Outsider or collaborator?

[demobud]

It is all about reaching a point in your life where you can say confidently that you are not going to bow to the common approach to life. I wish that I had reached that point sooner. Good on you for doing what you want without worrying about what others think.

[Peter C.]

Speaking as a "full-blooded Scotsman", we're all on this big blue marble together. No one person on this planet is better nor worse, higher nor lower, more nor less accepted than anyone else.. all are equal in my opinion.

If you've ever read the history of the MacGregor clan, you'd know that we were once not accepted anywhere in society at all.. it was a crime punishable by death simply to claim the MacGregor name.

I respect all humans.. and would hope that they return that respect

I am English, have no known Scottish ancestry (haven't looked) love all the countries that make up the UK. I have many personal ties with Scotland and always wear my kilt with pride. There are those who say you should know the history of any tatan you wear.

I have just bought some 16oz MacGregor tartan from Fraser and Kirkbright. It was a remnant, I liked the look of it and could afford it. My generation were all taught about Rob Roy as if he was a Scottish Robin Hood, from what you say he wasn't thought of as a Robin Hood at the time.

Knowing more of the MacGregor history would not make me any more proud to wear a MacGregor kilt. Reading how you, a MacGregor of today, think of all other people on this planet, WILL make me a little more proud to wear your tartan.

Respect

Peter

[mddock58]

As to the question, I always go by - The ONLY dumb question is the one not asked.

Yes, we who have been on the board for a while may have seen this asked before, and some questions DO get old, but it is a concern to YOU, so it needs to be answered.

In our own minds, we need to answer these without wisecracks, disgust, etc, realizing that we all were looking for some of this same information at one time or another.

We also need to realize that searching on this forum can overwhelm some, and still not give the information that the searcher is looking for!

[Perldog007]

We also need to realize that searching on this forum can overwhelm some, and still not give the information that the searcher is looking for!

Amen to that. My search ability swings from genius to moron and swiftly so.

[ScottEPooh]

As McMurdo says you don't have to be Scottish to wear a kilt and it is a compliment to us that you wish to do so. Just wear it with pride.

Is there another way to wear a kilt? (other than "with pride"?) I do have some Irish blood in me (not sure where from yet), but that's not why I bought my kilts, although I would like to get a county tartan, as soon as I figure out what county. Sorry, I digress. This forum is not just for the Scottish among us, however their input is often sought after. It's not just for the kiltmakers, though we often run to them for advice and opinions. It's not just for "full-time kilties", but there is no one better to know what kilts to wear when. It's really a forum for all of us, thank goodness. Because as many have said before, "you don't have to be Scottish to be comfortable!"

[Mike1]

Just to clarify, there is no longer an X Marks Dunce of the Week award.

Highlandtide and I were discussing this very subject, a few months back and he related to me that this award did in fact exist. It was decided on 23 September 2004 to award Dunce of the Week honors on whichever member was found to be most deserving.

But you see, 23 September 2004 was the day I joined this forum. The forum staff took one look at me and decided it would be a tremendous waste of time to present me the same award, week after week after week. The weekly award was, then and there, changed to a permanent, Dunce of the Forum award and I've held it ever since.

'S the truth, just ask Highlandtide.

And I've proven to be most deserving of the award. When asked to become a forum moderator, I agreed. And then, when asked to take on co-admin responsibilities, I agreed.

Or was I press ganged??

[kiltedsawyer]

I suppose this continues from my last post in the 'Regrets' thread.
I know there are a few here who have no lineage reasons for wearing kilts (such as myself), and that Xmarks welcomes all who elect to being kiltwearers, or intending kiltwearers.
I'm hoping that none of us feel like 'outsiders', among a naturally overwhelming saturation of members who have a Celtic background.
I feel more like an affiliated spirit of their traditions.
My avatar's motto reads 'Any Dream Will Do', which roughly translates to 'If it pleases me, that's all I want'.
It pleases me, (not to try to pass myself off as being anything other than who I am - I'm naturally proud of being English), to be diverse in my choice of public uniform. Therefore I feel more of a collaborator.
I was wondering if any others 'in my boat' simply read posts feeling that they will not be respected as much should they make any comment.
I've already become 'Dunce Of The Week' by thinking that a flower badge is an actual badge (in modern terms). I don't mind this - it's all part of the learning curve.
This thread probably won't gather many responses, and is simply to say how much I appreciate being here.

I do have Scottish ancestry and still at times feel that my opinion, especially as a newbie, is not received with the same weight as those of this forum who have been here longer. This is understandable. My goal is to further my own knowledge. I'm sure that it must become tiresome to answer many of the same questions again and again, (I know, I'm married.) I have felt like the forum dunce myself, (this was aided by having a typographical error pointed out,) but I got over it and have appreciated the patience and sharing of information, especially from those whose credentials are so widely esteemed. I have really enjoyed those threads that contain the historical and the hysterical, and hope that my few wise-a_s remarks are received with the humor they were intended. Nice thread.

[sporranlegionaire]

Just to clarify, there is no longer an X Marks Dunce of the Week award.

That is so unfair

[morrison]

I suppose ....
.... the learning curve.
This thread probably won't gather many responses, and is simply to say how much I appreciate being here.

Hmmm? Seems to me that there'll be response till there isn't. How few? How many? How some? You're a welcome member / brother in the ad hoc clan of kilt appreciationists. Comments are the whole idea here. Throw in and gab away!!!

[Mike1]

That is so unfair

Yeah, but how do you think I feel about it???