Heritage and Reality!

[macwilkin]

James, I think your post was very insightful and always, presented in a very gentlemanly fashion -- well done. You summed up quite nicely the strong symbolism that many of us feel & see when we wear a kilt which respresents our clan and/or family.

There is a great two volume documentary on the history of bagpipes titled "Instrument of War" -- in the first volume, an officer from the Argylls is interviewed about the powerful symbolism of the British "tribal" regiments such as the Highlanders, and he makes a point to mention that for the Scottish soldier, the kilt, tartan, bagpipes, etc. is a very powerful "totem and talisman", which I feel extends to civilians as well. Yes, the kilt is not an ancient garment worn by ancient Celts, and yes, the concept of the clan tartan is not shrouded in the mists of antiquity. These are historical facts. Yet, the kilt & tartan take own powerful meaning and symbolism that provide a connection to the past -- "the blood is strong", as the Canadian Boat Song tell us -- and like James, there are those of us who feel that strong pull when we don our kilts.

Cheers,

Todd