The Accidental Kilt Wearer

[ABG0819]

I get similar comments also. Last weekend I went to see the Chieftains. Upon arriving at the parking lot I was asked by the parking attendant if I was "with the band". I should have said yes and maybe I would have gotten free parking.

Mike

A similar experience. My future wife and I went to see a local band called My Three Kilts at a small local bar, kind of a redneck joint. We arrived about 30 minutes before the band started and I was asked at least twice if I was with the band. Of course I said no but it didn't help the image when Robert (the lead singer) came running over to me to ask about my kilt. We spent the rest of the time before the band took the stage with the band just drinking beer and talking. When they finally started playing we found seats that happened to be next to Roberts mother. Had a great time partying with the band and relatives of the band. I even introduced Robert to SWK.

By the way anyone in the Raleigh, NC area...My Three Kilts is playing at Tir Na Nog on March 6. Come out and lets have an impromptu kilt night at TNN.

Graham

[Scotland Forever]

... By the way anyone in the Raleigh, NC area...My Three Kilts is playing at Tir Na Nog on March 6.

I've been trying to get ot Tir Na Nog for the last cpl of yrs, since my future In Laws live there. I'll make it one day
BTW, Seven Nations will be there on Sunday the 14th

[sp00ky]

... And, when wearing the kilt such large Canadian events as Rememberance Day ceremonies, Canada Day celebrations, etc, I am most often taken for a possible ceremonial guest or perhaps a piper, but always involving something with official status. One Canadian Legion president actually came up to the kilted me on November 11 and and asked "Are you anybody?"...

I had the same thing happen to me. Was kilted to our local Rememberance Day ceremonies, stopped in at Tim Hortons after for a coffee. When I went to pay, the woman said it was free to all soldiers in uniform. I was wearing MacKenzie tartan, green hose with red flashes, black sporran and a simple button down shirt under my softshell hiking jacket.

I politely informed her that I was not in the armed forces, rather kilted in my family tartan to honour those of my family who served. She was a little confused but took my money anyway.

Scott

[Zardoz]

I get similar comments also. Last weekend I went to see the Chieftains. Upon arriving at the parking lot I was asked by the parking attendant if I was "with the band". I should have said yes and maybe I would have gotten free parking.

Mike

Kids, remember in the future if someone asks if you are "with the band" the correct answer is always "Yes, I am"!

[macwilkin]

I had the same thing happen to me. Was kilted to our local Rememberance Day ceremonies, stopped in at Tim Hortons after for a coffee. When I went to pay, the woman said it was free to all soldiers in uniform. I was wearing MacKenzie tartan, green hose with red flashes, black sporran and a simple button down shirt under my softshell hiking jacket.

I politely informed her that I was not in the armed forces, rather kilted in my family tartan to honour those of my family who served. She was a little confused but took my money anyway.

Scott

Unless she mistook you for a member of the Seaforth Highlanders of Canada.

T.

[davidlpope]

... it did help form a personal conviction that people in general seem to feel the need for some official reason or outside authorization to wear a kilt or to dress in the highland manner; I further have the idea that this is perhaps mostly a Canadian phenomenon.

I don't think this aspect is uniquely Canadian. Instead, I think it's a reflection of widely-held public opinion that that the kilt is a garment (viewed by some as a "costume"?) worn exclusively for 1) formal events or 2) events which are tied to the Scottish Highlands, or 3) as part of a military uniform in the British Commonwealth, instead of "everyday clothing". I make the assumption that most of the folks you encounter have only seen a kilt worn in these environments, so it's not an unreasonable one for them to hold.

I've even experienced the same thing at Highland Games, even at the large ones like the Glengarry Games in Maxville ON.

This, though, is certainly not the case for Highland Games in NC/SC. A majority of men are kilted, although some of their "ensembles" defy imagination...

Cordially,

David

[Lallans]

I get similar comments also. Last weekend I went to see the Chieftains. Upon arriving at the parking lot I was asked by the parking attendant if I was "with the band". I should have said yes and maybe I would have gotten free parking.

Mike

I would have gotten out of the car and sank to my knees a la the Wayne's World characters when they met Alice Cooper, humbly chanting "I am not worthy! I am not worthy!"

[Lallans]

This, though, is certainly not the case for Highland Games in NC/SC. A majority of men are kilted, although some of their "ensembles" defy imagination...

Cordially,

David

That matches my experiences at games I've attended in the US. This whole issue originally came to mind when I was comparing kilted experiences in the two countries.

[Geoff Withnell]

It does happen in the USA as well. Last Memorial Day, I was going into a store a few minutes after the parade had ended at the park across the street. As usual for me, I was kilted. I was stopped by a fellow who wanted to take my picture. Not just a snapshot, but a whole series of posed photos. He could not seem to get through his head that I was not some sort of performer, and I really just wanted to go on about my business. I finally had to get rude.

Geoff Withnell

[BatlRatl]

One should enjoy the celebrity staus that is thrusted upon you.
After all, don't we at times deserve it?