have all no doubt discovered in life that sometimes there is a big difference between theory and practice. And some times we have to rediscover this awkward fact several times before having to accept it!

I see this happening almost weekly on this website. I give you a few examples. A picture is published of Sir Shaun Connery decked out in Highland attire, to the unwary they look at it and go "well if that is what Sir Shaun is wearing then it must be right. Right?" WRONG! His attire in that infamous picture is mismatched and inappropriate for the occasion. A photograph is published "proving" that X can be worn with Y at such and such an occasion, so the unwary say to themselves "I can't be wrong there then if I wear that ,I have proof. right?" WRONG!The picture may be of 100 years ago and things may have moved on since then. OR, the picture was wrong, maybe for theatrical reasons, right from the start. A collectors item , a museum piece even, is discovered in a dusty trunk, it is of a tartan that has never been seen before and the kilt is of some long lost and unknown design. So we must be right if we make that style as an accurate example of a kilt style,right? WRONG! There is no doubting its historical interest,but actually it bears no relevance to what is worn in Scotland today. I can't find a clan tartan so I will wear a district tartan, I can't be wrong there, right? Well nearly wrong! District tartans have little or no relevance to us in Scotland. The list goes on and on.

Sometimes we do have to accept that reality is very different to the theory and I, amongst other Scots on this website do try to gently point out the sometimes unpalatable truth to some. It can get very trying when that truth is dismissed out of hand by, sad to say, many of you. What are we to do? Not bother answering the question,some of us have given up, and I certainly have thought about not answering the questions, because of the above.

I have dismissed that idea, as I refuse to see my national dress and culture cheapened and to my eyes brought into ridicule by those that don't want to listen and apparently don't care. Well I damn well do!

To those that are really interested in Scottish attire, traditions and culture, please ask as many questions as you like and I and I hope other Scots, will be happy to help out. To those with their head in the sand and are determined to keep their head there, no matter what---------might I suggest that they --------well,---------- take up a new interest.