Kilt advice for Scotland trip

[Andy Ternay]

This September I am going to Scotland for the 1st (but hopefully not last) time. About half the trip I will be camping and the other half I'll either be in a hostel or B&B. Before I get to Scotland I will be attending a four day Bronze Age Sword Workshop in Cornwall.

I am thinking Utilikilt rather than the wool kilt. I don't want to burn a hole in my wool kilt with molten bronze!!!

Kilts also take up a lot of space and if it does not fit in my backpack, it is not going.

How does a Utilikilt and a Semi-Traditional from USA Kilts sound?

I can bring a pair of ultralight athletic pants so that I have something to wear when I launder the kilts.

Also, do I need to worry about looking like a tourist if I am wearing kilts all through my Scotland trip?

[Bigkahuna]

Hi Andy. Let me start by saying there is a very nice article on bronze age swords at the web site "Slinging.org". You might find it interesting. You might also want to consider a leather apron as molten bronze can burn a hole in your leg as easily as your kilt. As far as wearing a kilt in Scotland, it seems to be the general consensus that most of the kilts seen in Scotland are worn by tourists. I say if you want to wear the kilt then go ahead and enjoy yourself. Just wear it properly and proudly.

[Jock Scot]

Hummm camping in Scotland in September eh? Well if you are camping on the Western side MAKE SURE you take some long trousers, as the midgies could well still be about. They can make life an absolute misery, I kid you not!

[Nighthawk]

Hummm camping in Scotland in September eh? Well if you are camping on the Western side MAKE SURE you take some long trousers, as the midgies could well still be about. They can make life an absolute misery, I kid you not!

My grandmother used to complain about the "bloody midges." She claims that's the reason she moved here- only to be assaulted by the bloody mosquitos!

[Jock Scot]

I have thought hard about this reply and it may not be popular. I can quite see the practical points of the Utilicilt, but they are not understood(seen) in Scotland by most Scots, so do not be surprised if they are not very enthusiastic about them and there are certain parts of Scotland where they will be misunderstood and there are parts of Scotland where the reaction to them could well be hostile. Don't misunderstand me though, most Scots are far too polite to say anything at all! At the very least it may pay to develop a good sense of humour and a thick skin before visiting with that sort of, er um, kilt.

[Andy Ternay]

I have thought hard about this reply and it may not be popular. I can quite see the practical points of the Utilicilt, but they are not understood(seen) in Scotland by most Scots, so do not be surprised if they are not very enthusiastic about them and there are certain parts of Scotland where they will be misunderstood and there are parts of Scotland where the reaction to them could well be hostile. Don't misunderstand me though, most Scots are far too polite to say anything at all! At the very least it may pay to develop a good sense of humour and a thick skin before visiting with that sort of, er um, kilt.

Thank you very much for the reply; this is what I was seeking - practical advice. I guess it will be similar to when I wore my Utilikilt in very, very rural West Texas. They too were too polite to comment but it seemed that every person I saw had raised eyebrows!

Sigh, perhaps the smarter thing would be to wear trousers. Depressing to go to the home of the kilt to wear pants! Well, I have months to figure it out.

[Chas]

Hi Andy,

Have you thought of posting a kilt ahead and picking it up when you finally arrive in Scotland?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Post_Restante

I have used this method for Christmas and birthday presents when I didn't want them arriving at my front door when I was at work.

Regards

Chas

[Andy Ternay]

Hi Andy,

Have you thought of posting a kilt ahead and picking it up when you finally arrive in Scotland?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Post_Restante

I have used this method for Christmas and birthday presents when I didn't want them arriving at my front door when I was at work.

Regards

Chas

No, that is a good suggestion... I have also thought about buying a kilt while in Edinburgh. That may well become another thread where I seek advice of who to buy from.

[chrisupyonder]

Thank you very much for the reply; this is what I was seeking - practical advice. I guess it will be similar to when I wore my Utilikilt in very, very rural West Texas. They too were too polite to comment but it seemed that every person I saw had raised eyebrows!

Sigh, perhaps the smarter thing would be to wear trousers. Depressing to go to the home of the kilt to wear pants! Well, I have months to figure it out.

Just get a generic tartan such as the black watch. You won't have any problems in the tourist places and if out hiking in the hills you will rarely see another person. Edinburgh, anything goes but a UKilt in Glasgow, Dodgy! ya may get mugged. We caravan down the Great Glen and around Fort William very often. Loads of tartan kilt wearers (mostly German) and they are made most welcome.

[MacBean]

The workshop sounds like outstanding fun and in a lovely part of the British Isles. Were I in your position, I'd defer the Scotland trip and explore Cornwall itself further - i's a wonderful place. Should you decide to stay longer in Cornwall, PM me for suggestions.