Maddy Posted December 18, 2006 Share Posted December 18, 2006 http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20061218/ap_on_...t/kilt_shortage Scottish troops must share scarce kilts By BEN McCONVILLE 16 minutes ago LONDON - Great Scot! A shortage of ceremonial kilts could leave thousands of soldiers without a stitch of plaid to wear as they parade to the skirl of the bagpipes. Military officials said Monday that more than 5,000 Scottish soldiers are having to share their kilts because defense chiefs have not finalized a contract to buy enough of the garments to go around. The men, who face regular tours of duty in south Iraq and Afghanistan, have just 320 kilts, or one for every 15 soldiers. Combat troops wore the traditional Highland garb in battle as late as World War I, but now the plaid kilts are used in ceremonial uniform. New kilts are needed for all Scottish soldiers following the August 2006 merger of centuries-old regiments into a single Royal Regiment of Scotland. "A planned deployment of kilts will be agreed with the Royal Regiment of Scotland on a roll-out basis with ... the full program being completed by January 2008," a Ministry of Defense spokesman said, speaking on condition of anonymity in line with government policy. The Ministry of Defense has refused to say who has won the contract to supply the kilts; in the meantime, soldiers will have to share. The 320 kilts provided so far have been supplied by Argyll Bagpipes and Kilts on a trial basis. The full contract is worth up to $1.95 million, taking two years to complete and will involve 15,000 yards of fabric. "The kilt is psychologically important for the identity of Scottish soldiers," said Lt. Col. Willy Macnair, who served in the defunct Queen's Own Highlander regiment. "It may mean that some soldiers in this (new) regiment, by the time they leave, may never have worn it." Scottish lawmakers and veterans had opposed the merger of the traditional regiments, which saw action in both world wars and the Anglo-Boer War in South Africa. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CeeJ Posted December 18, 2006 Share Posted December 18, 2006 That is just totally insane!!! We are talking about SOLDIERS!!! Serving their country and not being provided kilts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
-D-RocK- Posted December 18, 2006 Share Posted December 18, 2006 Ya, but ya gotta love that story for what it is! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fridge Posted December 18, 2006 Share Posted December 18, 2006 However, the real point is that these proud and distinguished regiments (eg The Black watch) should never have been merged in the first place....disgraceful Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slacker Posted December 19, 2006 Share Posted December 19, 2006 QUOTE (CeeJ @ Dec 18 2006, 02:34 PM)That is just totally insane!!! We are talking about SOLDIERS!!! Serving their country and not being provided kilts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maddy Posted December 19, 2006 Author Share Posted December 19, 2006 You'd think the least they could do is give them their own kilts...which sounds funny, but isn't, when you think about it at all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chaotica Posted December 19, 2006 Share Posted December 19, 2006 I am part Scotish and those kilts mean alot even to me!!! and no those regiments should never have been mixed!!!! Hoipefully this hasn't caused the men to fight overlittle things that mean so much to each of the regiments! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daylin Posted December 19, 2006 Share Posted December 19, 2006 QUOTE (SlackABob @ Dec 18 2006, 10:57 PM) QUOTE (CeeJ @ Dec 18 2006, 02:34 PM)That is just totally insane!!! We are talking about SOLDIERS!!! Serving their country and not being provided kilts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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