The Kilt Kops

[be da veva]

After reading the whole thread, I have to say that there is a rules violation...

On the other end of the spectrum, I once saw a man representing his clan in the parade of clans at the Grandfather Mountain Highland Games wearing this: a traditional 8 yard kilt in his clan tartan, no shirt, an open black leather biker's vest, about a dozen heavy gold chains on his neck (ala Mr. T), a horned viking helmet, and on his feet -- not kilt hose and ghillies, no not even boots -- large green furry dinosaur feet bedroom slippers.

No pics, didn't happen



Now back to your regularly programmed friendly banter...

[tpa]

Ladies and Gentlemen of X Marks.

This forum will welcome anyone who wears, or wishes to wear, the kilt.

Perhaps Steve should have added the word encourage into his opening post.

Everyone is entitled to their opinion,but surely this forum exists to encourage not discourage kilt wearing.

I'm Scottish and proud of it, not Highland, but my kilts have been part of me for most of my life. No one has ever complained about me wearing them however I choose to, though I don't choose to look ridiculous, at least to my eyes.

Personally I love tartan and tartan kilts; there are very few people male or female who do not look good in a suitably chosen kilt or kilted skirt. There are a lot of particularly male shapes who quite frankly look a whole lot better in a kilt than in any form of trousers (US: pants). Who would not prefer to see a neatly kilted rear to an exposed male rear cleavage when bent over?

We should be encouraging as many people as possible to give it a try and see the benefits for themselves, especially as the continuation of supply of highland attire is relatively speaking of more importance to Scottish industries than elsewhere.

I can appreciate where the die hard Highlanders are coming from, but many men from other countries have fought and died in kilts. Most Scotsmen should be proud that people from other nations appreciate and wear what they regard as their heritage.

Let us keep encouraging it and provide guidance when requested, as we would if asked about any other apparel. We don't hear talk of skirt or trouser police, however ridiculous some people manage to look, and many who should know, or should be better advised, do. So let's keep it constructive and helpful, spread the word and set the example.

[AN COIGREACH ALBANNACH]

T.P.A.

You make very valid points.

I like the cut of your jib!

[tpa]

T.P.A.

You make very valid points.

I like the cut of your jib!

Thank you. As a keen sailor I like your turn of phrase.

[AN COIGREACH ALBANNACH]

Father Bill to try to imply that this forum should be conducted like a bloody battle was not my intent.I perhaps used the well known conflict examples in a too vivid way that detracted from the point I was hoping to convey,being:

Due to many reasons in history,some good examples which you yourself mentioned earlier,Scots and thier kin(along withevery other human,lets face it)have needed resilience and toughness to stick it.

It was my intent to say,don't take the cry 'toughen up' to mean, 'we dismiss your feelings' but rather as a call to raise up to the challenge and don't be put off,even if anothers words seem to leave you no hope to ever hear them say what you want to hearor even the way you wish to hear it.

This forum is called XmarkstheScot.
Scots and those who have grown up with thier ways as standard can be blunt,to the point,and even scathing at times of attempts to sugar coat the pill.A respect for truth,put out in an often pithy way, is evident.
To illustrate:
To be seen changing your mind or being unable to come to a definate point is known as feckless.
To be unable to hold your own without maintaining a stiff upper lip is known as gormless.
There are other descriptive terms well in use by Scots today,I assure you,that cover the same traits,but I feel I would be sensured to state them here!

This forum even goes as far as to include the Saltire as part of it's logo.You must expect to come across opinions and beliefs stated in a most Scottish manner,from time to time!

P.s Here down under we simply turn to someone and say "Stop carrying on like a virgin at a chop picnic!Take a spoonful of cement and harden the ---- up"
Ha ha!It's not all cuddly koalas down here either.Look forward to seeing stick around.

[Dale Seago]

Due to many reasons in history,some good examples which you yourself mentioned earlier,Scots and thier kin(along withevery other human,lets face it)have needed resilience and toughness to stick it.

Here in the States we'd probably use an amended form of your phrase, such as to "stick it out" or perhaps to "stick with it", implying perseverance through adversity. Though to "stick it" would in fact require resilience and toughness in the absence of a good personal lubricant.

[chrisupyonder]

I have read through this thread again and going back to the begining, I agree with everything Steve said in the original post.

I respect everyones opinion, they have a right to their opinion. I have mine and would never enforce my opinion on anyone else. But here is a little story.

We visited Blair castle. The man at the gate taking the entrance fee was in his 50s. Born and bred in the highlands through donkeys years of generations. He asked what my tartan was, I told him and we had a little chat. Then he said it was nice to see someone wearing a kilt instead of the silly tartan trews (his exact words) the male staff had to wear. He was fed up of being asked by tourists why he was not wearing a kilt instead of tartan pants and wished they would give the male staff the option.
He himself said he wore a kilt very often out of work, not just for very special occasions. In his opinion he was in the tourist industry in the highlands of Scotland at one of the major castles and tourists expect to see kilts and not trews which in his opinion were never highland dress.
He did not mind that I was not a true Scot but I did tell him before we parted why I was a MacLaren.
I was asked many times at tourist attractions, what was my tartan, by mostly staff but once or twice by a tourists. I was never asked why I was wearing a kilt.
I have come to the opinion since coming home from our 6 weeks tour that most of the locals enjoy seeing the kilt being worn, especially the middle to elderly local ladies. My wife on more than one occasion commented on this. and we did seem to get better and more attentive service in shops and restaurants. This was also noted by my wife.
I would advise anyone coming to Scotland to wear a kilt if they want, they will be welcomed. The locals will want to know your tartan because it will probably be one that they have never seen. They usually only know their own and perhaps a few others as worn in their area.

I should add that I have only been asked why am I wearing a kilt or what's the occasion at home by people I know.

Best regards and respect.

Chris.

[Father Bill]

Chris - lovely story; useful perspective!

[ForresterModern]

I have read through this thread again and going back to the begining, I agree with everything Steve said in the original post.

I respect everyones opinion, they have a right to their opinion. I have mine and would never enforce my opinion on anyone else. But here is a little story.

We visited Blair castle. The man at the gate taking the entrance fee was in his 50s. Born and bred in the highlands through donkeys years of generations. He asked what my tartan was, I told him and we had a little chat. Then he said it was nice to see someone wearing a kilt instead of the silly tartan trews (his exact words) the male staff had to wear. He was fed up of being asked by tourists why he was not wearing a kilt instead of tartan pants and wished they would give the male staff the option.
He himself said he wore a kilt very often out of work, not just for very special occasions. In his opinion he was in the tourist industry in the highlands of Scotland at one of the major castles and tourists expect to see kilts and not trews which in his opinion were never highland dress.
He did not mind that I was not a true Scot but I did tell him before we parted why I was a MacLaren.
I was asked many times at tourist attractions, what was my tartan, by mostly staff but once or twice by a tourists. I was never asked why I was wearing a kilt.
I have come to the opinion since coming home from our 6 weeks tour that most of the locals enjoy seeing the kilt being worn, especially the middle to elderly local ladies. My wife on more than one occasion commented on this. and we did seem to get better and more attentive service in shops and restaurants. This was also noted by my wife.
I would advise anyone coming to Scotland to wear a kilt if they want, they will be welcomed. The locals will want to know your tartan because it will probably be one that they have never seen. They usually only know their own and perhaps a few others as worn in their area.

I should add that I have only been asked why am I wearing a kilt or what's the occasion at home by people I know.

Best regards and respect.

Chris.

*** --- my experience in Scotland almost to a man (except on one specific golf course, but we shall not go there either in topic or physical location)

[Jock Scot]

I have never been asked what kilted occasion I am going to either, I cannot recall asking any one either.

But interestingly, I was today at the garage filling up the car with fuel and a near neighbour was there all kilted up, re-fueling too. I wondered to myself what the occasion was! Anyway we talked about the weather and talked about the fishing and off he went to pay for the petrol and he came out as I went into pay and whilst I was waiting for the credit card to "go through" the girl behind the counter asked if I knew where "Willie" was going all kilted up! "No idea" said I. Then a third voice from behind the news paper stand said "he is off to his uncle's funeral in Elgin, I expect".

We do not need to ask, but we find out anyway!