Who Does Wearing the Kilt Upset?
HTML-код
- Опубликовано: 5 янв 2023
- Should you worry about upsetting people by wearing the kilt?
Shaun and Rocky discuss attitudes people have towards the kilt as a cultural symbol. Is it a holy cow or just fashion? How do Americans and Scots differ in their approaches to wearing the kilt and what it means?
* Tartans in this video:
Rocky: Stewart Old Colours
www.usakilts.com/gallery/13-1...
Shaun: American Dream
www.usakilts.com/kilts-and-pa...
Shaun’s Vlog:
/ @shauntakesamerica
--------------------------------------------------
Started in 2003, USA Kilts is a team of kilt makers and artisans located in Spring City PA. In 2017, we made it our mission to build community and bring kilts and Celtic culture to the forefront with our YT show: Kilts & Culture.
www.USAKilts.com
Find Your Tartan!: www.usakilts.com/galleries
RUclips: / usakiltsofficial
Facebook: / usakilts
Instagram: / usakilts
E-mail: sales@usakilts.com
More kilt wearing, less kilt Karens. Wear what you like.
You cannot appropriate our culture 🏴 when we have offered it so freely to the world 🌍
Well said!
When people wear kilts we consider it a celebration of our culture instead of an appropriation of our culture.
Well, more forced it on the rest of the world 👍
@@tamdunk that was the english, we were as much colonised as the rest of the empire
@Alaybaba 2468 I dunno, I always saw us as the bully's pal. It's easy to blame it on the English, but the Scots are just as responsible. Look at all the street names in Glasgow as an example.
I wore my kilt on a Caribbean cruise in December, mainly for formal night. Being the Caribbean, it was not an outfit that is typically seen, and I was a little worried about standing out in the wrong way. As I was getting into an elevator, I passed an older couple that was getting out, and as the doors began to close, the woman turned back to me and said, in the most adorable Scottish accent, 'I like your kilt!' Absolutely made my week, and I felt so good about it onward.
I wore mine on a visit to Funchal, Madeira, Hogmanay 2008, it was so well recieved with people asking me if they could take a photo, evn the local police. As the weather was so mild I wore a normal shirt and a waistcoat.
WOMEN love them, can tell you that, can't believe how many women lift the kilt, if we grabbed a woman's dress or skirt we would be arrested. Still they can lift all they want (SNICKERING)
It always puts smiles on people's faces, people come up to me all the time and ask about the kilt.
Educated, travelers, classy people go out of their way to come chat.
Super comfortable you will love the energy it brings.
@Captain Pa...
Happy to don traditional dress and had pretty much similar experiences just across the border in England, (much to the astonishment of many), as ethnically mixed race and born a Scot, yet father's family branch haven't ever possessed a tartan and were quite indifferent to making any fuss about it; however, did adopt one from the19th century onwards, which anyone literally from Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, (who was half Scottish via maternal side), to any yeoman / 'commoner' is at liberty to wear.
@@ivanrowe2880
It's a risky throw of the dice to follow the known ruling on the wearing of a kilt, especially at high profile events; as it's nearly always well bred ladies (of every age imaginable) at formal events, who desire to satisfy their curiosity about the 'regimental' aspect of so-called highland attire. Female victims of that sort of (actually thoroughly illegal) behaviour, would scream blue murder!
I wear my kilt on every formal night. We cruise a lot. I have never had any problem. In fact people like to see it and converse. Many want pics with me. Keep wearing it.
I live in Scotland, near Glasgow, the only person I've ever offended by wearing a kilt, was the English guest a neighbour had over, who told me it was illegal for me to wear them daily 😂
HAHAHA . Thanks for sharing that ! I have run across one or two twits here in Canada as well .
Always some whingy English person. I'm English and wanted to get married in a kilt, had one of my closest mates moan at me for wearing one.
@@Jake5762 I'm born and raised in England, although entirely Irish on my mother's side and (possibly) Scottish on father's side. One kilt bought, two being made due over next few months... 🙂
heh heh
This is so funny! Thanks for posting
Im a scot, warms my heart to see folk enjoying my culture. Go for it and enjoy it. Scots fought hard to preserve there existence from extinction so it's always good to see it thrive.
Thank you sir, as a person of Scottish heritage, I honor my clan by wearing the MacKeznie of Ross / Cromarty tartan
@@happychest239 wear it with pride!
"Scots fought hard to preserve there existence from extinction" That gets a wee bit precarious by the day. If the government down in London had anything to say about it, Scotland would be abolished and we would all be reclassified as Northern British.
@@jackdubz4247 Pretty much what they tried to do anyways
Loved filming this video - everyone just needs to do their own thing and ignore the detractors 🙌🏴
I must have missed this but how did the connection with USA Kilts come about?
I agree. People need to relax and stop feeling offended about everything.
No Scot would ever be offended by anyone wearing a kilt. The end
It's just a bit of fabric.
you would never offend a Scot by wearing a Kilt, it would be seen as a compliment to wear a Kilt. I am Scottish and have designed a few kilts in my time 🙂
@@Arthurian. that being the case then those you know should be ashamed of themselves
I am Asian Indian but I invested in buying the Douglas tartan and the full bells & whistles that come with it. I worked on a cruise ship for 4 months and the main guests were German. 99% of them had never seen a guy in a full kilted outfit and every week when we did a new itinerary, we had new guests and I would wear my kilt on the formal nights and I had my photo taken about 200-300 times a night each cruise. I love the kilt and will never stop wearing it!
That is SO cool! Anyone can wear the kilt. It's open to everyone, in my opinion as a MacDonald, and a former member of a Canadian Army Highland Infantry Regiment.
What Regiment were you in Michael ?
@Rick Moore Hi! I was in 2nd Bn Nova Scotia Highlanders, now known by its earlier name The Cape Breton Highlanders. It's an Army Reserve unit because we don't have Regular Force Highland units anymore.
@@ProfMichaelMacD Awesome . Thanks . I was pretty sure all the highland units were reserve but at least we didn't roll them up into one like Scotland . I have a Cameron kilt to honour my friends father in the Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa and my other friend's father was in the Essex Scottish prior to WW2 . That Reg . happens to use the MacGregor tartan that is my Mother's tartan . Cheers .
@@rickmoore3730 Very cool!
I have really enjoyed appropriating the Scottish culture while wearing my Welsh tartan kilt that was created 25 or 30 years ago. I also really enjoy appropriating the Hawaiian shirt. I love Mexican food as well. What an amazing world we live in!
Well put! EVERYBODY turns Irish on March 17th, and Mexican on May 5th too.!
@@angryagain68not everybody.
@@Spellcheekswammablamma Near as makes no difference.
Appropriating by definition is taking without permission. I honestly think you are "appreciating", honoring, and celebrating other cultures. There's a line there but I think we're safe with kilts 🙂
@@Arthurian. Not sure what you are talking about. I NEVER mentioned alcohol. I guess you are speaking from personal experience. “Idiot”.
This is a great video...
As a Black man that wears kilts often (I currently have 8 of them, in universal tartans & solid colors) I've run into "those" unwanted opinions.
Throw in the race factor & that just compounds the problem. As both of you have stated, on many of an occasion, if the Scots don't care, why would some "decendant" over here care ? Wear what you want & own it .
Thank you for all of the great videos !
As a Scotsman, I'm flattered that you would want to 'appropriate' any part of our culture. I don't actually own a kilt, though I am getting a Harris Tweed suit for an upcoming wedding.
There are many Black people in Scotland and have been for a long time. Wear your kilts as often as you want and if anyone questions your right to wear them tell them that this Scotsman said that it's totally fine.
As a descendant over here: Glad you're doing it, glad you're enjoying it, and I hope you continue to for a long time.
Personally I would rather the culture be shared, enjoyed and the tradition continued on by people who appreciate it!
All you have to do is watch a Scottish regiment march by to see a number of awesome stern black warriors in regimental kilts. I love it!
@@JR-bj3uf
I have watched several & have seen the members of the regiments who are people of color & female...
Huzzah !!!!
This reminds me of a few years back of the young lady, an American of European decent, who wore a traditional Chinese dress to her prom. And low and behold the "gate keepers" came out (who were, not so ironically, also European American) complaining she should not be wearing that dress. A number of actual Chinese women came to her defense tell them to STFU because they were actually honored by the whole thing.
Yep.
The person who first called her out was actually an American of Chinese descent who tweeted, "My culture is not your fucking prom dress!" I know a lot of people, when it comes to cultural appropriation controversies, tend to say, "Well, you know it's mostly white people who get offended, right?" Ummmm...no. Plenty of POC become outraged over it.
@@AmandaFromWisconsin I know one POC did that, then every single other comment was like a white dude.
I’m Métis and would absolutely love to share my Native American heritage with people. Wish more people were like this.
@@zurieschwartz4101 what kind of Meti? I know French plus First Nation. If you want you can write about your heritage here, I think it would be interesting.
I have two kilts. When I put a pair of jeans on it's as though I just put the doors back on the jeep (jeep owners will understand). Hands down the most comfortable articles of clothing I own, and I receive compliments often.
I understand.😁
I agree. One of the biggest issues guys I talk to about wearing kilts is that they are worried they will offend us Scottish Americans or homeland Scots. But I love it when I see other people showing interest in the culture I love so dearly!
I agree I love meeting others who love kilts and the culture
I’m Métis (Native American) with Scottish heritage and would love to share my culture with non Natives. I wish more indigenous folks were like this.
I'm getting married in Scotland in July and I chose to wear a kilt because it means a lot to me to honor my Scottish ancestry. My middle name is Graham and this name has been passed down on my dad's mother's side from family members immigrating from Scotland. I admit as I was looking at kilt renting (hire) I was thinking to myself, "I wonder as an American if this would offend some Scots who may potentially see this as inappropriate." Thankfully this video put that fear to rest and I'm excited to put honor my ancestors tartan as a symbol of their history and how far it has come. Thank you for this video. I did my graduate studies in Edinburgh and my fiancé's mom lives there, so Scotland is a second home.
I am part Scottish and also a pagan. So I will get married in a handfasting ceremony.
I saw an elder couple on an Alaskan cruise I went on and he and his wife were in full formal Scottish clothing. Kilts and all. It was during one of the dinner nights, you have a dinner table and they serve you a full course meal it was all really fancy. I was quite surprised to see a couple like that and I was very happy to see it.
As a direct descendant of the house of Scott, you honor my clan's heritage by wearing my clans tartan. Thank you
Excellent! I printing this out and keeping it in my sporan just in case.
Aye, I am a descendant of the MacKeznie's of Ross and Cromarty I think it is heartwarming to see people from the diaspora (myself included) wearing the Kilt, or more specifically, the Seaforth kilt
I live in the south interior of British Columbia. I wear either a black utility kilt or a grey highlander plaid. As far as I know, I'm the only one wearing a kilt in a town of 30K. I wear one to work as a chef.
I've had more compliments from the ladies than I ever got wearing pants.
Helping a friend's kilt booth for a faire season, almost every day I said "It ain't that deep." There is some depth because of history and traditions, but how much depth you put into it is subjective.
This reminds me of watching a jamaican hairdresser in England a few years back talk about how americans have started trying to decide who he was allowed to spread his cultural artefacts to, even though Jamaican culture has been freely exported across the world for at least over 50 years now.
Depends on the American. We're not all the same.
I plan to wear my family tartan kilt thatI just got from USA Kilts to Scotland in April. So glad to hear that the Scots
do not care. Thanks.
I'm an everyday kilter, and have been for a couple years. I get things like this frequently, people worrying about getting the right one or offending, and my response has become this: The kilt is as much in your heart and head as it is on your hips. Don't worry about it.
I've told a number of people to wear the Service Tartan of the Service that their Dad served in - and just tell people that you honoring Dad - people will love it! - if they have a problem with it, they are not worth worrying about.
My father was in the RCAF and while it is a nice tartan I am not too keen . I did have a kilt made to honour a friends father in a Canadian highland Regiment and my mother's tartan is a Canadian Regimental tartan as well that also honours a friends father .
@ USA Kilts & Celtic Traditions
Rocky, thank you so much for the words you said. "Don't let your happiness be defined by someone else." And as you say "You do you."
You guys have really helped me emotionally and mentally since I've been on yalls channel, and started being kilted.
Shaun, thank you for your words too. It's nice to hear there's not much "gatekeepers" in Scotland. My family is from Clan Gunn but I personally really like the Campbell tartan and several others. It just depends on what I'm wearing and the occasion for me.
Very kind words! Thank you!
That 1% of people who will be offended by a kilt will be offended by the campbell tartan, I personally dont care being one of the 99% but the campbells are seen as traitors all across scotland. just something to be aware of if you ever go over to scotland and want to travel across the highlands, there are several pubs ive been to that will not allow you in wearing that tartan or even if you have that surname unfortunately.
I am the first piper in my schools history and I played my first Remembrance Day at my school back in November, and when the ceremony was done this one kid who hates me with all her guts for some reason came up and said to me, nice dress and I walked away and yelled haters gonna hate.
Wear it with pride and enjoy it , they are there for everyone and don't let anyone tell you any different. I'm am proud and delighted you wear our kilt and pass on your knowledge the way you guys do. Cheers
Good morning guys, just want to say congratulations on this video, not only for the common sense and good information given here but also for pairing with the (imho) number one Scottish vlogger, Shaun. Choice of tartan is not so important unless you are attending a specific function, clan meeting or a society (regimental for example) event. I am a clan member but also wear generic tartans.
As you rightly said, it is not the concern of others which tartan you choose, but don't go to a MacDonald clan meeting dressed in MacLeod tartan!
......or in a Campbell tartan!!!
Wore my Galbraith kilt to the Biltmore Christmas Dinner and during the tour that followed three different people asked for photos with me! Discovered the German national tartan and gave it as a gift to my daughter in law who immediately sent me a photo of her wearing it and a big smile!
I was on top of Arthur’s seat in Edinburgh in a kilt, it took me half an hour to climb it, 2 hours to get down as so many people wanted to be photographed with me. Whether they thought I was an attraction I don’t know, so I’m sure that day the most photographed person in Edinburgh was an English born, Irish descent man on holiday. Nobody batted an eye lid. If anything everyone I bumped into wanted a photo with me. The tartan I was wearing was Black Watch
Lol.
When I was in Scotland, the only person that was insulted by the wearing of the kilt was our tour guide when a douchebag on our tour bus kept referring to a kilt as a "skirt." After the 3rd time he said this, the tour guide finally snapped: "It's not a skirt, it's a bloody skirt! If you want to skirt, I know some bars where plenty of men will wear women's clothing!"
lol.
Never worn one, nor had an urge, but now I do!
The important thing is to wear tartan with due respect. If you are wearing a kilt as a joke or to lampoon, then we do care.
Brilliant ending there, Rocky and Shawn!
I love you guys and I love Shaun from Edingurgh!! Thanks for the great videos!!
I'm Scottish, I live in Glasgow now. I love wearing the kilt and enjoy watching people world wide also partaking in wearing our national dress. Do not worry about offending anyone in Scotland. We are tough as nails and don't get offended easily. Enjoy the kilt!
@@lorddaver5729 alright mate, no one is going to get upset and cast you out as a traitor to Scotland just for pointing out that Scottish people don't walk around wearing kilts all day.
You're right about the history of the kilt but I think you're a bit off implying that it's mostly only Highlanders who wear kilts at weddings. It's very common (though by no means a given) for men to wear my kilts at a wedding in any part of Scotland, not just the Highlands.
I'm a Highlander living in the central belt who owns his own kilt, for what it's worth ;)
@@lorddaver5729 I have to admit the intelligence of the US is slipping due to the amount of time spent on gender studies and less on things like history, geography, and math and other subjects that would actually help someone succeed in life. But in our defense, I've heard of europeans thinking everyone in Texas has an oil well.
I understand dumb questions. I’ve had Europeans and Asians ask if I live in a teepee or if Native Americans still exist. Some of Asians and Europeans don’t even know about us. I feel you on this and I absolutely understand your frustration. I would suggest taking the time to educate people. 👍🏽
I had a friend that was starting to make Kilts. She told me to get the pattern and get what cloth that I wanted to have it made with. I went to "Hancock Fabric" and found a "Plaid" in the discount bin. It was 10yds exactly...got it at 50cents a yard. She made it and it was perfect and used only 6/7 yards so she also made a sash also.
People asked me every time I wore it what clan it was...lol...I would say Hancock Fabric 50cents a yard.
That said, a few people said it reminded them of the Frasier clan's Hunter pattern.
Wore a plain kilt on a first date, years ago. A Scotsman complimented me on it. He said he wished more people would wear them.
Ignore anyone idiot who get's offended, wear your kilts with pride whoever you are wherever you are I love seeing people wearing kilts.
I made a big play at a wedding in Glasgow recently. I have Clan Ferguson heritage going back to the 1690s and as recently as my great grandmother (mother and her mother from that side still Scots, lost the name due to marriage), really wanted to try it out. Turns out the Ferguson tartans are not kept for rent, neither was the tartan of the family I married into (who were one of those families who gave a positive shit, as in they were well aware of what their clan tartan was, and they all have either a kilt or trous made in their tartan, but they wouldn't notice anyone doing it "wrong" or recognise other clans'). I chose a non-clan tartan from the list that outsiders are allowed to wear (Flower of Scotland, close to Ancient Ferguson, very nice). I'm not a small guy, a kilt is probably the best I've ever looked in formal attire, to the point where a huge Glaswegian security guard called me over and said that I looked the business. Been riding that compliment for weeks.
Problem is, here's the big play, I'm English, and I sound it.
I'd be lying if my life wasn't flashing before my eyes at the moment I had to respond, but I'd also be lying if I said the guy turned out any scarier than a teddy bear. Really glad I did it, will be looking to do it again. Once we start going to a few weddings a year I'll definitely be considering having one made up and buying it, it's a comfortable get up for a big guy and it worked as a great conversation starter.
Plus the ceilidh band came up for a chat about it later on and musicians are always good patter. Said we were the most English crowd they'd ever played to!
American here. I was wearing a nontraditional tartan kilt at Disney World this summer and ran into a group of Scots. They were very nice and asked about my family history. They were very interested and said they loved my kilt.
All I can say is "I like to wear the kilt." It looks as good as a tux or a three piece suit. The majority of my family was kicked out of Scotland during the clearances. To top it off I am a piper. I am often in my band uniform with my Ramsay tartan kilt. As for who can wear the kilt without offending? Anyone of any nationality can wear the kilt if they do so with due respect. It's Highland dress and looks just a good in the lowlands of Texas as it does in the Highlands of Scotland.
Good metaphor for a lot of things in life. When I can afford one, I will wear it with pride!
Told one man that he could wear the Coast Guard Tartan for His Service , and his wife and kids could wear the California Tartan - He was SOOOOO Excited about that. And another member of the Nat'l Guard who was a Marine Vietnam Vet and Hispanic about the Marine Corps Tartan and that neckties were available - He was SOOOO Excited about that!
Awesome!
Went to an all inclusive resort for my honeymoon in the Dominican republic , was there during new years eve and wore my kilt for the evening, most people liked it but were just disappointed that I wasn't Scottish . Took some pictures with staff.Even had One actual Scottish man come up to talk to me because his wife had pointed me out to him.
I love this channel!!!!
Opened this video and “Hey, I recognize that guy” Great to see Shaun!
I was at the Bristol Renaissance faire and was looking for my first Kilt when I heard another guy asking what family another guy is looking for and he said no one specific I’m not Scottish and another customer said unless you’ve been told it’s ok by a Scottish person you shouldn’t wear one. I yelled across the room and said “I’m of Scottish heritage and everyone in this room is invited to wear a kilt!” The store owner thought it was hilarious.
It's sad that America has went from accepting other people's clothing to complaining about people wearing other countries clothes. I for one love a kilt in the summer especially when it's over 70 degrees.
Scot here, as long as you aren't doing it to mock us by all means wear your kilt proudly!
Let's face it, even if it is to mock us, we can still handle it.
The only "family" tartan kilt that I wear is Clan Lamont which is my mother's clan. My father's family is originally from County Kildare, Ireland and I often wear a kilt with the Irish National tartan. I also own kilts or utilikilts in Honor Of Scotland, New World Celt, U.S. Army (I am am Army retiree) and solid black. But for me, which kilt I wear on any given day is which one I feel like that particular day.
Personally I think one reason no one says anything negative about my kilt or my choice of tartan is that I am 71 years old and no one intentionally annoys a senior citizen in America.
With the Screwing up with anything you start new, remember that so long as you're not doing the wrong with malicious intent then I've found it always to be something to forgiven and helping you out.
I'm mostly French Canadian and a quarter Italian but I have some Forbes in me. I could wear the Forbes tartan.
I’m Métis and would share my culture with you. You should absolutely wear a Forbes tartan if you want to.
That's helpful! Thanks for that!
As an American Scotsman I completely agree with that
I'm halfway between the two. I wear certain ones in certain occasions and make sure I understand what they are versus wearing just anything or keeping myself from anything. Biggest thing I do Is make sure I wear it respectfully and if anyone has something to say I tell them to feck off
In my experience, a lot of people will choose the tartan that matches their surname if there is one, but that's about as deep as it goes. My surname is Robertson so I chose the Robertson tartan that I most liked the look of.
Even then, I doubt I could tell my tartan apart from another that uses similar colours.
Clans themselves aren't really a serious business thing in Scotland nowadays anyway. For most of us, our connection with a clan doesn't really go much deeper than "yeah, that's my surname".
Oh yeah, I forgot to mention though, I own a fridge magnet with my clan name on it that allows me to speak to animals and go on adventures through time. But other than that it's not all that serious
@@Arthurian. Some always has to be a victim, ah?
Just got back from Scotland as part of a vacation cruise. We were at Inverness, Lerwick (in the Shetlands) and two days in Queensferry/Edinburgh... Wore my kilt(s) all through the adventure, and outside of three other guys in Old Town Edinburgh, NO ONE else was wearing one. I CAN tell you at the other stops, the locals walking their dogs, driving down the street, even the checkout person in Tesco were VERY happy to see someone IN a kilt!! SUPER supportive and friendly, with drivers honking their horn and giving me the 'thumbs up', coming across the street to say 'Hello' ... I even had a Cockney from London in New Town come up to me asking where the National Gallery and King George Bridge was (thinking I was local)... My wife was just giddy when that happened and said "You're absolutely LOVING this, aren't you??"
As a person of Scottish extraction I think it's wonderful that people who are part of the diaspora honor their heritage.
I’m Native American and have Scottish ancestors and I want to honor them. I love my white ancestors too.
This was interesting. My mothers Father was a Scott. I kind of think his grand parents had to start all over when they got to the US. They settled in Texas along the Gulf. He married into the Howards in late 40's and had my mom. I regret now not getting all of this history, but mom passed before I could get it all. I have no children, so it's not that important to get it now. I never knew my grandfather Scott. He was a cowboy living in a chuck wagon, running a large ranch as foreman. He was not big on ancestry. So, I have wondered if a kilt would ever be right for me. I'm intrigued by them. But I'm comfy in Wrangler Jeans and boots. But occasionally, it would be fun to dress up.
I wore a kilt for the first time and I just didn't care what people say. But I got so many compliments.
With my family’s history , I can wear the smith, Ross McGregor Hill tartans also the black watch as my grandfather was in the black watch regiment x
Americans fear offending others, but also love to be offended in some ways. My hubby started wearing Utility kilts around the house and some tartans for special occasions and loves it.. He has more kilts than pants I'm pretty sure. LOL His thing he always says is that he keeps reminding himself not to allow a hypothetical argument interfere with his joy as long as it does not infringe on anyone else (paraphrasing). Kilt on!
Sometimes cultural appropriation is ok, if it is respectful. As an Irishman, I am deeply touched every year, when half of the American population pretends to be an oppressed alcoholic, just so the English owned Guinness brewery can inflate its turnover. Thank you America ❤️
Shaun still there. GOOD!
I’m in Australia and the ancestry DNA thing came back as you’re 47% Scottish. The rest is Irish, Welsh and Cornish (Celtic nations). I then recalled that my grandma would often mentioned clan McKay and the Isle of Skye and cursed ‘dirty low landers’ for their treachery even after many generations of living here in a new land. I reached out to one of the other unmanned ancestral clan predominate in my family tree in America on social media a few years ago and was surprised by the negativity, skepticism and distrust to be honest. We have a highland gathering each year coincidentally and randomly my daughter was involved in Scottish dancing. The festival is quite popular. Each major clan has stalls and several pipe bands and dancers attend. Now with the ancestry DNA results it turns out I have half a dozen clan tartans to choose from. If I go to the festival this spring I might choose a great Kilt style from the 17th century with a Cornish national tartan colour so as to not offend the more stuffy types you mention.
WELL DONE guys! Probably the best video on kilts and tartan you've made. Already drumming up a TON of interest.
Great to have Sean there to dismiss this nonsense of stereotyping. And Rocky, that bit at the end..... top-drawer beautiful!
Hooray!
The "family tartan is sacred" myth finally and eloquently exposed. Good. Because the tartan "fix-it" job was largely invented by W Scott, the Victorians and the cunning little money makers, God bless 'em.
And the final message. Whoever you are........
Wear kilts and more tartan girls and boys. Great for the look, great for the cloth mills, great for the kilt makers.
AND great for Scotland.
And talking of girls and boys, why was it always ok for girls to wear ANY tartan and not the boys?
One last dumb myth.
No, not all Scots eat porridge for breakfast, drink scotch, play or love the bagpipes!
Not all Scots drink scotch or play the bagpipes? My world has been shattered!
I am joyously researching my ancestry. I’ve always known my heritage is all fair skinned, red head or blond and freckled. No real surprise when my DNA came back as a wonderful mutt of Scots, English, Welsh and Irish. I’ve now traveled back down my family lines to include, Angus, Scott, Mathers and Law. (Maybe Comyn). Once I had names… it has been a great journey into tartans and family mottos. There is such a beautiful rich history from my Scottish roots. Since the Mathers are my direct line, I think they were in alliance with Barclay, and I love their hunting plaids. (Although the dress yellow plaid doesn’t sing to my hear and makes me look sallow). Lol.
I believe most American descendant wish to honor the past and feel a sense of connection with history that is more than 200 years old. That is why the kilt Karen’s get into such a twitter about plaid.
Thank you for validating my sense of have fun with it.
My partner is Australian, his genealogy (I've done his tree) is about 80% Scottish and North of England. I wish he'd wear a kilt, gorgeous garment.
I don't think there needs to be this continual talk of offending. Americans seem to think of the "Rules" a little much Re kilts etc. Truth be know there aren't many. Dont be paranoid of offending, the only people that get offended are firstly angry people anyway. Just wear your kilt in a nice tidy manner with pride.
My tenuous link to "Scottish blood" comes on my mother's side in the form of a great great grandfather who married an Irish gal and settled in County Cork. From there eventually my mother was born and they moved to the States when she was 3 in the mid 1920s. (Therefore while not ancient, I myself am no Spring chicken) my father's side is a little more mixed of French, Dutch and UK who all settled in the South a couple of generations before the Civil War.
I said all that to say this just by going by my last name or my mother's maiden name I really don't fancy the official tartans that have, at some point, been assigned to those clans, so I have chosen a couple of others.
In 40 years of wearing them I've only had one person politely challenge me on it. My responsen was that rather than be offended I would hope that a person, if it is a tartan belonging to their clan, would feel "honored" that I chose it...assuming that I'm not trying to be a poser with that clan.
Also, other than the military, Clan tartan's only started to come about in the very late 1700s to the early 1800s.
And sometimes they didn't really know which tartan to pick, but maybe there was an old painting of some ancestor from a 100 years earlier wearing s random tartan. And so they would replicate that as near as they could, declaring it to be THE family tartan.
Also, back in the day before all that, when clan feuding was a much bigger thing, walking around in clothing that definitely identified you as a member of a certain family/clan could get a you a knife in your back.
I have a selection of different tartans with my kilts.
Recently I got a fèileadh mòr in my clan tartan (Fraser) which I am expecting someone to pick up on as technically they are pre clan tartan.
It looks great though and gets many positive comments.
All I know is that Julie Fowlis said she liked my kilt. Everyone else in the world (except maybe my wife) doesn't matter to me.
Shawn my favorite Scot I’m glad your with my favorite kilt maker
Loved the end, it really drove the point home. One, I don't care that he's wearing the US pattern. Two, I actually think that's pretty awesome!
Plaid and tartan were anciently worn by Celtic people throughout a variety of places in the world. All throughout the British isles, Scotland, Wales, Ireland. Also anciently throughout many places throughout continental Europe. Even some of the ancient tocharian mummies were found wearing plaid tartans.
Both sides of my family were in Scotland for generations. My branch of moms side moved to England around 940 years ago, and then my branch of the English fam migrated to America in the 1600s. And even though both sides seemed to have a thing with marrying the highest class English aristocrats, to the point that now I"m more genetically English than Scot, my ancestors were still stabbing each other with dirks in the 1700s in the new world. :)
I agree with these more relaxed attitudes. Too much bogus stuff is already attached to Highland dress -- I'd like to see Highland clothes treated equally as "normal", casual dress as well as fancy dress. There's plenty of room for both (respectful, tasteful) approaches! And we should ignore the self-appointed Tartan Police. My feeling has always been, if you have a tartan associated with your family name or history, and you like it, by all means wear it. But if not, I say do what Rob Roy would have done -- wear whatever pattern strikes your fancy! Scottish clans -- assuming they were in the tartan-wearing belt in the first place -- were not clad in regimented, tartan uniforms like schoolboys. (Apart from a very limited number of "livery" tartans we hear about now and then, or serving in the army. )
My heritage is primarily Irish (probably some Scottish) but raised in England. I went up to Paisley to order a kilt and the people there were quite open about it: if there's a tartan associated with your family name, then go with that if you like it. If you don't like it... find one you like and go with that
As a Scottish man, I love that americans express their Scottish heritage, If i was to go to america and seen another man wearing a kilt i would give him a big bonnie Scottish Hug!😁🤣 I am really happy to hear americans actually like wearing Kilts!😁 There's banter of course like people calling it a "Skirt" We can take that on the chin Lol! But when someone's literally looking down on our Scottish culture and being rude thats a NO go just like every other culture, Respect it embrace it Just don't disrespect ANY Culture! And please If you're american and think of visiting Scotland! Pleaee do we'll welcome you all with open arms! You see some us Scottish are portrayed off alot of countries as angry aggressive people..😂 lemme tell ya if you come to Scotland only thing you'll hate is the weather! Lol, As for the people you'll never go to a country more welcoming and loving as the Scottish! We are loved by many hated by many, But in reality we just love everyone, Even the English lol, We're always taking the p#ss out them as they do with us but End of the day we're neighbours and we love them.. really just gotta put up with them! Ko!😉🤣..
But Aye If you want to wear a kilt with respect You do you man! Just remember a true Scottsman wears nothing underneath the kilt! 😉🤣
Ye see oor boabies and baws are too big so we don't have a choice!🤣
Godbless You all Love from Bonnie wee Scotchland!😁🏴💙
Just had a buddy who knew I wear kilts, but had never really given it a second thought ask me this very question because he wanted to get into kilt wearing. I told him, wear what you'd like, I just wouldn't wear a clan tartan in Scotland. haha!
Who Does Wearing the Kilt Upset? Me wedding tackle. It's bleedin freezin.
I’m a Scot now living in America and I LOVE seeing guys wearing the kilt. It warms my heart and makes me proud to be Scottish 🏴
Being Scottish, it shouldn't upset anyone. I would take it as a compliment and as a nod to our culture. 🏴.
I think anyone should wear anything you want. I will say though people should understand what tartan they are wearing and realize (particularly if at a celtic festival) that people will probably assume you are a clan member if you are wearing a clan tartan. If I see a fellow Donlad Clan Kilt wearer I will likely greet them and possibly strike up a conversation. If I then find out they are not affiliated with the clan I am not gonna be upset but you might consider a different tartan if you dont want that attention. I have made this comparison before. You can go to the college bookstore and purchase an alumni polo shirt but if you wear it to a college function expect to be asked what year you graduated.
I found out from 23 and me that I have Celtic blood. Very far in the past, and I just picked a tartan that I like. And anyone who has a problem is not mine. And I'm Anerican and just want to honor my ancestry as I do for the other ancestors I have.
Scottish dude having a gander before a wedding here (only time wearing a kilt crosses my mind other than rugby) and these two are pretty much spot on. Only exception I would add is potentially regimental tartans can cause a bit of a issue. My partners dad got his hands on an army kilt complete with braid and got pulled up by a former service member in a sorta stolen valour moment. Not sure how easy it is to get your hands on regimental tartans though as not sure how widely stocked they are. The black watch seems to be in every hire shop….and the regiment has a bit of an iffy history. Anyway these guys 100% know more about kilts - just thought I’d chime in with a potential exception
My first kilt was that of the regiment that I joined. Years later, and after leaving the infantry, I decided to buy my own kilt. When I visited the kilt maker I was asked about which tartan I would choose. They were quite concerned that I have a connection to the clan. One choice was that of my former regiment. The next was my maternal grandfather's clan and lastly my maternal grandmother's clan. I did not need to worry about my father's side as he was an orphan who had effectively been brought in by my maternal grandparents. I could also have selected a regional tartan. I was happy to chose my grandfather's tartan. He introduced me to woodworking and was a major influence in my life. Besides that I prefer the tones in that tartan to the Buchanan that my grandmother would have offered!
I definitely had the impression that I was not welcome to chose a tartan to which I had no connection.
In a few months I will have gone from zero to three kilts... One is associated with my name, the other two are because I like the colours - one is a universal, one isn't.
I remember a story of a teacher at our school going to Russia back in the 80's, he had full kit on for going off the plane. Security really confused and detained him for an hour. Quite funny really, they gave him a vodka, he gave a nip out of his hip flask, but he wasn't allowed to wear the skene-dhu blade.
I take pride in my military background and always wear Army tartan or Fallen Hero’s Tartan, a solid color or universal are always a great idea!
I think he is spot on. I have two kilts, a utilikilt from DNKE, and a Nightwatch from the shop at Edinburgh. I have been "bullied" out of wearing them in the US, on several occasions, because of other fellow American's reactions.
In fact the last time I wore the KW was for a nice dinner out with my wife and friends. One lady walked by and huffed that it was a travesty for a man to wear a dress. Five minutes later another walked up and hugged me and said "thank you. You just made my birthday wearing that for me!"
You should've replied "the even bigger travesty is that some people can't keep their shitty opinons of another culture's heritage to themselves."
Did you know that many Flemish weavers emigrated to Scotland. Many of these were the basis of the quality fabrics from which many of the tartans were created. In Scotland there are quite a few locations that start with the name Flemming which refers to it.
Thank you for this. I have been interested Kilts for some time yet a little standoffish. Not any longer
I am American with names like Farquhar and MacClellan in my family tree. I think a man who is comfortable in a kilt displays an attractive level of manly confidence anf pride.
I have a black utility kilt, and a green "thrifty" kilt. I do have plans to buy a kilt in my Scottish clan colors. I am however neither Scottish or Irish. I find wearing a kilt very comfortable.
About a hundred years ago--no, but it seems that long!--I was on a flight from the midwest to the west coast USA--and happened to be wearing a nice pleated plaid skirt. I had my infant child on my lap. The gentleman seated next to me on the aisle turned to me, and said in a lovely Scots accent, "You know that's not a real plaid, dontcha?" I said, "I do." There's a lot of Scots in my family, but all on the distaff side, which doesn't count. McRae, bastard Setwart, etc. But girls don't count! But he looked at me and then took my child's hand, and said, "This one will be very wise from the wrist down. A mechanic, or an artist." And she was! The irony was that I later married a McGlothlin!
I Like that, I Like that, It makes me feel proud of the Scottish Heritage and to wear it so.
I enjoy how you guys are kind of an accidental men's mentoring club. All about kilts but it's really about being confident in yourself, not being bothered by others' judgements, being respectful of self and others. It's actually pretty lovely.
Don't know if we thought about it that way or have seen it put that succinctly, but we appreciate the compliment!
I'm Scottish. If people all over the world want to wear tartan, have at it. Please.
I dont concern myself with what people think of me. I wear what i want.
My understanding is the kilt was not liked by many…. Even the Scottish to some degree but it made a comeback.
I’ve also heard that the English actually started the kilt. I don’t know but I have always liked them. Will be receiving my first two ever in a couple of days.