Kilt pin for the Carolina

When I was on the waiting list for my Carolina Tartan I thought I would need to find the perfect kilt pin for the tartan as it is so unique. I was lucky enough to find a silver gecko pin on ebay from Jewelery Mart it is a wonderful looking pin and picks up almost all the colours of the tartan.

Went for a short hike today

I thought today I'd go for a short hike through Toronto Botanical Garden & Edwards Gardens, where the my SCD group dances in the summer. I thought it would be nice to get some photos of the local colour before it all hits the ground. Anyway I got there took a hiked a bit took a couple of photos, and thought oh I'll get a picture of myself now, it was at this point that I realized that the batteries in my camera had died. I finished the hike and came home. It started to rain and well Toronto in October can get a bit cool for a 4 yard box pleat when it's rainy and windy. Here are the photos I got.

First the outfit I wore, I also wore the Empire Canvas Works Shooting Jacket I got from Kevin, it worked perfectly, and I'm sure I'll wear it often as the weather cools down.

Back to SCD

Tonight it was back to Scottish Country Dancing, last week the church it's held at had someting else going on, it was nice to get back to it I wore a black shirt, Argyll Hose top hose from Hawick hose company my Carolina 4 yard Box Pleat from Matt Newsome and my new L&M Sporran which worked out wonderfully on it's first night dancing, I also wore the Dress belt withthe Graham belt buckle. I did get a photo earlier in the day whan I was wearing the Freelander Sporran and Casual belt. 

It was great to be back, next week I'm to bring the snacks for the break allong with some juice, I sure hope I remember. 

Election day in Canada

Today is election day in Canada, I went out to vote this morning and decided the perfect tartan to wear would be the Maple Leaf tartan. Funny thing was the guy behind the table who was an orrthodox jew and was wearing his yamulca says "You do know we're not in Scotland" to which I replied, that is why I'm wearing the Canadian tartan, I really thought they would be a bit more culturally aware behind the polling tables, ah well that is just the type of thing that happens wearing a kilt. Anyway the outfit for today was the Maple Leaf tartan kilt by Canadian Casual Kilts the Brown Harris Tweed Argyle, my tie is a tweed tie I found at Caringorm Scottish Imports, the sporran is from Thorfinn Sporrans withthe matching Maple Leaf flap, and the hose are Yellow/Gold Hawick Hose that I picked up at Cairngorm as well. 

Rise in Popularity of the Kilt

Recently there was a topic posted on xmarksthescot.com about the rise in the popularity of the kilt, I thought I'd share my response here as well, of course having read it over I've added to the last bit. 

I've been thinking about this one for a bit now, good topic by the way. I'm not sure I can touch on the rise in popularity, I can really only speak for myself. I started wearing the kilt as an expression of my heritage, it had for me anyway absolutely nothing to do with comfort or rebellion. The first time I wore one in my adult years was at my twin brothers wedding, at the time I commented that I should have done this a long time ago.

After that I was given my Dad's old kilt and wore it to a heritage night at work, I'm certain my outfit back then would have been added to the kilt don't thread, be that as it may, I learned what was correct. At the same time I had encouragement at work to wear it again and so started wearing my kilt 2 or 3 times a week, I bought more kilts and now I have enough that I can and do wear one every day.

I think in a larger sense the internet and in particular xmarksthescot.com has done much for the rise in the popularity of the kilt worldwide, it showed me anyway that I was not alone in my desire to wear the kilt, and to embrace that part of my heritage. 

As for cheap kilts helping I'm not completely sold on that idea, my reasons are that while there is no doubt they would be comfortable, they just do not look as good and do not last as long and therefore they may indeed be a hindrance. As I see it a traditional hand sewn kilt that looks great, that can be passed down to the next generation, a kilt that can look good with a t-shirt or with a doublet is the most economical way to go. Another thing that bothers me about the cheap knock off kilts is that this is my heritage being perverted, how do other groups feel when their symbols their national dress etc. are knocked off for the cheapest price and then marked up astronomically? 

Oh Carolina

I got home this afternoon to find one of those postal tags that tell you there is a package waiting for you. I had the idea that this was the Carolina Tartan from Matt Newsome that I had been waiting for, I was very glad that I was correct. Once I got home I tried it on and it fit wonderfully so then it was the careful removal of the basting stitches and outside to take a few photos. I am looking forward to my next package from the Scottish Tartan Museum as I ordered a pair of Royal Cuffs to go with this tartan, anyway for now I decided to pair it up with my Lovat Blue Argyll Jacket, Red tie, Blue shirt, Ferguson Britt Skunk Sporran, and Hawick Argyll Top Hose