Wearing the Kilt in Scotland

[just4fun63]

Good day all,
My wife and I are planning a trip to Scotland next year and I was looking for some advice on wearing my Kilt while there. How is it looked on for a Yank tourist to be wearing the Kilt. Our trip may involve a few formal dinners and teas. I would like to be dressed appropriately for the occasion. I want to wear it every day if possible, both casual and dress.

Your opinions are appreciated.

[Steve Ashton]

The only other person I have ever seen wearing a kilt in Scotland were tourists, the street buskers for the tourists, one kiltmaker and other X Marks members.

[Terry Searl]

I have a couple of very dear older friends in Scotland, from Glasgow and the Ayrshire coast, so they are not Highlanders. I once suggested that on a visit I was going to wear my kilt when I got off the plane, and both said they wouldn't pick me up at the airport then. I asked why, and they said Kilt wearing is not the norm and certainly not in the Lowlands ......One asked what would be my thoughts on them getting off the plane wearing Plains first nations ceremonial dress...I do understand what they meant from that remark....I guess wearing a kilt is much more acceptable in Canada then in the lowlands of Scotland. They both said for significant events it is acceptable but not for just wearing every day. Wearing a kilt in the highlands may be a very different level of acceptability though.

[ThistleDown]

Lots of tourists wear the kilt in Scotland. Lots of natives wear the kilt for special occasions (weddings, drinks-events, and the like). Lots of Highland Scots wear the kilt more often. You probably won't be where they are because Highlanders are not out there visiting historic sites such as Culloden, unless they work there. In the years that I worked at Culloden I was always kilted. You will see very few in either Highland or Lowland cities unless they are Highland outfitters or tourists. But...ignore all the naysayers and wear your kilt for those special occasions you refer to and, if you wish, wear it any other time, too. Just take care how you wear it, it is our national dress and there are proper and improper ways.

[just4fun63]

Just take care how you wear it, it is our national dress and there are proper and improper ways.

Glad to know native Scots won't be bothered by my wearing the Kilt. I always try to wear it correctly, and with pride.

[ThistleDown]

Good. Leave the scrunched hose, big stick and wide hat at home and you will be just fine. Have a super holiday. Where are you planning on going -- and when?

[Richrail]

My wife and I are planning a vacation to Scotland next year also, 2 1/2 weeks at the end of May.

[just4fun63]

Good. Leave the scrunched hose, big stick and wide hat at home and you will be just fine. Have a super holiday. Where are you planning on going -- and when?

That picture was at the end of a 5 mile hike. One of my PV kilts that I wear for hikes and heavy outdoor activities. I would be wearing my "tank" in MacEwan ancient from Geoffrey (Taylor) on the trip.
We haven't set dates yet, it will be our first time. Considering a tour type trip, hit a lot of tourist places and decide where we want to spend more time next trip.

[California Highlander]

While in Scotland 2 years ago, I saw Scots, Canadians, Americans, and some "unknowns" in kilts. Not a horde or a rabble mind you, but there were some kilted folk. Some Scots were clearly wearing the kilt for the tourists, but some not. There was a guy hiking in a kilt, I wore mine for a clan gathering, a highland fair, visiting Culloden, and one day in Edinburgh. I went tweed jacket, collared shirt, and hose with brogues except the fair, which had me swap the tweed for a Barbour jacket. In Edinburgh one day at the Fringe I just wore a polo with the kilt as it was kind of warm. Nothing "alt-kilt" during the entire trip was seen. Note that I was at two different clan gatherings and a highland games, so the "kilts around town" might have been due to those events more than anything else.

Here's a couple of pics from the trip, (but none of me).

[Mael Coluim]

On my last two trips to Scotland , I packed no trousers. Kilted all the time. Never a problem, opened a number of doors and the tourist loved me! @Hollyrood I was swamped by bus loads of Japanese schoolgirls who all wanted my photo .