Okay, I lied (get used to it)… one more post about Scotland.
We got a chance to go through a working mill that creates tartan cloth. We could look down on the automated looms a floor below us and see multiple tartans being made. Those machines are fast and, yet, it still seemed to be inching along. I can’t begin to imagine back “in the day” when they did the looming by hand.
Anymore, the wearing of kilts is reserved for formal occasions—weddings, funerals, NASCAR… Oh, and the tourist-y stuff—
Even so, there seems to be a pretty good market for the sale of kilts and all the various accoutrements and appendages that go with it. This mill had lots of those things for sale (yeah, I see all your feigned-shocked faces out there).
Girl Child tried to convince me to buy a full kilt get up. My brother owns a full kilt and extras, even wearing it at a niece’s wedding.
Being mildly interested, I looked around the shop to see what was what. First, I would have no clue what tartan to get. My family name is not a stand-alone tartan. Rather, we were a sept (sub-clan) of another Clan. But the name can also be linked to other Clans as well. Hmmm…
Second, I noticed that, for the ‘real’ wool kilt in full regalia, I’d have to spend upwards of $1500US. The ‘cheater’ cotton-polyester blend would cost $500US plus. And that without the all the accessories. Owch. Don’t think it’s going to happen… maybe someday.
Still hanging around, I nonetheless enjoyed looking at what was on the rack and the walls.
They had lots of kilts in Clan colors, but also a fair selection of non-traditional kilts – – camouflage, denim, and even leather. The latter would seem to me to be extra warm and… ummm… clingy, but I still entertained, briefly, the thought of getting one… just for fun, you know.
The extra stuff had lots of options as well. Knives, socks, belts, badges… And the sporran, the Scottish ‘purse’ worn with the kilt. The day-glo orange and day-glo blue caught my eye, but no.
And finally – – The clerk, noticing my interest, came up to me:
Clerk: Can I help ye, sir?
GnuKid: I’m just browsing, thank you… but, looking at all these accessories, I couldn’t help but notice—Where are the knickers?
Clerk: [sly smile, cocked eyebrow, low chuckle]
…I guess “the secret” is still safe…
Tags: cool breezes, fun with leather, kilts, Scotland, travel
The Wilds of Ohio 
June 23, 2008 at 07:17 |
Thought you’d kilt the Scotland topic, but glad to see it’s still kicking! For what it’s worth, a friend from work organizes the entertainment for the local Celtic Festival. When i volunteered to help, and showed up at the event, i was more than shocked to see him in a nice gray “work kilt” and black boots. Gotta say, it was pretty hot… probably not as pricey, either!
June 23, 2008 at 07:56 |
I dunno, if I’m going to wear a dress, I’d want to go the whole hog with sequins, a feather boa and heels. A kilt strikes me as an unhealthy compromise.
June 23, 2008 at 09:45 |
One of my favourite movie lines – from “Highlander” – goes something like “Aye laddie! The first time I went in tah battle I pee’d mah kilt!”
I bought a book last year that lists all of the Tartans of Scotland, trying to discern which one I could claim (or would claim me). It’s tougher nae being a purebred and all.
According to me da’, we’re descended from the Campbells – the bloody ones that murdered the MacDonalds at Glencoe.
I, too, have been counseled to obtain a kilt and all the accompanying accoutrements by girl children but have, as yet, not yielded to the suggestion.
June 23, 2008 at 09:56 |
the leather kilt would go down well at sydney´s mardi gras…
June 23, 2008 at 13:49 |
My brother is tying the knot next year, and is hard pressed to explain why he should not saunter down the aisle in kilt and sporran. Who says only the bride gets to wear a dress on her wedding day? besides, if you’ve got a pipe band playing Scotland the Brave, how could you actually not wear one of these? And come on, admit it, it is a pretty tartan, as these things go 🙂
http://www.scotlandshop.net/designertartanclothing/macnabmoderntartan.php
June 23, 2008 at 15:15 |
Show us yer sporran, Gnu! 😉
June 23, 2008 at 19:29 |
Hey, I bet some of those plain kilts come from a great Seattle company called Utilikilts. It’s not unusual to see men in Seattle wearing them. The mock-umercials on the website are hilarious.
June 23, 2008 at 21:35 |
Daisyfae – ‘hot’ you say? hmmm…. i may need to reconsider my hesitance at the price…
kyknoord – …and how would that be different from your usual work attire? Ahhh! No lipstick and eyeliner!
Rob – what’s a massacre amongst friends? i’m sure the McDonald’s have forgiven your family. but… then again… to be sure, better lay off the Big Macs ‘just in case’.
nursemyra – reason enough for me! now all i need is the airfare… and time off from work… and that leather kilt… hmmmm
parenthesis – my brother wore his full garb to our niece’s wedding (using the accepted MacLean formal tartan)… got me thinking, it did. and, yes, the macnab is a pretty tartan.
dolce – i need a photographress to get that picture! volunteers?
silverstar – i’m guessing the troubled, conservative masses of Ohio wouldn’t be quite so accepting of kilt wearing here. but i do like some on that site!
June 24, 2008 at 09:40 |
When you find one, do it as part of the corset friday series…only with strategically placed badger skin…. 😀
June 24, 2008 at 14:43 |
Great idea Dolce!!!
June 24, 2008 at 17:48 |
Dolce & Parenthesis – IF i can find a photographress and IF i find an.. ahem.. appropriate badger skin… i’m willing!
June 24, 2008 at 23:43 |
If you can come to Seattle, I volunteer my camera work.
June 25, 2008 at 07:10 |
silverstar – [big grin] now we’re talking… hmmm… how to get the boss to send me on a business trip across country… i have a new goal for work…