Tartan at the Highland Games

[piperdbh]

Alright then, educate me. So how hot is it in Texas?

Imagine you're the Christmas fruitcake that needs to bake for three hours. Now multiply that by 7 months.

[Joshua]

For what it's worth, I have 3 different tartans I wear. 2 of them are so-called "Universal" tartans and are mostly for knocking about (or being festive).

If I were spending any significant time at my clan tent, working with or around other members, then I would most certainly wear my clan tartan.

If I were at a games to compete, I'd probably wear my USAK Casual in Caledonia - it's PV, about 5 yards of sewn-down knife-pleats, affixed with velcro, and the "coolest" kilt I own (temperature-wise). But, then again, Florida is subtropical and can get pretty warm, even during the so-called "winter" months.

[Piobair]

Considering the questionable origins of many tartans, who really cares? Don't be overly concerned with the "short-bread tin mentality" that some apply to highland dress - chances are you're already taking it more seriously than most Scots. Just don't wear spats or swords or wrestling boots and you'll be fine.

If for some reason someone gives you trouble regarding your "right" to wear a particular tartan, ignore them. You didn't want to hang out with them in the first place, as they are crazy.

[gary meakin]

I have a Scotland the Brave in 13 oz also but it's in MUCH better condition and I get the feeling I'd worry about it all day.
Hugh

Are you tossing the caber? running the kilted mile? tossing (or catching) the haggis?
If not, I don't see what you'd be worrying about all day.
One of the games I convene at is always in the 90s.
I alternated wearing my 13 oz wool kilt and my 13 oz acryllic kilt.
I felt no difference between the two.

[seanachie]

Ah, that's where we may differ a bit I think. I consider the games as a clan function attended by multiple clans, so I attend those, figuratively, as a representative of my clan. If you perceive them as something different, as some others here do, then I guess the "wear what you please" mindset applies. So perhaps your perception of the games is what needs to be clarified, and then you can act according to your beliefs. As is evidenced by the variety of posts here, not all of us perceive the games in the same way.

Regardless of what you decide, I hope you have a great time!

Brooke..I would presume, though, if I don't have a clan tartan you would be OK with a Universal tartan? I do understand it is a clan function and a sense of what that means but hopefully would not offend anyone's sensibilities. In my collection I have a Capercaillie and Highland Cathedral that are both wonderful kilts (sewn by John Hart (Keltoi)).

[Tobus]

Are you tossing the caber? running the kilted mile? tossing (or catching) the haggis?
If not, I don't see what you'd be worrying about all day.

I'm surprised we made it all the way to page 3 of this thread before someone brought this up. Like gpmeakin, I'm wondering what exactly is the problem with wearing the Scotland the Brave kilt to the Games. Unless you're one of the competitors, how exactly do you figure it's going to get messed up?

Everyone I see at the Highland Games is just walking around, watching games and music, doing a little shopping, visiting with friends at clan tents, and possibly eating/drinking at the vendor booths. No mud fights or food fights that I've ever seen. Y'all doing something different in PA?

[Thomas H]

I have been attending the games for 3 years with out any Clan or Tartan to call my own,I would just wear a tan canvas Kilt ,untill now I finally found family roots in the Ferguson Clan and I am beside myself waiting for my Kilt to come in the mail !
I will finally get to wear a tartan of my own at the Ring Gold games this year. I am soooo Excited! I would wear it in the desert. I understand what you mean.

[biblemonkey]

I'm surprised we made it all the way to page 3 of this thread before someone brought this up. Like gpmeakin, I'm wondering what exactly is the problem with wearing the Scotland the Brave kilt to the Games. Unless you're one of the competitors, how exactly do you figure it's going to get messed up?

Everyone I see at the Highland Games is just walking around, watching games and music, doing a little shopping, visiting with friends at clan tents, and possibly eating/drinking at the vendor booths. No mud fights or food fights that I've ever seen. Y'all doing something different in PA?

I guess I'm just thinking in terms of other outdoor events that I have been to with drinking and live music where most folks aren't exactly careful about the spilling and the dirt. Those around me as well as myself after a few pints. Didn't want to risk a spill of ale on the "nicer" kilt. In all I'm probably worried about nothing as it would seem that this event would be a little better in that respect than some of the concerts and barbeques I've been to recently.

[MacMillans son]

Brooke..I would presume, though, if I don't have a clan tartan you would be OK with a Universal tartan? I do understand it is a clan function and a sense of what that means but hopefully would not offend anyone's sensibilities. In my collection I have a Capercaillie and Highland Cathedral that are both wonderful kilts (sewn by John Hart (Keltoi)).

Absolutely Seanachie. I too have kilts in universal tartans (Auld Scotland) and Irish district tartans (Counties Cavan and Kerry). I do however have the benefit of owning a variety of MacMillan tartan kilts as well. I don't begrudge anyone wearing what ever they have or want, but given an option, I will usually choose to wear my clan tartan when amongst other clans and their members. With that said, I did wear my County Cavan kilt to the second day of the combined RenFaire/Scottish games earlier this year in Watsonville. I felt more comfortable doing so at that event due to it's diluted focus.

I don't want to give the impression that I have a strong attachment to what others do or wear at the games. I certainly have my own preferences and reasons for them, and I assume others do as well. I guess I am somewhat like those Jock describes in Scotland, if you are wearing a certain clan tartan I assume you have some justification for doing so, and would not question you about it. I think the only place a person may run into any difficulty would be with an idiot at the beer tent mid afternoon

Cheers,
Brooke