Proud Scot Hamish wins fight to wear kilt at his graduation

Published on Thursday 27 May 2010 20:06

A SCHOOLBOY who sparked a global row after being banned from wearing a kilt to his graduation in Canada has won his legal battle to wear the outfit.

Patriotic Hamish Jacobs hoped to don full Highland dress and honour his Scottish heritage at the event in the province of Alberta.

However, education chiefs ruled that he had to show up in trousers, shirt and shoes to accept his diploma.

But yesterday they backed down and said he could wear the family tartan, after the teenager was swamped with support from around the world.

Hamish, 19, from Alberta, said: "I am so happy and just so full of energy. I just don't know how to describe it."

He wanted to wear the Forbes tartan kilt under his graduation gown when he walked on stage next month.

But the teenager was stunned when the principal at Raymond High claimed his plan broke school dress code.

Hamish said one of his friends was allowed to wear a kilt to the same ceremony the previous year.

The local mayor become embroiled in the case, as relatives claimed that Hamish's human rights had been violated.

A Facebook page quickly drew almost 2,500 followers who backed his desire to wear the kilt.

A photo posted on the site showed Hamish decked out in plaid.

His page was also swamped with messages of support from across Canada and beyond.

John Cameron, the Canadian President of the Clan Cameron Association, wrote: "We are behind you 100 per cent.

"My grandfather wore a kilt in battle in the First World War, as a member of the 85th Battalion Nova Scotia Highlanders. He, and many others wearing kilts fought for our freedom."

The issue also made newspaper and TV headlines around the world.

Even the World Sikh Organisation of Canada sent a letter to education chiefs in support of the teenager. Its leaders claimed that his story mirrored their struggles to maintain symbols of their cultural roots.

Westwinds School District in Alberta, claimed that the rules were in place to stop students turning up to graduate in shorts or flip-flops.

It also said that Hamish would be allowed to wear his kilt later in the evening during a grand dinner party.

But after being bombarded with calls and e-mails from people outraged by the decision, it backed down.

A straw poll among board members revealed that they were in favour of bending the rules.

A spokesman added: "Obviously, it was a policy that needed to be revisited. But there was too much public outcry to wait until the policy could be formally reviewed."

A delighted Hamish said: "This is something big in my life. I'm a proud Scotsman and I don't care who knows it."

His mother, Rose, who emigrated from Perth in 1965, added: "We have to say a huge thank-you to everyone who supported Hamish through this journey.

"We are at a loss for words to express our gratitude."