The first time I saw a piper kilted in person was at my great uncles funeral and I was still pretty young but it certainly made an impression on me. Around the same time my brother bought a CD of Gordon Highlander pipes and drum music which I couldn't stop listening to.
It was not until I joined the Army and was stationed in Germany of all places that I wore the kilt for the first time. I discovered a couple of Army buddies of mine were as keenly interested in their families Scottish heritage as I was and we started talking about getting kilts. There was a Scottish shop not far from where we were all stationed called "Der Schottenladen" and we used to go there almost every weekend. After awhile we all pulled the trigger and ordered kilts that were made by Locharran in Scotland. We all wore them around Germany a few times and went to a few parties in them but when I look back, aside from getting proper 8 yard heavy weight made to measure kilts, we were a collective kilt DON'T picture. We thought we looked pretty awesome though.
I really only wear the kilt to specific events such as highland games and with work and traveling have not worn one since the summer of 2009. This year is no better unfortunately but perhaps next year I will be able to make some games again. Also I have been wanting to go to a Burns Supper but have never made it to one as of yet. Plan on going to Scotland again with in the next year or so, perhaps that will be the next best opportunity for me to wear the kilt again.