Why did you start wearing a kilt?

**longhuntr74** · 13th November 09, 10:30 PM

It was pretty simple...one night we started talking about kilts. I said it'd be cool to get a bunch of ACU (the US Army camo) fabric and have the Afghan tailors make a kilt...then I found that many companies already make them. My Lieutenant said "you won't!". Now I own an ACU "commando kilt" and an 8 yard tank...and the list will keep growing!

**Kiltman** · 13th November 09, 11:08 PM

A long time ago, in another galaxy—Oh that's the wrong beginning. What started me wearing a kilt?—I just did, a long time ago, . . .

**OC Richard** · 14th November 09, 05:56 AM

Originally Posted by HarborSpringsPiper

Richard, I remember that Scottish Shopper in Seattle! I think they used to have an ad in the CoP Tutor book. Seems to be my buddy, Don ordered his first set of pipes through them back in the day. I seem to remember the catlogue he got was a photocopied collection of pages stapled together with us wondering at such marvels as Montrose doublets with lace jabots. Wonder if that firm is still around? There's cerrtainly no shortage of options on the internet now when it comes to purchasing "all things Scottish"!

Yes there seems to be a generation of pipers out here in the Western US who started playing back in the 70's who lived in isolation from "the piping community" who relied on The Scottish Shopper for their stuff.

That catalogue was my first detailed introduction to Highland dress and I too marvelled at all the various jacket styles, sporran styles, etc. As I recall there was a whole-page photo showing a large variety of sterling silver kilt pins and how did I want one of those!

My first set of pipes was ordered through Scottish Shopper as well: Lawries made in the waning years of that company, when they were making rather poor pipes.

Virtually every piper around here used the Scottish Shopper pipe case back in the 70's and early 80's.

Scottish Shopper orders often arrived accompanied with a charming note from Mrs Ironside. I don't know if that company is still around but my understanding is that Jack Ironside died a number of years ago.

How different it is nowadays with everything in the world on a screen right in front of you!

**HarborSpringsPiper** · 14th November 09, 06:50 AM

Originally Posted by OC Richard

My first set of pipes was ordered through Scottish Shopper as well: Lawries made in the waning years of that company, when they were making rather poor pipes.

Yep, I think a standard military set with artificial ivory was about $450 in the early '70s. Ah, the good old days . . .

Sorry for going OT, Mods! We now return you to the thread.

**Inchessi** · 14th November 09, 07:02 AM

Originally Posted by Rex_Tremende

Because I wanted to.

Regards,
Rex.

Now that is the main reason!

**JolyStNicholas** · 14th November 09, 08:13 AM

When I discovered me family went back so far in Scottish history. I decided to carry that forward and pass that on to my son!

**Jaggy thistle** · 14th November 09, 10:17 AM

Ever since I was a little boy I wanted a kilt as some of my friends wore the kilt to school my mother would not get me one as she said it was too dear and I would not wear it anyway so after a while I started doing little jobs for people to get some money Iwent to the Barras market in Glasgow and bought an ex army HLIkilt for £5 bought a boy scout sporran hose and flashes I was very shy at that age and wanted to wear something under the kilt so I went to Frasers store to buy underwear hoping I would be served by a man , no such luck!so I had to ask for girls school knickers very embarrasing!! all worth while as I went on holiday and wore the kilt all the time I do not bother with the underwear now but Istill wear the kilt everyday

**GMan** · 14th November 09, 03:24 PM

Been trying to think ever since this thread appeared. I just look and feel sexy while Kilted.

**Rob Wright** · 14th November 09, 10:39 PM

It all started with a girl. And grew into discoveries about my heritage.

Rob

**Lachlan09** · 15th November 09, 01:36 AM

I wore a kilt for the first time in the 1950’s in Musselburgh, when I was about 3 or 4 years old. I hated it !!! For a start, my mum washed me and didn’t dry me right, so I was a bit crabbit ! The kilt came with an attached cotton bodice which stopped the kilt sailing down over my wee hurdies, but it felt horrible. Worst of all, due to the bodice and kilt being attached, I couldn’t wear a boys shirt to tuck in, I had to wear a waist-length blouse !!! I was miserable. I felt stupid. I swore never to wear a kilt again. That lasted about 10 years, till my parents made amends my buying me my first proper kilt.