for the scout leaders

[EagleJCS]

The Boy Scouts of America accept the MacLaren tartan kilt as uniform wear.

Since when? I don't really want to start another kilt/uniform discussion/argument here. There's a thread somewhere in the archives here discussing this topic, and I said my piece there, so I don't want to dredge all that back up.

Kilts (of any description/material) are not available in the catalog (ScoutStuff.org), so they're not official uniform wear.

Maybe the folks in your council turn a blind eye to wearing a MacLaren kilt (or possibly any kilt) with the uniform shirt, but I have been told by my Council Field Director and our previous Council Executive in no uncertain terms that I am NOT to wear my kilt with my uniform shirt unless I were piping at an event.

[O'Callaghan]

Jock, the answer is no, not in US scout units when in uniform.

OTOH, one of the early scout commissioners in the UK was chief of clan Maclaren, and he gave his blessing for all scouts to wear his clan tartan, really so that boys without a clan tartan would not feel left out. This is an entirely separate thing from scout uniform rules, which of course differ from country to country.

Moreover, it is only tangentially related to the wood badge scarf with it's patch of Maclaren. Of course, you can't wear that scarf unless you have passed that badge, but any scout may wear a kilt in clan Maclaren tartan. The scarf and the beads are wood badge insignia. The kilt is not.

In Scotland, a scout may wear a kilt in any tartan as uniform, and in N. Ireland they may wear a saffron kilt as uniform. In addition, in any part of the UK, a scout of Scottish descent may wear a kilt in a tartan they are 'entitled to', including Maclaren, as uniform, and a scout of Irish descent may wear a saffron kilt.

So, hypothetically, being of Irish descent, if I went back to England and signed up as a leader I could wear a saffron kilt in scout uniform. The former is more likely than the latter. My wife does more than enough for the both of us!

ETA: I do actually own a saffron kilt, but the UK Scout Association 'recommend' a brown sporran, and I don't have a brown one.

I'm sorry I brought it up, really, as this has all been done to death before. I just intended to point out, knowing that unlike most Scots, Americans like to wear a multitude of tartans, that becoming a scout leader gives you one more choice, i.e. Maclaren. I didn't mean to imply that you could wear any of them with a US scout uniform. With perhaps some limited exceptions, you aren't supposed to.

[Spartan Tartan]

I went to the district level leaders' meeting tonight. Took some advice and chatted up several other leaders. I am getting a better sense of what is expected of me and what needs to be done. I'm still a bit taken back with what I understand needs to get done early on to start the year off on a good foot, but I met several people that were willing to share advice and experience.

I'm really looking forward to this year and having this be a wonderful experience to share with my son.

[Standard]

...I'm really looking forward to this year and having this be a wonderful experience to share with my son.

This sounds like the perfect way to begin your scouting career.

[eaglemo]

I did not intend to imply that the MacLaren tartan kilt or any other tartan was accepted as part of the official BSA scout uniform. As per the BSA Uniform Guidelines, kilts are not listed as uniform dress.
My intent was that many scouts do wear kilts, with the MacLaren tartan as a large percentage, due to the Wood Badge connection. Many councils and districts do not take exception to this wearing, as it does put persons in dress uniform and shows spirit!

[eagle43172]

Congrats on taking a monumental step! My advice is to read the available literature, and take advantage of any and all training opportunities. Scouting has been a big part of my life since I was a Cub Scout in the early 60's (Eagle "72) and I've been a Scouter since '95. Be aware that it grows on you to the point that when your scout ages out, he may leave the program, but you wouldn't ever onsider doing so.

To weigh in on wearing your kilt to scout events, the BSA does not consider it part of the uniform and probably never will, but neither does it consider blue jeans or non reg cargo pants (unless a Venture unit opts that way). Look at the Scouters in your unit and see how many attend events in "full" uniform. You'll see many in shirts and non reg pants. In this case kilts are just legless pants. I wear my kilt to scouting events when it moves me (I also collect "vintage" BSA uniforms and have several from different periods that fit me. I wear them too, the scouts get a kick out of seeing me in scout breeches and knee high lace up boots), but I usually attend council level events in full uniform. I tend to wear a campaign hat when kilted and always a neckerchief. I like the look.

I hope your scout loves the program and progresses as far as he can.
Good luck