Robbie Burns Dinner

[Camille Eonich]

Dear Ol' Gabe, I wasn't questioning what was worn under the kilt.  I was merely requesting a picture of one of the members in his FULL dress regalia, preferably with said kilt being worn down in the proper position.   

[PJ Hardtack]

I regret that while we had our camera with us, we did not avail ourselves of the opportunity to have our picture taken. There is something so self-aggrandizing about it that I find it almost offensive. I'm at the point where I refuse to take a pic with a camera proffered by a Japanese or Chinese tourist in front of an iconic location.

Pity, as I went 'black tie' and my wife wore a blue velvet doublet and high collared lacey blouse. This being the Cariboo, dress ranged from Highland evening wear to blue jeans and plaid shirts - on the girls!. 'Semi-formal' here means jeans with no holes in the knees and and a clean T-shirt. People get married dressed like that. 'Formal' means black jeans and a shirt with all it's buttons.

The topic of tartans always comes up. The most striking tartan was worn by the emcee - "The Silver Spirit of Scotland". Very dark and formal. I was asked the story and legend behind mine; a blend of green and blue hues with red and white lines composing the sett.
I told them it was based on the 23rd Psalm: "He maketh me to lie in green pastures, he leadeth me beside the still waters ...."

Very appropo, reminiscent of the Scottish Highlands sheep pastureage. I've been told that sheep will not drink from a fast running stream, preferring "still waters".

[Camille Eonich]

I bet that the two of you made a grand impression.


It would not do for me to get loose in a tartan store and I can't sew.  I do love the stuff though.  There is one place online that will allow you to design your own tartan.   It's very cool.

[PJ Hardtack]

Camille

You would be designing a 'plaid', not a tartan. It must be registered and approved in order to be a 'tartan'. Many ladies fashion garments and sashes are in facts plaids rather than tartans.
There are clan tartans and family tartans. Mine is of the latter type. Perusing a book on tartan genealogy is interesting. There are national, state, provincial, corporate, city, regimental, modern, ancient .....

Plaids were traditionally worn by men, a sort of wrap around garment like you see in "Braveheart". The female equivalent is the arisaid, longer and more flowing. Modern Highland evening dresses evolved from it.

One of the tartans which can be worn by any one without a claim to a family or clan tartan is the 'Royal Stewart'. Any loyal subject of the Queen has the right to wear it. Too bad you're a 'rebel' ...... ;>)

[Camille Eonich]

Camille

You would be designing a 'plaid', not a tartan. It must be registered and approved in order to be a 'tartan'. Many ladies fashion garments and sashes are in facts plaids rather than tartans.

I stand corrected.   

[PJ Hardtack]

More likely 'sit corrected', unless you operate the computer standing ... ;>) Sorry if I  came on as pontificating. It always irritates the hell out of me when someone does that to me.

It's impossible not to get into the history of kilts and all things Scottish when you first become interested. Rest assured, those that "know" are not adverse to  educating the lesser informed. I think that Scots have a sensitivity about their heritage that borders on martyrdom. The main reason they have any heritage left at all is due to Queen Victoria making all things Scottish popular during her reign.

The Irish suffer from a somewhat similar martyrdom complex, but not without good reason. British rule has not always been benevolent towards the Picts and Celts. Scotland today has a separatist government, but only about 45% support independence from the UK.

[Bugscuffle]

Tell me the truth now. I've heard it said that a Scott is only an Englishman with a speech impediment. Is it so?

[TallBaldBellied]

And only a rank reiver from the lowlands would even consider saying such a thing.

 

Tell me the truth now. I've heard it said that a Scott is only an Englishman with a speech impediment. Is it so?

[Camille Eonich]

More likely 'sit corrected', unless you operate the computer standing ... ;>) Sorry if I  came on as pontificating. It always irritates the hell out of me when someone does that to me.

No need to apologize.  I appreciate the correction since your info is correct.     The only time I mind being corrected is when correction is incorrect.

Now that I have you all confused...

[PJ Hardtack]

Bugscuffle

Spoken like a true Sassenach!  Fightin' words in some company .... ;>) Many find Gaelic accents a lot easier on the ears than some English.

A little known fact is that at the height of Victoria's reign, over 60% of soldiers in Highland Regiments were non-Scots. There simply weren't enough Scots to go around.
As a result, a lot of supposed Highland traditions came about with no basis in historical fact. With the Highland clearances and immigration due to famines, much lore and traditions were lost. It might surprise some to learn that Cape Breton in Nova Scotia is a bastion of Celtic music, lore and traditions, preserved and taught at the Gaelic College.

People come from all over to learn, including from Scotland.

[Bugscuffle]

P.J. I am well aware of Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia and I have enjoyed the music of the Cape Breton Fiddlers for many years now.

Slàinte an Rìgh, na Bàn-righinn, 's an teaghlaich rìoghail!

Bugscuffle

[PJ Hardtack]

I'm not about to engage in any Gaelic discourse. I l leave that to the Gaels.

It does surprise me how many US tartans there are.

- California (many other states as well)
- the FBI
- the American Bicentennial
- the Chattahoochee ( no kidding!)
- New York Fireman's Pipe Band
- Salt lake City
- The Texas Bluebonnet
- West Point
- The Virginia Military Institute
- The United States

Can you imagine OBAMA in a kilt .... ? The mind boggles ..... ;>)

And any number of corporate tartans as well .....  There are more kilt wearers today than ever before in history. What's your excuse?

[Camille Eonich]

Can you imagine OBAMA in a kilt .... ? The mind boggles ..... ;>)

Excuse me while I go and poke my mind's eye out now.

[PJ Hardtack]

I once wore an outrageous plaid shirt to a Robbie Burns Dinner with an equally outrageous plaid tie. One of the properly attired Scots looked at me and said:

"What in hell are ye wearin', Lad? It looks like the national flag and tartan of Kenya and Tanzania ...." This was long before the Obama/Kenya brouhaha.