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1st July 08, 06:38 AM
#11
Warning: Long, possibly quite boring ramble contained in this post.
Here's my little story.
First experience of the kilt was at the wedding of my Uncle Roderick and Aunt Jennifer. I was about 7, my brother about 5 and we were kitted out (quite smartly) in simple boy's kilts and jackets. No frills. To my chagrin the wedding photographer used a photo of my brother and myself in his store window, to advertise his prowess. Alas, his shop was located on one of the busier street corners in Glasgow city centre, so yuo can imagine my embarrassment every time we passed it on the bus! the photo seemed to be on display for years!
Jump forward some 30 kiltless years, time for my own matrimonials to take place. Now, I had become somewhat anti-kilt in the intervening years, for a few reasons: I felt the kilt (meaning the traditional tartan kilt, for I knew not of the modern versions) was an invented tradition, did not relate to my past, and had some unfortunate associations with boorish behaviour of sports "Fans".
Nevertheless, my wife to be suggested that I try on a kilt, as she thought it might look good for our wedding. Being of sound mind and wishing to remain able-bodied, I agred to try one on, thinking that would be the end of it. To this end we took along our 7yr old daughter for a third opinion, and visited the rental department at Alex Scott kiltmakers, Aberdeen. The shop was rather busy so we had to wait a short while, so I had a look around the shop. finally my turn came, and I was presented with an Prince Charlie outfit to try on. I listened carefully to the instructions as to how to don this fearsome woolen thing, retired to the changing booth and clad myself. I drew back the curtains and Amber (our daughter) said "Daddy you look fantastic" - out of the mouths of babes and childen!
That decided, we arranged the details of which tartan to select for the rental for the actual ceremony, paid and departed. I was now in a more positive frame of mind to wards the kilt, which was crystallised when I wore it on the day, it felt wonderful. Not a moment's discomfort during the whole, long, magical day.
This had started the wheels in motion in my wee heid. I couldn't help but keep thinking how smart I had felt, and oddly, that I had also felt more connected to my family by wearing a traditional garment. I did a lot of research on the kilt, both traditional and modern. Finally I could hesitate no longer and returned once again to Alex Scott Kiltmaker, to discuss ordering an outfit. I was expertly advised and assisted by the excellent staff, and within an hour had placed my order. Now I only had to exercise a little patience, as I would have to wait six weeks until it could be completed.
The days dragged by, became weeks, and finally I had the phone call - your kilt is ready for collection - almost a week early! Joy of joys!
For a few months I wore the kilt obsessively at home, and even out on a few special occasions, shopping trips, taking Amebr to school, but married life was causing my waistline to swell, and soon I outgrew the kilt.
Bear with me as we scroll forward a couple of years to the present. I had not lost my interest in a kilted life in the meantime, rather I had become interested in modern versions, specifically the Utilikilt. At last, a sale, a kilt in my size and the favourable exchange rate combined to permit the purchase of a Workman's. I placed the order which arrived within a week. Under 7 days from Seattle to Scotland, that is impressive, as is the garment.
Having been accustomed to the storage limitations of the trad kilt it has been a revelation to have pockets, belt clips etc - all in all a most practical garment.
So, you may ask yourself, what is my take on the arguments about traditional vs modern, heritage etc? I say wear what you like, how you like and whenever you damn well please - as long as you grant others the same freedom of choice!
Ainslie
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1st July 08, 09:00 AM
#12
well, i think i was about 12 when i wanted my first kilt. i surfed the web for prices and i found sportkilt's price(i didn't know about SWK) and bought a wallace kilt. however i didn't get a sporran or belt till i think a year and a half later. its my one and only kilt for now.
Gillmore of Clan Morrison
"Long Live the Long Shirts!"- Ryan Ross
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1st July 08, 09:24 AM
#13
I'm really enjoying this thread. Thanks, folks.
Cheers
Bruce
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1st July 08, 12:07 PM
#14
WOW!! I have nothing comparable to the interesting stories, thus so far. Honestly, it wasn't until recent that, wearing a kilt even enter my thoughts. My wife and I uprooted our family and moved to Kentucky 4 years ago. After our move, I spent countless hours "hanging out" with my Grandfather (of which I had only met one time in my life). I love listening to his stories.
Well, I began to develop a REALLY strong interest in researching my family lineage and, see what history lies out there involving our family. WOW, is what I can say. I found out that, in nearly every chapter of American history, my family is somehow involved. I found out that, my family is "Scotch-Irish" and is mostly from the Western Isles and Western Highlands. They were a Sept of Clan MacNeil (the clan we know from history, prior to Culloden). And, after learning my Scottish roots. I began developing a real interest in the Country, the culture, traditions, the history . . in short, everything Scotland!
My wife is the one that has really pushed me to pursue my interests in my heritage. After hitting the road, visiting Highland games, she "told" me that I will be buying a kilt, whatever I choose. Well, I had no idea what to do, what to look for, who to ask, nothing. So began my great search for knowledge. I spent countless nights, days, whole weekends . . searching for information on my family's connections to Clan MacNeil, their tartan and, kilts in general. That's what brought me to X Marks the Scot :mrgreen:.
I have now, on order, an 8 yard MacNeil (Ancient) in the Lochcarron heavyweight from a company in Glasgow, Scotland . I CAN'T wait til it arrives. I will probably wear it the first week I have it .
Last edited by macneighill; 1st July 08 at 03:10 PM.
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1st July 08, 12:56 PM
#15
I didn't have the pleasure of a trip to Scotland for my first kilt.
Growing up as a boy in Scotland I had plenty of offers from my mother, in particular, to get a kilt but I was having none of that (a) sissy, (b) chauvinistic, (c) old fashioned, rubbish. I refused! I grew up in a fairly tough mining village in the industrial heartland and had no interest at all in what I saw as the over-romantic image of Scotland projected by the heather, tartan & kilts. I thought Scotland ought to be seen as a modern, inventive, productive economy.
Many years later, as an ex-pat living down in the soft south of England, my (English) wife and I took up Scottish Country Dancing again after a long gap. We'd tried SCD before we married but were active for only about a year. This time we really did get into this dance form seriously, going to class each week and attending balls and dances. So I had a need for a kilt if I was to be properly dressed. And I had long ago reached a more balanced view of my native land and its image in the world. In fact, at my sister's suggestion, I had recently even gone as far as joining my Clan Association - Clan Forsyth.
I wrote to my clansman, Billy Forsyth and ordered enough of the ancient clan tartan to make a kilt and asked his advice about how to get it made up. "I always get my kilts made by Gordons," he said, "and I've always been satisfied. I'll take your tartan into them if you like. Just send them your measurements." Since, as a champion highland dancer himself, I thought his judgement re quality of kilt making could be trusted, I told him to go ahead. I got my wife to carefully measure me and sent off the results to Thomas Gordon of Glasgow, then still in business in the city. There was then an exchange of the most delightfully old-fashioned correspondence that could have been written with a quill pen rather than the almost equally ancient typewriter that was actually used, and my very first kilt arrived. Given that I had not even seen the tartan, and the measurements were not as expertly taken as they might have been, I was really very pleased with the kilt. (It was, and is, just a shade too long but otherwise fitted beautifully.)
And as many others here have found, once the comfort of the kilt is experienced, there is no stopping. I am now awaiting the delivery of my eighth - an Isle of Skye in Lochcarron Braeriach pleated to the stripe.
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1st July 08, 01:24 PM
#16
I always wanted a kilt when Iwas a boy but had to wait till I was earning before I could get one , my first was an ex army kilt bought for £5 in 1958 Ihave worn the kilt since on retiring I wear one daily I now have five
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1st July 08, 04:34 PM
#17
First Kilt
I had never given any thought to kilts one way or another. I had seen them many times and I suppose I thought they were kind of neat but the idea of wearing one never crossed my mind. And then I met my girl friend, actually reconnected after 35 years, and she told me her sister and brother-in-law belonged to a clan and had a dinner dance every year. She wanted me to go but told me I would have to wear a kilt. I figured "what the hell" and agreed. She bought some beautiful tartan on e-bay and then spent the next several weeks working her fingers to the bone making me a kilt. It turned out beautiful and with a borrowed PC and sporran I went kilted for the first time. I loved it and had a wonderful time at the dinner dance. And have since gone to a second one. My lady did some research on the tartan and couldn't come up with a name or a clan so we named it after me. Weathered McWerner. I think there might be some Scot on my mothers side but may never know. Since that first kilt I have now just gone to the Vista games in a Union Kilt and plan to go to Ventura. All in all I have enjoyed being kilted and have met some great people who share the same attitude. I will never be in the 10 kilts or more range but do now have 4 kilts and thoroughly enjoy them. And I will be eternally grateful to my wonderful Sydnie for getting me interested and in a kilt. She is the love of my life,
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1st July 08, 04:44 PM
#18
 Originally Posted by bigdad1
[snip] I will never be in the 10 kilts or more range. . .[snip]
Says he! Let's see, he was admiring a black denim at the Vista Games, so that may be my first X-Kilt project. And I have the tartan on hand for a trad Black Watch, and a heavy fashion tartan for my first attempt at a box-pleat. Then there's the camo that we have both admired. . . are we up to 10 yet? Getting close! 
Then there's the 2 casual sporrans I have planned, and materials on hand to make a matching set of antler handle sgian dubh and kilt pin. And if we ever have time (ha) there's thrift-shopping for jackets suitable for conversion. . .
Having a wonderful time together through it all!
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1st July 08, 08:42 PM
#19
My First Experience in a Kilt -
It was mid-November 1999 and I was visiting my piper buddy in Austin, TX. He, his wife, another couple, and I were going to drive north to visit the Salado Highland Games. My piper buddy lent me his MacGregor kilt, which he rarely wore and which fit me to a T, and I was hooked. After I purchased my first two kilts in my own tartan in early 2000, my piper bud sold me that MacGregor kilt. I still wear it and it is featured in my avatar.
Last edited by Jack Daw; 3rd July 08 at 12:14 PM.
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