Quote Originally Posted by Ayin McFye View Post
I am both Irish and Scottish, but I tend to embrace my Irish heritage more, just because I know more about it, and it was around alot growing up. I will openly admit that I am a stubborn person and on that note, whether it be "historically accurate" by the opinions of some people on this list or not doesn't truly matter to me. There is no conclusive evidence that either the scottish created the kilt or the irish or anyone else for that matter. And frankly i don't care who did. My Irish family name is Riley, and we have our Tartan, because my "Ancestors" decided that they would wear kilts. I embrace my Irish Heritage by embracing the same thing that those who came before me embraced.

I'm still trying to figure out why you want an Irishman to justify what they do. The Scottish are not "better" or "more justified" than anyone, nor are the Irish or Welsh. We are all brothers and most of us are of direct celtic decent. Whether you be Irish/Scottish/Welsh/Cornish, doesn't matter to me at all. I am not "pulling the wool" over anyones eyes by wearing a kilt. I will continue to wear it proud from this day forward until the day that i die, and there is nobody nomatter how acredited they may be that will ever take that away from me.

I apologize for jumping on my little soap box there, but i was always raised that a true man defends what he loves. And I love Ireland.
I don't think anyone is suggesting that you cannot embrace the kilt & tartan as a symbol of your Irish heritage; only that the claim of some that the kilt was worn by other Celtic nations and has some "ancient pedigree" is incorrect. The kilt & tartan were adopted by other Celtic nations, beginning in the late 19th century, and have become part of some people's tradition; yet the roots of the kilt & tartan are firmly Scottish. That's not trying to "one-up" anybody, but it is a historical fact.

Our resident scholar, Matt Newsome, has written extensively on this subject. His article, "The Early History of the Kilt", explains just that, and concludes that the kilt is indeed Scottish in origin:

http://www.albanach.org/kilt.html

But, as McClef noted, the tartan has moved beyond Scotland and now represents numerous towns, states, provinces, nations, people, etc.

So, please, do not take offense. No one is trying to offend you.

Regards,

Todd