100 days kilted and what it did to me.

[Robin]

Today I celebrate my 100th day kilted.

29 years ago...I was 17...I first visited Scotland, love at first sight.
The landscape, the people, the history, the whisky and the tartan.
I went to a kilt shop, but didn't had the money to buy myself a decent kilt.

Visited Scotland over and over again and surprised my wife and all our wedding guests with a piper at our wedding...needles to say we celebrated our honeymoon in Scotland (Isle of Skye and western Highlands).

Visited another kiltshop, but buying a kilt was still no option

The "kilt idea" faded away until...november 5th 2005...on a golfers forum my wife more or less challenged me to get a kilt...



I ordered my 1st kilt the same day...a 16oz 8 yards Caledonia (modern).

I sort of panicked....kilt ordered, but not a clue about how to wear it properly.
In search for more information I stumbled upon this forum (thank God!!!!!) and spend days reading and learning.

When I received my kilt I was thrilled...removed the basting threads and put it on and spend over an hour in front of the mirror. My wife sitting in a chair looking at me..."You look great, but get some sun tan on those knees darling" (taken care of).

My thoughts..."WOW!...just..WOW!...this is it!"

Of course I was uncertain and afraid about what others would say about it, but I was pleasantly surprised...most like it (women really do!).
I started to wear my kilt as often as possible and started to wear it regimental when I figured out even the meanest wind gusts can't beat a tank.

I now have 5 kilts...the Caledonia, MacLaren Muted, MacLaren Ancient, Isle of Skye and a charcoal Freedom Kilt.

Number 6 will be the XMarks...made by Barb.

I'm now a (almost) full time kilt wearer...got rid of most of my trou@&#s and I dare to say my life changed. I'm no longer just one of the 16 million Dutchmen...I'm kilted and I'm aware now. I no longer take anything for granted...I'm proud of myself and I enjoy life much more.

This is the power of the kilt...the kilt itself is beautiful and comfortable and more important...those who wear it (with great pride) show the world they're individuals...not afraid of what others think of them. It makes perfect sense the English banned the tartan after Culloden....a guy wearing a kilt is a rebel and potentially dangerous (prolly more potent also ).

I told my boss to sod off after 14 years...the kilt and my 2 drops of Scottish blood helped me to take this step.

A day kilted is a day well spend....thank you XMarkers!

I'm alive now.

[MacSimoin]

Congratulations, Robin...I hope you have many, many more kilted days to come.

[cessna152towser]

Well done, Robin, you are a great ambassador for the kilt.

[Pour1Malt]

Slainte mhath Robin!!!


came tae Scotland an ai'll fill ya fou o whisky!!!

[pdcorlis]

A day kilted is a day well spend....thank you XMarkers!

Thanks for the story Robin - I couldn't agree more!

[longshadows]

Robin,

Great to hear this. You're story is a real inspiration. I think there is a message here. Many of us are too afraid of something to actually "be ourselves." Once we take the step and find that it was not all that hard and the consequences are not (usually) as dire as we thought, we feel empowered and and liberated. It's a really good feel to "be yourself."

Congratulations and keep up the faith, lad.

[GMan]

Robin.

This is such wonderful news to hear, CONGRATULATIONS, continue to enjoy yourself!

[Eujeankilt]

Robin,

Your story stirs the soul and fires the passions. The kilt is like a medal of passage. Those wearing it know more about who they are and are not afraid of being themselves.

Thanks.

Dale

[Valencian Kilted]

As always, ur history provokes in me somewhat a "healthy envy"...

.... 6 kilts in 3 months and a bit!... ufff!... I'll need to win the lotto to beat you!... but some way or another I'll do the same, I know it!!

Congrats again, and by the way,.... u're a prize for all of us here, man... and also for ur wife, who will be now thinking what an unique husband she has recently discovered thanks to the kilts!


¡Salud!

T O N O

[Southern Breeze]

Congratulations, your story is a inspiration. Don't let the 6 kilts in 3 months bother you. I somehow picked up 42 in 8 months.