How We Got Into Kilts & Celtic Culture in the First Place

[@davecadorette-tv1tk]

My mother's side of the family was from Scotland, my dad's side is Breton descent... thought about getting a kilt, and my daughter suggested it at a renn faire last year... now I have 12...

[@SeanSauve333]

There was ALWAYS tartan around our house. My Grandma made us shirts in Blackwatch and Stewart tartan wool as we grew up. Our quilts were hand made with tartan wool pieces that she had had for generations. A wool kilt was never affordable until I “grew up” and discovered you folks. Now I’m broke. So thanks for that.

[@BlueNutella_]

A multitude of circumstances, but the straw that broke the camel's back was when I ripped a hole in my favorite shorts. I wanted to wear something that wouldn't rub out at the thighs, so I started looking for possible new forms of bottoms to wear. I had lived in India for a time and thoroughly enjoyed wearing the Pyjama and Kurta, to the point where I would wear them any time I wasn't working, but I thought it would be read incorrectly here in the States. At the same time, I was really getting into my family history and discovered we weren't Irish as my family thought, but rather Scottish. It clicked that I should try a kilt, came to K&C videos on KZbin, learned about the history and the "right way" to wear a kilt, and now I've begun to go to Celtic festivals and even went to the NYC Tartan Day Parade to celebrate my Scottish heritage!

[@texas2step266]

When my husband became an amateur Highland Games athlete, he got a kilt to compete in. Because he had served in the US Army, he was able to wear Black Watch. Then he got a Wilson tartan - his mom was a Wilson, and that is my husband's first name - then a Gunn tartan, because Wilson is a sept of clan Gunn. I loved seeing him in a kilt from the first time he put one on, and twenty-four years later, it still makes my hear flutter and flip. I loved going to the Games, first to cheer for Wilson, and then because I got to spend a weekend around big, strong men in kilts, with the pipes inn the background. He doesn't compete anymore, but still occasionally dons his kilt, and I love it as much as the first time I saw him in it. We've been married for 48 years, and he can still make me go weak in the knees, especially in his kilt.

[@sewingintrifocals-alisonde7778]

Spending the weekend around big, strong men in kilts, gee, what a drag! 😅. I write as an official female of the species here. 😊

[@texas2step266]

​@@sewingintrifocals-alisonde7778 😋lol I highly recommend those kilt-filled weekends. One of my favorite memories is of a Saturday spent at a small Scottish festival in Spring Branch, just north of San Antonio. They didn't have room for a full Games competition, so my husband spent the day demonstrating the various events. On the way home, we stopped at a grocery store to pick up a few things. We split up when we went in, agreeing to meet back by one of the registers. I gathered the items I wanted, and headed back to find Wilson. I saw a small group of women at the end of an aisle, sort of hiding and peering around the shelves. As I approached, I heard one say to another, "Have you seen that big, strong Scotsman?" I innocently joined them as they followed him around the store. He was completely unaware. As he picked up his last item, I went to him and asked him for a kiss, which I got. I smiled proudly, and waved at the other ladies, as we checked out and headed home.

[@sewingintrifocals-alisonde7778]

@@texas2step266 😉

[@sewingintrifocals-alisonde7778]

@@texas2step266 , I suppose being divorced doesn’t mean I’m dead, right? Just because there’s snow on the roof . . .

[@texas2step266]

@@sewingintrifocals-alisonde7778 Snow on the roof just gives you reason to turn up the heat.

[@gordonstewart8258]

When I was about five the pipes and regimental band of one of the Scottish regiments (I think it was the Black Watch) came to Denver on a tour of the U.S. and my grandmother, who emigrated from Scotland, took us to see them. She even made me a kilt to wear for the occasion. I was hooked. My mother tells me that it was all she could do to stop me from wearing my kilt to school!

[@williamproctor4388]

A friend took me to my first Scottish festival and I knew the minute I heard the bagpipes who I was.

[@la_old_salt2241]

That's a thing.

[@susangrande8142]

Yeah, they stir the blood, don’t they? I love the sound of highland pipes! I have since I first heard them when I was 8 years old.

[@MarcelGomesPan]

I’m pretty sure a movie started it for me too. Though for me it was ”Highlander”. Funny enough they where shooting ”Braveheart” as i was buying my first kilt in Edinburgh. I was hitch hiking through Scotland ( it was the 90’s ) and made SURE to pass through Glenfinnan. Not because of Prince Charles or the monument ( i did go up it though. I already had a clan interest since i remember the guide being a MacPhearson ). Noooo, i had to go there because Connor MacLeod of the Clan MacLeod grew up there. 😂 As i looked out over Loch Shiel i could imagine Christopher Lambert and Sean Connery rowing on it before Lambert took a plunge. In time i would try out Highland Dancing, Piping, Country Dancing, Gaelic etc. I joined the Royal Scottish Country Dance Society in Gothenburg, Sweden. First kilt i wore was a Royal Stewart ( borrowed ), my own first was a Gordon, both regimental weight. Now after extensive geneology by my sister i am aware of several clan connections on my mothers side. The journey continues. 👍🇸🇪🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@leonkellerhuis3642]

Me too I have all the movies the TV series don’t have the one that was a female in a lead role I want to say the raven

[@kevind1470]

Hi guys, it's Kevin. I'm always known and had a passion for the Scottish Highlands. When I did my DNA I didn't realize just how much Scottish Irish, English, Wells and Viking I had in me. That's what got me deep deeper and deeper into everything related to my family. My wife and I plan on taking a trip to Scotland. Love my roots and very proud to be a part of it and when I got the chance to meet Rocky personally it all really took off from me in a way. I did not expect all for the good. Thanks again for your company. Rocky, and you guys's KZbin channel and open a great many doors of understanding things I would never have known

[@douglasfrank9323]

I got started 30 years ago wearing a hand pleated great kilt as renfaire garb.

[@gemstonebrad4481]

I got interested after doing my ancestry and finding out i had scottish roots. i used your tartan designer to design a tartan and get it resetered, Cannot wait to get my kilt from you in about 4 months. Slàinte mhath !

[@davidbrewer9030]

Very neat story. Have you heard of the discovery of mummies in Central Asia that had clothing with patterns similar to tartans? They were apparently INdo-european speakers called the Tocharian. The patterns were done in twill and were in squares and colors similar to tartans.

[@cameronsmith6755]

My father was the first generation of Ameican born and my mother was born in Sydney, Nova Scotia so my Scottish DNA is very high. I was raised on a New England farm and enjoyed working hard on the land. Well after my parents had passed, our daughters were interested in Renaissance Faires and convinced to go to a few. I liked the music and the performers I saw and heard and realized they were having a good time doing it. A large Faire advertised for participants so i auditioned. I sang, did a recitation and some improv and was hired on the spot. Another Faire let me sing in a kilt outfit and It went over well enough for me to continue at other faires and senior centers. I cultivated a pretty good brogue and have been doing it since. I met performers while visiting Scotland and picked up some songs from them. I'm over came the stage fright and have been doing it when I can ever since. I now have eight kilts, stockings, sporrans, gillie shirts, etc. and have become a serial kilter!

[@MrOrvarPrime]

The Scotsman from Samurai Jack is what got me in to kilts! You guys also helped quite a bit too! Kilts are awesome!

[@redscale82]

Felt the pressure to wear one the first time I was in Scotland. Bought a cheap one just to get the feeling of wearing one and loved it. Five years later I have six kilts and two sporrans (third on the way).

[@stephenswistchew7720]

I like the Texan 10gallon kilts with six sporrans on either side and the stetson tam with the spurs on the brogues

[@AggroPhene]

Ancestry brought me to Highland games, and I believe the Highlander was the first hero, who's fashion I emulated, followed by Rob Roy. The latter movie, caused me to research the degradation of living standards of my ancestors at the hands of British. Then wearing the Kilt became a statement of pride in Scottish heritage, and possibly a conversation starter to divulge the fierceness of the Scotts, I felt it embodied. Bought my first taylored Ramsey Blue kilt at age 14 from summer job savings. First customer to wear a utili-kilt, they just purchased, walking out of the store; the taylored had been stolen. I then found the SCA and needed something closer to medieval, so I got a greatkilt of pendleton wool, only 5 yards, but it is plenty due to doubleweave. I also got a corduroy utilikilt that goes surprisingly well with a medieval look, despite being utterly anachronistic. Now, I own 3 great kilts: winterweight-dayplaid-formal. Also, I made a pretty close rendition of the historical Rob Roy sporran.

[@AggroPhene]

I also wore a standard black Glengarry as common headwear through much of my teen years. It goes well with a shaved except for crown, hairdo.

[@AlabamaSkunkApe]

Stumbled across a love of Scotland initially at 13 when a friend of mine asked me to play snare drum for his Pipe Band. He was a tenor drum player and beginning to learn piping. Anyway, I was already a fairly decent drummer by 13 but had no exposure to Pipe Band and bagpipe music. I quickly learned 8-10 songs and performed at a Scottish Festival using a borrowed kilt from an Uncle. Trial by fire! After a few years I quit drumming because I wanted to play guitar. I later learned that even though I am a “Smith”, I have LOTS of Scottish roots from Fife, Orkney and Edinburgh among others. Fast forward 40 years - I’m still playing guitar and have started beginner piping. Got a McCallum chanter for Christmas. I like the McCallum pipe stuff because I am married to a McCallum :)

[@brettwarner719]

I got into Scotland with PBS. and the show was Monarch of the Glen. Looking at the Cairngorms from the Ardverikie Estate was simply inspiring. When I had an opportunity to go to the UK with my wife I made a point that we spent half the time in Scotland. Now we both love it, and it turns out she actually has pretty extensive Scottish roots. So now I wear Muted Ross Ancient, courtesy of the work of your employee Susie.

[@slydermartin6008]

My Mothers Mother is a Bean ( MacBean ) and grew up knowing Her stories and lineage ( John MacBean, Alan Bean, LL Bean, etc. ) But the other three Grandparents were French Canadian and a huge family ( we didn't have a family tree, it was a root system ) so those stories dominated my youth. It was my first trip to Scotland and going to the area that John MacBean lived, my Grandmother being a direct descendant, talking and drinking with people from "Inverness-shire" that I heard Her Voice, her expressions, sayings and mannerisms for the "first" time. It had a profound effect and I fell in love with Scotland. Had always been attracted to the kilt. That trip.... Judith Sullivan of Keene made my first kilt 6 weeks later.

[@richarddaugherty8583]

Easy Rider scene made me LOL! Thanks for that, and for your passion!

[@susangrande8142]

When I was 8 years old and living in St. Louis MO, I was downtown with my mother, and I saw a parade, of a highland pipe band, for the first time in my life. I was awestruck, and loved the sound of the pipes! I’ve loved them since then. I have no Scottish ancestry per se, just some “northwestern European”, plus a tiny bit of Scandinavian. I figure I must have been Scottish in a past life.

[@erikbrammell9202]

it is part of my heritage. I just went for it , I get a lot of positive feed back . I am hoping to make the trip soon to get a proper kilt made by y'all. So i can wear it , specifically for the Highland Games.

[@vixendoe6943]

It was always around growing up. Dad was always doing genealogy looking for the origins of our last name and he was looking most towards Scotland. St Patrick's Day was a day of Irish and Scottish music at our house. He loved attending Celtic Celebrations. His mother, who was mostly German, told stories of the Ulster Scot. I studied the bagpipe for 7 years and still have a Celtic lap harp.

[@ramonbennett8416]

Nice to know about you guys and how it began and became. Totally a fan.

[@tjdevaal5635]

I was always a bit of a military history buff. My high school I attended was affiliated to the Transvaal Scottish and although we did not wear kilts we did wear the Balmoral or Athol Bonnet. My father's brother fought in WWII in North Africa with the Transvaal Scottish. Years later through correspondence with His Grace the Duke of Athol I was granted permission by the Duke to wear the Murry of Athol tartan, in my private capacity. The tartan was woven on a loom that is over 100 years old and of course hand stitched and I wear it proudly.

[@oz4acl]

Well... Way back when... I was six or seven, i saw the Edinburgh tattoo. Got goosebumps all over, due to the pipes. Dug in to history, especially around the north sea (I'm danish) and got older. Other hobbies, especially electronics, and forgot my early obsession. Fast forward, a kids lenghts time, i litterarely fell in to my fifties. With a leg on either side, of my bathtub. Thus in need of a garment, not trews, i was reminded of the kilt... And the rest, as you guessed, is history...

[@w.reidripley1968]

Music. Music and the Society for Creative Anachronism. (Those boys are primarily in the belted plaid like so many Renfair-goers.) As a child of the twentieth century, I have a taste for musics of a harsh tonality, which the badass tone and egotistical scale of the GHB gratifies. I love alcoholic Irish folk music to pieces, yet there is something about the Scottish iteration, full of rocks and granite, that talks to my _soul._ Been up to Bruar Water, and the Donnachie Museum up there. They thought I was there for an ancestor-hunt, but I had to demur: not at all prepared to do that; I declined, with regrets... and noted my maternal grandfather, a Reid, bore a strong facial resemblance to General John Reid's portrait. A bit of jowliness apparently runs in the line... down to my uncle in Cincinnati.

[@OcculiMortis]

It is my heritage. Obviously knowing my great grandfather as a Campbell but unfortunately on our side of the family the name didn’t get passed down because him and great grandma (from Germany) only had two daughters. But some of us keep the Scottish side of our family going. I have yet to buy a Campbell kilt from you guys. But it will happen, plus several others like the Sterling, USA Kilt, American Heritage, Marine Corps, a cool green one in a picture on your website, and the awesome light blue kilt on the shelf behind you guys. But you know, money got tight because I had to buy all my Oregon Ducks football tickets and save money for tailgate parking spot tickets. Story of my life lol. But, the list is a short one and will get longer believe me.

[@la_old_salt2241]

You've still got that Campbell blood, if not the name.

[@OcculiMortis]

@@la_old_salt2241 absolutely, true that.

[@Cailean_MacCoinnich]

Probably best you don't mention you're a Campbell if you ever visit the Highlands. Not the most liked clan in Scotland. My mother (a MacLeod) and her mother before her would never even have a tin of Campbell's soup in their homes, such is the dislike of the 'Crooked mouth's'. Seems silly nowadays but the stories linger on.

[@OcculiMortis]

@@Cailean_MacCoinnich yep, some things do seem silly. But knowing the history of things that have transpired in history that were passed down to us, and learning them from my personal study and Bruce, it is what it is. I’m still a proud Campbell and proud of my heritage and the clan history. I’ll never hide or deny my heritage. But, had I not already known about the history of the clan and was a naive person, thank you for letting me know that.

[@francistyson2864]

Since we are talking about heritage, does that mean we will get to see Rocky in Lederhosen?

[@kd0r]

As far as I can tell I have no Scottish heritage. That even includes genetics. Many years ago I started listening to bagpipe music. That expanded to table harp (there are times you don't need music for going over the top). We went narrowboating in England and Wales. That lead to learning about The Falkirk Wheel and going on the Union and Firth and Clyde canals. Which of course took us to both Glasgow and Edinburgh. A visit to a tartan museum while in Edinburgh expanded that. Going to Scifi conventions saw a few folks in utility kilts and even some tartan kilts. My wife fell in love with single malt during this same time period. So that narrowboat trip included visits to various distilleries. A in '19 we were back in Scotland on the Caledonian Princess for a 7 day cruise in the Irish sea. Lots of kilts worn so supper on that trip. Two Transatlantic crossings on Queen Mary 2 with lots of kilts on formal nights. I bought a utility kilt a few years ago. I plan on stopping by USA Kilts on my next trip east to expand that my an American Dreams casual outfit. I love the look of Prince Charlie formal wear. I do NOT consider myself a student of the culture. I just enjoy some parts of it. David

[@jeffgroom7052]

Scott/Irish on my Mom’s side. I went toy first Irish Festival. This summer The first weekend in August. I live near an hour south of Cleveland OH. And. Every year they have theirIrish Festival in July ,I always seem to have something going on that weekend,and I end up not being able to go to the Festival. So I made sure I was free the first weekend Iim august. And went to the Dublin Irish Festival. Wheee I had seen a lot of men. Wearing g kilts. I thought this was cool to see all these people embracing their heritage this way. I asked around d the festival to see if I could buy a kilt there and one of the Ave sets there pointed me I. The right direction. I found a kilt vender inside the market tent. And I bought my first kilt. They did not have my clean tartan I. My size I. Stock but I am a navy veteran and I bought the US Navy Tartan. That began my my journey with kilts. I told my nephew about buying a kilt and. Told me he was going to tear up my man card. I told him. That kilts has been a part of our heritage for centuries and that I f he wanted to take my man card. The. I was going to take essay his man card. for seeing the Barbie movie .lol I have been I started to google kilts Ypres I. My area in Ohio. And nothing came up. I the. Dod a search on Pittsburgh which is 2hours away. I found f one I. Carnegie PA. And USA Kilts on the other side of Commonwealth I wanted to see if this kilt makes. Had a y kilts I’m my clan tartan. And he actually specializes I in my clan Tattan (Clan Campbell. I attended the Pittsburgh Irish Festival with my sister and our nephew (the same nephew who wanted to take my man card from me for wearing a kilt. ) I wor my kilt to this festival and now my nephew wants a kilt. Go figure. I ‘m still not going to see the Barbie Movie. lol. A week later. I wore my Navy tartan yo the Ligioniet Highland Games. And bout my second kilt this time I.m my clan tartan. From the kilt maker I’m Carnegie who specializes in my tartan. I have beer watching a Yon videos by USA Lilts on You tube. They are very informative and I timed to intend to drive the 6 1/2 hours. Yo USA kilts from The Canton OH. Ware where I live. And buy a kilt. Perhaps even one that is custom made. I’m glad yins are doing these videos I am learning A LOT.

[@charlesdriggers199]

When I found out that I had a majority of Scottish ancestry . It sparked a fire in me.

[@WhistleLad]

Good vid 👍🏼

[@rangermo82]

HAAA!!! GET YOUR NEEDLES HUMMIN. I WILL NEVER SING THAT SONG PROPERLY AGAIN. ❤😂

[@rangermo82]

❤️

[@rangermo82]

❤️

[@braydicus]

Won’t lie, my start as a teenager was braveheart lol

[@theologyman]

I got into it by researching my heritage.

[@dizwiz963]

Rob Roy (Liam Neeson) is without a doubt the best Scottish movie!!!

[@markchriestenson3257]

I found out that some of my relatives came from Ireland and Scotland. Before that I always thought that kilts were cool.

[@RJNoe]

I began wearing kilts in college when I discovered that wearing a kilt was a virtual guarantee of getting laid. Wish I could claim some loftier motivation like my heritage or a movie like Rob Roy or Highlander (both excellent) but no, it was all about sex. I’m 40 years older now, but it’s still working … in every sense.

[@sewingintrifocals-alisonde7778]

Wow, I learn something new on the internet every day-mainly today I have learned I have lived a very sheltered life. Um . . . congratulations on your success!

[@the-kilted-trucker59]

Its hard to say, doing some genealogy, looking for the sorce of my sir name or the fact that hearing the pipes made me want to follow them to some other place. Guess its complicated!

[@kevinhendryx665]

I wish we could retire the "badass" rationale, since I have seen too many Celtic cultural and historical things appropriated by dubious groups for their own purposes that have nothing to do with Scottish music, history, or culture. And the "badass" angle seems to be wholly a product of Hollywood movies and other fictions that are just as malicious as any early Victorian flim-flammery. I am proud to wear the kilt as a symbol of Scottish and Gaelic society and achievements and aspirations -- and also because as a Highland piper, I believe I have the right to. I welcome all who share this outlook or who have other heartfelt motivations, whether or not they have anything to do with geneaology or DNA. Plus it's a terrific fashion statement, banishing dull tedium. And babe magnet. (Oops, did I say that last part out loud?? )

[@susangrande8142]

You’re totally right about the babe magnet part! Many of us love to see men in kilts! 😍 Manly men wear kilts!

[@sewingintrifocals-alisonde7778]

@@susangrande8142, it’s true. 😂

[@HammerSmashedFace92]

I got into kilts watching Bill Kazmaier in Pure Strength

[@johnorr8094]

My journey into desiging tartans and wearing kilts began in 2010. A friend I met in 1990 would often wear kilts, mainly while attending Pennsic Wars. Today I have about $1,800 worth of kilts, and I will probably buy another. I kind feel like a chick with a handbag fetish . . .

[@royhurley7572]

Rebellion.

[@drewheyman7173]

Delete Jessica Lange from Rob Roy and the film is magnificent.