Wearing the kilt in Scotland

[kilttrip]

I have heard many a time and from many different sources that wearing the kilt in Scotland is frowned upon except for attending Games or for special occasions. I have seen lots of pictures however, of men wearing kilts that do not appear to be at any special event, but DO look as though they are in Scotland. These photos show men with or without children (also clad in kilts) standing around in what appear to be village streets. I suppose it's possible that they are coming home from church, but it is a bit confusing. Whatever light you can shine on this issue would be appreciated.

[Father Bill]

To sum up what's been said: If you want to wear it, do so. Everyone will be polite. Other tourists will want their pictures taken with you. Some pretty girls may even crawl all over you. (I do take confession, if need be.) But as soon as you open your mouth to speak, the locals will smile polietely and then roll their eyes as they walk away.

Will you see kilts worn by Scots in Scotland? Yes. In kilt stores. In tourist-traps. Among pipers busking for a quick quid. At weddings (often hires). At special events. Anywhere that tourists are welcomed.

On the street, on the heath, or in offices? No.

[TheOfficialBren]

With the utmost respect, Scotland is actually the last nation on God's green Earth where I would feel comfortable wearing my kilt. I would *like* to wear my kilt in Scotland, though.

I get the distinct impression that the locals almost hate the kilt (ESPECIALLY when worn by outsiders, no matter how respectfully and properly it is worn).

I may be wrong but that is based upon many years of direct and indirect observation and interaction with native Scots on many, many occasions.

I would actually feel more comfortable wearing trews or a tartan tie in Scotland and wear my kilt (ironically) south of the Scottish border (in England) or across the water.

In Canada or any other Commonwealth nation, however I would gladly don my kilt without hesitation.

Again, I may be entirely wrong and this post is submitted with the utmost respect and the understanding that I could be completely wrong.

[KentuckyCeltophile]

Will you see kilts worn by Scots in Scotland? Yes. In kilt stores. In tourist-traps. Among pipers busking for a quick quid. At weddings (often hires). At special events. Anywhere that tourists are welcomed.

On the street, on the heath, or in offices? No.

I found this to be absolutely true when I travelled there. If you check out my album "Great kilts", this was the extent of the kilts I saw in Scotland. As we were part of a bus tour, naturally we stayed in tourist locations. The maitre'd at the Radisson Blu in Glasgow wore a black kilt, but nowhere else. Even the shepherd in the Highlands whose farm we visited wore p**ts.

When I bought my kilt, I made our bus 10 minutes late as a result. My punishment, handed down by our guide, was that I had to wear the kilt to dinner on the last night of our trip. All 42 people on our bus cheered. Well, after a few days our guide forgot and my wife packed it away in our suitcase. However, I was caught before we left for dinner and as I was boarding the bus, our driver looked me over and simply said, "Chicken." All in good fun, many folk in our group expressed their disappointment.

Cheers,
KC

[kilttrip]

OK, another one. How about the Black Watch? At one games here in the U.S. someone called me a murderer - does this bring up bad images of post Culloden and/or the Clearances?

[Manxstralian]

OK, another one. How about the Black Watch? At one games here in the U.S. someone called me a murderer - does this bring up bad images of post Culloden and/or the Clearances?

Really? That's absurdly offensive! They would have gotten a bump on the nose from me!

Tell them it's Grant Hunting.

Actually, my first time kilted was at the MacLean Centenary Gathering, and I wore a Black Watch kilt (without being aware of the Campbell situation). If I can wear it amongst 1000 MacLeans without comment, I'm sure you'll have no issues.

Cheers,

Cameron

[Jock Scot]

OK, another one. How about the Black Watch? At one games here in the U.S. someone called me a murderer - does this bring up bad images of post Culloden and/or the Clearances?

This situation is precisely the type of thing that I was alluding to earlier. Visitors from anywhere in the world visiting anyplace in the world are best advised to keep quiet about local history, or in the case above, out of other peoples history. History is the past, its interesting, it has relevence to the present on occasion and it can be devisive and unhelpful. Armies of all decriptions have marched and counter marched their way around this world since Adam was a boy, some had bad reputations, some units within that army may have a bad reputation and some individuals gathered a bad reputation and the British Army is no more perfect than anyone else's, but I have to say that its reputation is considerably better than some that I can think of! On the other hand, those that came up against any army are hardly likely to have fond memories of them whatever the end result may be. To be blunt, armies deal in death, get real. But its what happens when bugles cease to blow that matters and that is where we are now in Scotland.

We do not need outsiders, who may have a historical grudge to bear, making ill-informed and unhelpfull comments as it just shows total ignorance of the present day situation. The past is the past and what was acceptable 600---300---100----20 years ago, is not now and I make no excuses, or apologies for the past deeds of armies, units or individuals of the past.Yes terrible things were done, even by historical standards, but now is now.

The Black Watch are often thought by visitors to have fought at Culloden, they did not. They were fighting in the Low Countries(Holland/Belgium) at the time.

I think the "murderer" comment was probably to do with more recent events in Ireland--probably the period around the time of Irish independence. A civil War in effect and the Black Watch were part of the British Army. They did their job as was seen appropriate at the time as any army does, and yes, maybe with the benefit of hindsight and from the comfort of an arm chair, historians and those involved can dwell on reasons, tactics, effects, results and lessons from that time and within reason, that is no bad thing.

I will just finish this rather long winded explanation with this. Scotland has buried the hatchet very successfully, the Island of Ireland with its more recent troubles are now trying really hard to bury their hatchet too and comments like "murderers" are far from helpful, particularly from those that do not live(I assume) within the countries involved.

So to finally to answer the question, the Black Watch tartan can be worn by anyone with pride in Scotland, although I think many here regard the tartan as a priviledge for those who served in that proud Regiment.

[BCAC]

OK, another one. How about the Black Watch? At one games here in the U.S. someone called me a murderer - does this bring up bad images of post Culloden and/or the Clearances?

I have to agree with our "statesman" Jock Scott, but I think he gave you a rather "politically correct" explanation. I would just say that the person who called you a murderer at a games in the US was trying to be more Scots than the Scottish (and also trying to show off his perceived historical knowledge, however correct or incorrect that perceived knowledge actually is).

[Jock Scot]

I have to agree with our "statesman" Jock Scott, but I think he gave you a rather "politically correct" explanation. I would just say that the person who called you a murderer at a games in the US was trying to be more Scots than the Scottish (and also trying to show off his perceived historical knowledge, however correct or incorrect that perceived knowledge actually is).

Question: Why write 200 words when two would do?

Answer: Because my two word reply, where the second word was "off", would have got me into an awful lot of trouble with the mods.!

[WillowEstate]

I have to agree with our "statesman" Jock Scott, but I think he gave you a rather "politically correct" explanation. I would just say that the person who called you a murderer at a games in the US was trying to be more Scots than the Scottish (and also trying to show off his perceived historical knowledge, however correct or incorrect that perceived knowledge actually is).

Hmm, I don't think I would agree with your suggestion of "politically correctness", I think Jock was explaining, from his first hand knowledge, the present day situation in Scotland.

That said, I think you are spot on with the rest of your assessment.