Two Telling comments? The Answer Perhaps?

[Jock Scot]

Almost monthly the question is asked here; "why don't the Scots wear the kilt daily?" Or, maybe; "why do the Scots wear the kilt only on special occasions?" And lo and behold two or three stock answers are trotted out and accurate though they are, I have always been left with the feeling that we are missing something. Now, perhaps, I may have one more answer to add to the list and perhaps, to my mind at least, is nearer the mark and may be nearer the truth than many of us might admit. However, I find these off the cuff and to be very clear here, totally innocent and unwitting comments, troubling as many from outwith Scotland, perhaps, will too.

Having spent a restless night thinking about these comments and also thinking about whether I should mention them here and bearing in mind the long and honest thread going at the moment about "wearing the kilt in Scotland" I have decided that I will.

Last evening we had a neighbours son and long term girlfriend call in to see us. Its always nice to see them and catch up with their news and how university is going? How are the grouse doing? Are they catching many salmon this season? That sort of thing. Anyway during the course of conversation, Sally said to Harry that she wished that Harry would wear the kilt more often when at home, like he used to. He would be dressed very much like Johnthebiker's picture in the "wearing the kilt in Scotland" thread . Then came the first bombshell! " I am not going to look like a tourist in my own country" replied Harry in a quite serious voice. Then came the second bombshell! "Oh come off it Harry you dont look anything like a tourist when wearing the kilt!" Reproached Sally gently......... and on went a very pleasent evening.

WOW!!! Thought I, that's a new slant on things! After considerable thought, I wonder if this goes to the subconcious thought processes of local Scots? Perhaps it did even in Victorian times when the wealthy "tourists" did the romantic Highland Thing and it was mainly them with their money and romantic ideas that wore the kilt? Perhaps I have missed this angle for the last 70+ years? Is this a modern way of thinking? In truth, I know not, but I am troubled by those two comments.

What do you think?

[Steve Ashton]

By jove, I think he's got it.

This is my thinking exactly Jock. I wear my kilt while in Scotland, but then I wear a kilt everyday. It is my job. But I am instantly taken for a silly tourist quite often because of it.

I had to explain why I was wearing a kilt more times while in Scotland than I ever am while at home, or anywhere else for that matter.

When I travel around N. America I am greeted with comments like - "I love a man in a kilt." or "It's good to see someone celebrating their heritage." Even comments like "I wish I could wear my kilt more often."

While in Scotland I was met with "Oh, another American came to Scotland and bought himself a kilt."

But I did get my picture taken about a gazillion times by the other tourists, who thought I was a Scot till I spoke.

It's all about the myth, the dream, the romance. Tourists expect to see Scots in kilts and are disappointed. Scots instantly take you for a romance seeking tourist.

[unixken]

Well, Jock, I have heard an expression, whether tongue-in-cheek or not, that says "Two types of people wear the kilt... Scots in America, and Americans in Scotland." Your neighbor's son may be manifesting that perception.

On the flip side, I've been asked on more than a few occasions, while wearing the kilt, if I was from Scotland. So both sides of that coin may be perceived as truer than we'd care to believe.

[MacLowlife]

Well, Jock, I have heard an expression, whether tongue-in-cheek or not, that says "Two types of people wear the kilt... Scots in America, and Americans in Scotland." Your neighbor's son may be manifesting that perception.

On the flip side, I've been asked on more than a few occasions, while wearing the kilt, if I was from Scotland. So both sides of that coin may be perceived as truer than we'd care to believe.

Ambrose Bierce (1842-1914) wrote that, or something very close to it, in his Devil's Dictionary 100 years ago.

Perhaps the closest we can come is "aloha" shirts on people who live in Hawaii.

[Aussie_Don]

Ambrose Bierce (1842-1914) wrote that, or something very close to it, in his Devil's Dictionary 100 years ago.

Perhaps the closest we can come is "aloha" shirts on people who live in Hawaii.

Odd that you mention that...

When I was in the Solomon Islands (SCUBA diving) I noticed that a
high proportion of the natives were wearing aloha shirts -- possibly
because they come in XXXXXXL -- even on the aeroplane going there
a fair percentage of men of Polynesian ancestry (based on appearance)
were wearing Hawaiian shirts( what we call them here.)

So, I'm not sure that it translates.

-Don

[MacLowlife]

You've got me there, Aussie Don.

McMurdo, I think people who depend on tourists almost always have a love-hate relationship with them. Love for the livelihood and something less than love for all of the headaches- not to mention the complete dependence that so many tourist economies create.

But maybe our Scots friends can take a lesson from the Solomon Islanders and wear the kilt ANYWAY. It sounds as if many do, at least on special occasions.

[KentuckyCeltophile]

McMurdo, I think people who depend on tourists almost always have a love-hate relationship with them. Love for the livelihood and something less than love for all of the headaches- not to mention the complete dependence that so many tourist economies create.

But maybe our Scots friends can take a lesson from the Solomon Islanders and wear the kilt ANYWAY. It sounds as if many do, at least on special occasions.

MacLowlife and McMurdo have a great point. I agree totally.
The fact that so many tourists buying and wearing kilts (or aloha shirts, or French barretts, or Kentucky coon skin caps, or Arab keffiyahs) makes it totally ubiquitous. The identity becomes a casual thing. However, that should not be a bad thing. It should be a badge of honor. For instance, Americans love Scots. Upto 10% of the population has Scottish ancestry (more people than in all of Scotland). Not that many people weart kilts, but many of them do. Appalachia (specifically West Virginia and Eastern Kentucky) is so deeply rooted in Scottish ancestry that college courses are taught about the subject. It's kinda sad that we may have inadvertently tainted our heritage by supporting it.

[Ron Abbott]

Does there need to be an explanation?

Maybe so for those outside the country to understand.....

I for one wouldn't wear a kilt daily because I find wearing it for a lot of activities, to be damned uncomfortable.
A suit or a jacket and slacks are far more comfortable. Ditto that for jeans and jersey or whatever.
Then there's all the hassle with sporrans, hose, belts etc. etc. I couldn't be arsed with all that each day!

Maybe many of you will disagree with that and fair on you if you do. It's just a personal opinion.

I suppose adopting the 'Duncan look' (Monarch of the Glen) wouldn't be too bad, at least he wasn't covered in clan this, clan that and clan bloody everything else!

One thing that may relate to me personally but not to the majority is that I think I've overdone it in the past. I used to play in two pipe bands at the same time, also played solo....I was hardly ever out the kilt.

Then there's the fact that I don't want to look like a tourist.
Think tourist in Paris with a red beret on head.
In fact, I actually saw some last year when there.....which is why I specifically mentioned that. By their accents almost certainly from one of the southern states of the USA. I gather they had some sort of French ancestry and were trying to blend in, but all they really did was look very stupid and touristy.

Maybe you should also be asking if there any national groups in particular who like to try and adopt what they think or perceive is the dress that belongs in some way to their ancestors?

I've seen people from all over, China and Japan included wearing the kilt, but the 'loudest dressed' and most frequently clad in outfits sporting 'clan bloody everything' were Americans. Sorry if that offends but it happens to be true.

Then maybe there is the whole 'northern Britons' thing. It's seen as quaint but should really only be brought out on occasions when some sort of national 'costume' is acceptable. And that in itself says something. The word 'costume' rather than 'national dress'.

To Scots is that an issue?

The majority of Scots in our past have lived not in the highlands but in what today is termed as the Central belt or lowlands. Is that part of the issue.....some remnant of seeing the highlands and its culture as being not quite as civilised?

Could it be that for some, the whole kilt and highland thing, clans and all....is seen as just a big invention?

The brigadoonery factor has to be in there somewhere as well. Or maybe that's related to the touristy thing?

However there are people in Scotland who wear the kilt almost every day if not actually every day and they do it out of choice.

My (late) godfather was one. He was a well known Edinburgh icon.

Another was my former boss....whom I don't think actually owned any trousers.

[Cyd]

In Blairgowrie there used to be a couple of older fellas that wore kilts regularly, but that was it. For us, and I think most Scots, a kilt is a substitute for a suit, but even then only on particular occasions. Growing up we used to wear kilts at times to International rugby matches, but that was more tongue in cheek than anything else. Some would paint their faces too in a big St. Andrews cross, but that wouldn't be recommended for everyday garb either.

There definitely is a "I don't want to be mistaken for a tourist" as well as a distinct cultural difference. You don't see many Scots running around in white trainers and sweat pants either, which is frequently the dress that preceded the tourist kilt. I think some of the push back comming from some in this forum when I point out traditionally, you don't dress to show up your host is part of that. Generally the British are much less comfortable loudly dressed and presenting themselves as the center of attention. Being the center of attention is not always a good thing, and wearing a kilt daily is certainly unconventional and likely to attract attention.

If your goal is to make daily kilt-wearing a norm, I wish you luck. I suspect however you will have to be happy being benign form of exhibitionist, which is absolutely fine. Just recognize it for what it is. Especially in Scotland.

[Grouse Claw]

"If your goal is to make daily kilt-wearing a norm, I wish you luck. I suspect however you will have to be happy being benign form of exhibitionist, which is absolutely fine. Just recognize it for what it is. Especially in Scotland."

And there it is, gentlemen, guys, or whatever you like, on the nose, you/we are a collection of eccentric exhibitionists. I think Cyd is right. So we can take down this site.