Comments on: Men in Kilts

By: Charles Savoie

Charles Savoie — Sun, 27 Apr 2008 02:38:36 +0000

There is a Greek counterpart to the Kilt. In response to #19, it could be called a miniskirt—it’s the Fustanella and can be seen on Greek dolls on E-Bay and travel websites. Like the kilt it also wraps around. However, unlike the kilt, the main Fustanella (all white) has pleats all around, including across the front. This pleated front doesn’t make it “female” nor does the flat front of the Kilt make it “male.” Those are purely arbitrary associations. For thousands of years men wore skirts always as men not as women. Trousers are a horseback riding invention. Since we don’t use horses for transportation very often, why are we STUCK with trousers? Only because there exists a “Mental Health” (conformity) CULT.

By: C.M. Wright

C.M. Wright — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 19:38:47 +0000

Have seen many on TV, but have not seen a man in Scots dress up until about 5 years ago at a Celtic gathering. I have to say even though I don’t have the body for one, I would certainly love to wear one. I think they are very masculine and certainly very attractive. The authorities on wearing them say they are great if worn in good taste. Hey ! Men why not.

By: Laurie

Laurie — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 16:13:24 +0000

Thomas:
Totally late here (’cause I hardly log on over the weekend), but wanted to apologize for misunderstanding the sporran thing. That’s what I get for reading too fast, possibly without my glasses on. :(

Awesome primer on the kilt and associated accouterments, though. :) I did actually know what a sgian dubh is, and I think I might have the pronunciation close — I had no idea what it translated to, though. And that’s cool And history, with regards to Scott and the total reversal on Highland culture the royals did. Thank you. :) *wanders happily away with new history stuffed in her head*

By: tigtog

tigtog — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 06:39:32 +0000

Hexy, my own Scots ancestry is much further removed than yours, but both my father and my uncle have and wear kilts, and my uncle is an accomplished piper (my dad has a bagpipe, but let’s just say I can understand its classification as a weapon of war). I did a bit of Highland Dancing as a child, and still know all the words of many many Scottish folk songs.

I guess the main reason we don’t identify as ethnic Scots though is that we, like most other Aussies whose families have been here for ages, have intermarried with other ethnic groups. My dad’s heritage is English and Scots-Irish, my Mum’s heritage is English and Welsh, so I’m a British bitser: I suspect the attachment to the kilts is as much the romance of the Highlands as anything else.

By: Peanutcat

Peanutcat — Sun, 17 Feb 2008 22:06:36 +0000

John Barrrowman! *squee!!!!!*

By: Orodemniades

Orodemniades — Sun, 17 Feb 2008 21:46:42 +0000

Thomas, my husband was born in Kirkcaldy!

By: hexy

hexy — Sun, 17 Feb 2008 11:57:41 +0000

We don’t really see the adoption of Scots culture by Aussies of Scottish heritage. My mum, grandparents and aunt all headed over here as adults, but those of us born here don’t tend to identify as Scottish. The same applies to Aussies of Scots heritage that I’ve met. Most of my cousins simply say they’re Scottish… I identify as mixed race Indigenous, but my Scottish ancestry is important to me. Hell, I spent so much time around my grandparents as a kid that I had a thick Scottish accent right up until I started school.

It’s certainly not an across the board thing, though… I know a lot of people from European backgrounds who were born here, but identify as the nationality of their parents.

*shrug* I don’t really have a perspective on what people “should” do in that regard, as it’s pretty much none of my business. I’ve just noticed a big difference between how Australians and Americans with Scottish parents or ancestry tend to identify, and puzzled on the explanation.

By: louise

louise — Sun, 17 Feb 2008 00:47:35 +0000

BTW, what you wrote about the Scottish kilt was very informative. I have 2 Scottish lines (Gordons and Houstons); both came to America around late 1600′s- early 1700′s. So any pieces of first-hand knowledge much appreciated! :)

By: louise

louise — Sun, 17 Feb 2008 00:38:48 +0000

Gee, I thought I was just agreeing with Charlotte’s points, not laying down an edict. Where the hell did I “insist”?

Loosen up, dude…

By: Falyne

Falyne — Sun, 17 Feb 2008 00:33:30 +0000

Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm…………………………..

Yeah, that’s about all I can say.

Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm………..