TRADITION: let's (re)define it.

**CMcG** · 23rd June 11, 10:48 AM

Originally Posted by Tobus

Personally, I think it would make more sense if we described it as "Scottish traditional". <snip>

Well the forum heading already has the word "Highland" in it...

Originally Posted by starbkjrus

OMG!

I cannot believe someone started this thread.

I'm going to my bunker now.

Sorry! Can I pass the buck and say it was Jock Scot's idea?

For me, the problem is more semantic than anything. The sub-forum description indicates that THCD is somehow not current because it stops in the 1980's. I believe that traditional is not the same as historical.

By saying that tradition is still living, it means that it is also still changing. The changes just happen to be slow and tend towards the classic rather than flash in the pan fads. It's what allows discussion on this part of the forum to be held with regards to established conventions, aka "rules."

**Tobus** · 23rd June 11, 10:56 AM

Well the forum heading already has the word "Highland" in it...

True. I wasn't speaking so much about the forum header, but just our everyday use of the term "traditional". I think it just gets a lot clearer when we use phrases like THCD or Highland tradition or whatever. As long as everyone is on the same page with "traditional" meaning "Scottish traditional", we needn't quibble about minutiae.

**BruceBC** · 23rd June 11, 11:09 AM

100 years from now someone will find an image of me wearing a kilt, work boots, socks pushed down, a hoody and a baseball cap. This look will then be referred to as traditional ;). Many a Scottish history grad student will be writing about the "newvo-trad" look.

ps - I hope I just coined a phrase to be used by future academics.

.... the following is to be read in 2111.....

(PPS..if you are reading this 100 years from now good luck with your dissertation , don't forget to cite me, and there is a chance I am still alive, in a retirement home, having an active sex life - feel free to find and interview me)

**Jock Scot** · 23rd June 11, 11:10 AM

Originally Posted by CMcG

Well the forum heading already has the word "Highland" in it...

Sorry! Can I pass the buck and say it was Jock Scot's idea?

"

Oh right, you just carry on and blame good old Jock! I have broad shoulders------still------I think-------- yes I can take it--------just. However, just remember who started THIS thread!

------------before that particular persnickety and mischievous student------you know the one---------Mr "Bracket"(aka CMcG--------------starts to chatter about the "other" thread where this subject just happened to be brought up in the course of conversation------and only that----------by--- er--- well------me-------I don't see that I should be held responsible for starting a thread-----this one-------- that could well cause the end of the Universe!

**WillieMacG** · 23rd June 11, 11:45 AM

Originally Posted by Tobus

Personally, I think it would make more sense if we described it as "Scottish traditional". That, to me, narrows it down to what the Scots do.

Not so fast! Here are some of my Scottish buddies at a Harley rally in Scotland not too long ago.

**Jock Scot** · 23rd June 11, 11:48 AM

Originally Posted by WillieMacG

Not so fast! Here are some of my Scottish buddies at a Harley rally in Scotland not too long ago.

I think even those Scots would call that "theatrical"!

**KFCarter** · 23rd June 11, 12:38 PM

Originally Posted by CMcG

The sub-forum description indicates that THCD is somehow not current because it stops in the 1980's. I believe that traditional is not the same as historical.

I think, CMcG, that you have the crux of it right there. And I don't think it's a matter of "minutiae" but a matter of clarity. What is traditional in Highland Wear did not lose it relevance in the 1980's and it continues to strongly influence the choices of many kilt-wearers.

I venture to say those of us who prefer a traditional look (my feelings on this subject have evolved over time, by the way), don't wear it to be "dated", but wear it to feel "connected". As to 100 years from now, I would imagine that a spectrum of photos on this particular sub-forum, ranging from Edward VII's time until 2111, would certainly exhibit some evolution of the look, but also evidence a strong sense of continuity. So it might be perhaps a bit clearer to adopt something like, "(Dating from the Reign of Edward VII, and as carried forward to the present.)" or something along those lines.

Just my $.02 ... and worth all of that....

**WillieMacG** · 23rd June 11, 12:44 PM

Originally Posted by Jock Scot

I think even those Scots would call that "theatrical"!

Right you are Jock. They were just goofing around there. But, I have seen them dressed in black T-shirts, leather vests, big black boots, and their favorite Kilt.

**Jock Scot** · 23rd June 11, 01:25 PM

Originally Posted by WillieMacG

Right you are Jock. They were just goofing around there. But, I have seen them dressed in black T-shirts, leather vests, big black boots, and their favorite Kilt.

Make no mistake, I am all for a spot of "goofing around"!

**Ryan Ross** · 23rd June 11, 02:17 PM

Originally Posted by piperdbh

Here's my contribution:

THCD noun def: how Jock does it

How's that?

I doubt there will be any agreement about a certain time period or a certain style being "traditional", and, quite frankly, I don't see the need to redefine "traditional". I say, let's wear what we want, and if we're trying to do it Jock's way, he'll tell us what we're doing right and wrong. If we want to wear t-shirts and flip-flops with our other-than-tanks, then there will lots of company in that boat, too.

10-4, over and out.

...if Jock had seen me last Saturday, he might have had a stroke.