Sorry for joining this thread a little late (and apologies if I have missed the real thrust), but it has always amazed me that people think the only time you need to be skilled, AND current to fly on instruments is when you are in cloud!!
Try manouvering on a dark night over an unpopulated area at (relatively) low level and low speed, then throw in a few nearby hills!!
The use of nvgs may help, but conversely it INCREASES the chances of inadvertent imc!
Fly safe!