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Anyone here wear a kilt?

#21
It's so weird to think of an Irishman wearing a kilt.

I used to wear one when I was Pipe Sergeant of a pipe band in CT. Had to give it back when I quit, but I have a really old one on extended loan from the former pipe major.
 
#25
The clan and tartan thing is largely a 19th century myth. Clans had more to do with the wealthy exerting power over the poor than it had to do with relatedness. Tartans were largely invented to cash in on English Victorian fashion for Scottish dress. Kilts were limited to the highlands and bore little similarity to the kilts you see today.

As to "belonging" to a clan... Bear in mind the Scots population of America is largely made up of descendents of people who were dispossessed by the landowners/former clan leaders. I wouldn't wear a badge of loyalty to someone who kicked my ancestors out of their homes, burning them to make way for sheep. Even if they used the same surname as me.
 
#26
dlloyd said:
The clan and tartan thing is largely a 19th century myth. Clans had more to do with the wealthy exerting power over the poor than it had to do with relatedness. Tartans were largely invented to cash in on English Victorian fashion for Scottish dress. Kilts were limited to the highlands and bore little similarity to the kilts you see today.

As to "belonging" to a clan... Bear in mind the Scots population of America is largely made up of descendents of people who were dispossessed by the landowners/former clan leaders. I wouldn't wear a badge of loyalty to someone who kicked my ancestors out of their homes, burning them to make way for sheep. Even if they used the same surname as me.
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I'm interested in what you say. You obviously know far more than me about Scottish history. I didn't realise that all the former clan leaders were bad guys and responsible for the clearances. It's high time we started teaching our kids properly. I'll maybe let my kilt gather mothballs. Thanks.
 
#28
Hutton Steel said:
I'm interested in what you say. You obviously know far more than me about Scottish history.
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I don't know about that. My comments weren't in response to your post. They were more aimed at the notion that there is some sort of inherited entitlement required to wear a specific tartan.

If you want to wear a kilt, go for it. It doesn't matter if you're 100% Scottish, 100% Irish or 100% Martian. If you think it looks good, get one.

Admittedly, one of the odder sights I've seen is a party of 15 Japanese tourists in full highland regalia wandering around Asda in Dundee.

I didn't realise that all the former clan leaders were bad guys and responsible for the clearances.
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Not all, but many were, or rather their descendents were, the clan system having been pretty much dismantled following the 45 uprising.

To be fair, while lots of people were "pushed" off their land, lots were "pulled" by the promise of a better life elsewhere.

It's high time we started teaching our kids properly. I'll maybe let my kilt gather mothballs. Thanks.
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No need to get huffy. :)
 
#33
MJ5150 said:
Where does the dude from Braveheart fit in with all of this clan talk? :D

-Mike
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Wallace was of Welsh ancestry (no clan), would not have painted his face blue (way too late) and would not have worn a kilt (way too far south).

Historically horrible film. Cool fight scenes though.
 

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