William Wallace Would Not Stand For This
The fabled hero of Scotland, William Wallace, has got to be spinning in his grave right about now. Not only have all of the famed Scots regiments that have centuries old histories been merged down into a single regiment, but there is even worse news.
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.
I know that when there is a shortage of bunks on a naval vessel and sailors are forced to take turns using a bed, they call it hot bunking. Somehow, hot kilting is not a cheerful thought at all. Possibly unsanitary, too. A kilt shortage in Scotland, who'd a thunk.
World news | Gaius Monday, 18 December , 2006
By guy, Monday, 18 December , 2006 @ 8:57 pm
“A kilt shortage in Scotland, who’d a thunk.”
I’m sure it’s just the extra strain on kilt supply due to Space Blancmanges turning the British into Scotsmen so they can win Wimbledon…..