Quote Originally Posted by Troglodyte View Post
BBC Scotland is currently running a documentary series on Glasgow's Central Station, which might be worth watching to see native Scots wearing the kilt 'in the wild' so to speak.

It features the front line troops of Scotland's famous (or infamous, as the case may be) Tartan Army fans arriving at the station to catch a 'football special' to take them to the Covid-postponed Euro-2020 championships. The variety of styles and outfits is a delight to see, and the seasoned kilt-watcher will notice immediately how little attention is being paid to the 'rules'.

Plumed and decorated Glengarries alongside Jimmy hats, silver-trimmed fur sporrans, coloured saltire sporrans, bespoke premium kilts and kilts that could have been made from the kitchen table-cloth are all there to be seen. All worn for fun and with nonchalance.

And the tour-guide team get fitted-out in 'day-wear' Highland dress, put it on and wear it without a second thought or second glance from passers-by.

Not only is it entertaining to see such a mix of business and pleasure, it is enlightening to see how far from its formal stick-to-the-rules style-code the kilt and Highland dress has been taken in its native land. Inspirational, in other words...
I am away at the moment so cannot view the suggested program.

I do think that whilst what you say is absolutely true, there are no rules.But, BUT, I think some explanations to those outwith Scotland may be helpful.

So no rules, but there are social expectations, dress conventions and traditions to sympathetically consider. Added to which, there are differences of expectations between Glasgow, Edinburgh, lowland Scotland and the Highlands of Scotland. Some of these differences can be explained away by age and cultural differences. Nevertheless, the end result is, a person wearing the kilt in Scotland hardly rates a second look, by the natives. The "look at me" syndrome does not exist.

This may be very difficult for those outwith Scotland to comprehend-----------it is admittedly pretty difficult for the Scots to understand this obsession with kilt rules too---------- and this "look at me" perception that those outwith Scotland appear to be hung up with.

After all too many years on this website it is obvious to me that for those who want guidence on kilt wearing find it very difficult to understand the Scots attitude to kilt wearing and it seems almost impossible for a kilt wearing Scot to explain to outsiders that it is the occasion/event and the conventions that go with it, that guides what is worn, not a rule.

I have no wish to tread on anyone's toes here, but it is clear that this message is finding it very difficult to cross the Atlantic.

Having said all that, good advice is readily given from experienced kilt wearers in Scotland on this website and no doubt will continue and perhaps, perhaps with the hope that one day the message will get through.