Quote Originally Posted by Nathan View Post
The most convetional choice is the safest choice. Also, only Highlanders ultimately get to decide what stays or goes in the tradition. If Americans insist on keeping a certain style going that is abandoned in Scotland, that won't make it any more THCD.
I do not wish to beat a dead horse, and I acknowledge that this is not common by ANY means, but I do not think I would go so far as state it is a style that is "abandoned" in Scotland. Although it was over a decade ago, and I lived there for only half a year, in all my time, I saw only about a dozen chaps kilted (not counting pipers and soldiers) and one wore them. Additionally, just from this site, the following images have been grabbed...



GRANTED... this is NOT THE NORM, and the 3rd chap is a P/M wearing more of morning dress (although the P/M that was with him in the image was much more in daywear). Anyway... rare, maybe even odd, but not abandoned.

Interestingly, this also makes me think of traditions in other countries. The area of WI that I currently live had a large amount of Norwegian immigration historically. Today, many "traditions" that are maintained are no longer in Norway. Does that negate their importance or even the continuity of it not worthwhile? Oddly, a number of wood carvers from Norway came to a museum just over the border in Iowa to relearn an old form or carving so they could revitalize it in Norway. All this said, this not clothing in the Highlands, argyles, etc. I am not advocating anything. Just thinking aloud.