Islands of Kilts

[pdcorlis]

I completely agree Ron. I really believe that one of the major appeals to the public with regards to men in kilts, is the confidence and bravado that comes when a man is comfortable in his kilt (and skin).

Good point Ron and Colin. While I'd like to think I was a confident man on my first kilted adventure, I suspect others may have wondered who lit the kilted bottle rocket in the store. Its not so much about an "objective reality" out there as it is about our perception of the world around us. One thing for sure, I know I'm more comfortable in my kilted skin now. How do I know? Lots more folks smile, walk up to me, and to talk about my kilts - and like Ivory soap those comments are 99and 44/100ths % pure complements.

I think you're right... the world loves a confident kilted man.

[Riverkilt]

Hey Phil,

Thanks for being so open. NewKilt makes a good point about tartans. I own 13 plain Utilikilts and 3 plain Amerikilts.

This weekend I'm out on the Hopi Reservation, in the dirt and the dust and the mud (the Hopi's danced VERYwell this year - lots of rain and ALL the washes are running deep and fast.

A logical man would have brought his "Scottish Jeans" to wear. Me, I brought three tartan USA Kilts Casuals...go figure.

Then, on my way out of Page I stopped at the post office and my new Strome in Red Scott had arrived. I just can't not wear it. So tonight I wore the brand new kilt out into the boonies of the Hopi Reservation for their 13th Annual Freedom in Sobriety gathering. Turned chilly so it was a good choice.

I started with Utilikilts...and I still wear them a lot and like them. I just find myself choosing to wear my tartan kilts most of the time.

And thanks for the mention Mike1, I actually do have many clan tartan kilts. I have four Macdonald tartan kilts, a Cameron tartan, three Gordon tartan kilts, two Scott tartan kilts, and a Fraser tartan kilt, all honoring the clans of my ancestors. If you add the generic Scottish, Irish, and Welsh tartan that makes at least 14 kilts I chose because of my lineage.

Going by memory here so may have missed a couple. But the point is, I do take great pride in "flying my family colors."

And I too relish researching the family history. Lest it be lost I often mail copies of the family tree my brother, sisters, cousins, nieces and nephews.
Hopefully, some will survive, just as the letter from a great uncle did for me that got me hooked on genealogy back in 1970.

To be able to return to the lands my ancestors were banished from would be a treat.

Ron

[pbpersson]

You seem to have this "holier-than-thou" attitude that those of us who do not wear our kilts "shopping, washing the car, going to work...every day" are somehow "below you" -- if I'm wrong, please correct me.

Can you tell me what I said that ever gave you that impression?

This really disturbs me.

[pbpersson]

That's too bad, then. In general, most Scottish societies are filled with nice people who take pride in their ancestry and wearing the kilt.

Frankly, your suggestion of contacting “The Caledonian Society Of Arizona” made me cringe which is why I had a knee-jerk reaction to your words.

This forum (Xmarks) on the front door says “All who wear kilts are welcome here, regardless of whether you are Scottish or not” and I have felt so included by the great people on this forum even though I am Swedish.

When I heard the name “The Caledonian Society Of Arizona” I imagined a meeting hall filled with official Scottish men discussing matters of great importance and I envisioned me showing up and saying, “Hi, I'm Phil, I'm not Scottish, I don't know anything about Scottish heritage or history and I don't have time to learn but I'm wearing this cheap American kilt-like thing and I want to hang out with other guys who like wearing kilts.”

Well.....I think that would be more than a LITTLE insulting and I would never do that. Also, I feel that attending Scottish festivals or games just to have a place to wear my kilt is somewhat disrespectful and I woudn't do that either. When I attended the Highland Games in Flagstaff I was VERY glad I was there with Scottsmen would could explain to me the historical and cultural significance of what I was seeing – otherwise the day would have been a total loss. Well, I take that back because the music was awesome.

By the way, I did check out that other group of Phoenix area kilt-wearing guys and they had pictures on their web site that showed these young, wild, party animals and I am certainly not that.

I think the guys on this forum are the guys I want to be with, people who are about my age group and share many of my interests.

[Southern Breeze]

I thought we were OLD, wild, party animals.

[macwilkin]

When I heard the name “The Caledonian Society Of Arizona” I imagined a meeting hall filled with official Scottish men discussing matters of great importance and I envisioned me showing up and saying, “Hi, I'm Phil, I'm not Scottish, I don't know anything about Scottish heritage or history and I don't have time to learn but I'm wearing this cheap American kilt-like thing and I want to hang out with other guys who like wearing kilts.”

Well.....I think that would be more than a LITTLE insulting and I would never do that. Also, I feel that attending Scottish festivals or games just to have a place to wear my kilt is somewhat disrespectful and I woudn't do that either. When I attended the Highland Games in Flagstaff I was VERY glad I was there with Scottsmen would could explain to me the historical and cultural significance of what I was seeing – otherwise the day would have been a total loss. Well, I take that back because the music was awesome.

Don't you think it's just as insulting to judge a group before actually meeting them? As I explained earlier, most Scottish societies are usually friendly bunches, and have many members who are not of Scottish heritage -- As I mentioned before, one of our most active members in our society is 100% Nebraska German Lutheran. Our President is from Brazil. I know a lady in another society who is from Bogota, Colombia, and had no connection to Scotland -- she attended a function of that society, liked it, was welcomed by the members, and has stayed -- and no one thinks any different.

BTW, Highland Games in Flag are run by the Northern AZ Celtic Heritage Society -- why no cringe there?

Our own Freelander is a member of the Caledonian Society of Norway, which has a good deal of Norwegians in it, and the same for the Cally of Sweden.

And besides -- you might just learn something. There is always time to learn something, or else those of us in the education business are wasting our time. It's a cliche now, but "the mind is a terrible thing to waste".

T.

[Raphael]

By the way, I did check out that other group of Phoenix area kilt-wearing guys and they had pictures on their web site that showed these young, wild, party animals and I am certainly not that.

I think the guys on this forum are the guys I want to be with, people who are about my age group and share many of my interests.

I don't know who do you want to meet. The guys in the Scottish society are too Scottish for you and the guys party too much in Phoenix. But have you met these people before you judge them?

[pbpersson]

As I mentioned before, one of our most active members in our society is 100% Nebraska German Lutheran. Our President is from Brazil. I know a lady in another society who is from Bogota, Colombia, and had no connection to Scotland -- she attended a function of that society, liked it, was welcomed by the members, and has stayed -- and no one thinks any different.

I think you are absolutely right. But....I want some Scottsmen to go with me.

BTW, Highland Games in Flag are run by the Northern AZ Celtic Heritage Society -- why no cringe there?

I had a couple of Scottish guys with me at the time - it makes all the difference in the world.

And besides -- you might just learn something. There is always time to learn something, or else those of us in the education business are wasting our time. It's a cliche now, but "the mind is a terrible thing to waste".
T.

Yes, I do need to learn about Scottish history. When I was at the highland games I learned some of it - but there is a great deal out there to learn. This guy went through hundreds of years of history in 30 minutes.

[pbpersson]

I don't know who do you want to meet. The guys in the Scottish society are too Scottish for you and the guys party too much in Phoenix. But have you met these people before you judge them?

I'm going to go with the Scottish guys. I will learn all about Scotland and perhaps someday I can be an "honorary" Scottsman.

Concerning the party people in Phoenix.....I don't even want to post their web address here. It was NOT a family friendly web site. I mean, there is partying but they seem to take it to a whole new level. It must be the alcohol - once they get going it's an "everything goes" evening. They had pictures from several parties on their web site. Oh....and I have to wonder what they did that they did NOT post on the web site. :rolleyes: :confused: I'm sure I don't want to know.

[arrogcow]

Don't you think it's just as insulting to judge a group before actually meeting them? As I explained earlier, most Scottish societies are usually friendly bunches, and have many members who are not of Scottish heritage -- As I mentioned before, one of our most active members in our society is 100% Nebraska German Lutheran. Our President is from Brazil. I know a lady in another society who is from Bogota, Colombia, and had no connection to Scotland -- she attended a function of that society, liked it, was welcomed by the members, and has stayed -- and no one thinks any different.

BTW, Highland Games in Flag are run by the Northern AZ Celtic Heritage Society -- why no cringe there?

Our own Freelander is a member of the Caledonian Society of Norway, which has a good deal of Norwegians in it, and the same for the Cally of Sweden.

And besides -- you might just learn something. There is always time to learn something, or else those of us in the education business are wasting our time. It's a cliche now, but "the mind is a terrible thing to waste".

T.

To be accurate though, some caledonian societies are very insular. Cincinnati's won't let you officialy join unless you can prove Scottish ancestry, and until last year you couldn't join if you are a woman (only husbands please). On the other hand, you don't have to be a member to go to any of their functions, membership basically only gets you their newsletter.

Adam