I am an American with a very thin genealogical link to Scotland. I have followed that thin trail to a Scottish "clan". We no longer have the historically correct clan system in operation. Today we belong to "clan associations". I have always had a kilt in the MacNeil tartan. My family impressed on me the heritage of many years ago. When I wear the tartan kilt, it is worn with respect to the traditions as expected by our current understanding of traditions. I thank Jock Scot, Phil, MoR, Cajun Scot, etc. for their opinions and guidance.

I take pride in presenting myself neatly and properly while kilted.. On this side of the puddle, wearing a kilt makes you get noticed. Just as we do not have a forum for those who wear trousers, I doubt anyone while wearing trousers has had someone in a kilt walk up to them and ask "The Question".

The future of kilt wearing? It has a great future ahead of it. The popularity of the AK, UK, and other garments that only share a thin resemblance of being a kilt in that the "pleats" are in the rear and there are some semblance of two aprons in the front. They are not traditional, but our traditionalists should welcome them, as for many it is the start of kilt wearing that will in the long run provide a venue to continue the traditions of which we are proud. Just as the great kilt is not the traditional kilt of today, and the small kilt holds the role, I am sure that the kilt will evolve further and continue to have a great showing in the World of tomorrow.

I wear the kilt to church and teach 6 and 7 year old children. The parents want me to continue teaching kilted, as it shows the children that one does not need to march to the drummer in the first band, but may march to the drummer in their own band. It is OK to be dressed differently from others, and to be proud of it. The children are encouraged to seek out their own answers in life, not just what is in the book in front of them.

This is for this side of the puddle only. I believe that the Scot population will continue to regard the kilted kit as primarily the national attire of Scotland, for those occasions when one should be seen in it. Think how often one goes to work on the bus in a Tuxedo. The kilt is seen by many as the equivalent in Scotland. The Tux is not going away any time soon and neither is the Kilt.

My wearing of the kilt is to honour my family roots, be they very thin and distant, to the land of Alba. It is a small part of what makes me the person that I am.

Slainte