How Scottish people view tartan

[figheadair]

Obviously tartan is associated with Scotland, but Scottish people are not more likely than anyone else to wear tartan in any form than other people in their daily lives. I know that never in history did the majority of Scottish people wear kilts and belong to clans. So I was wondering if the actual Scots on this forum could enlighten me on how the average Scot in 2022 sees tartan. Is it a stereotype that plays into what I have heard called 'Scottish cringe?' As an accepted national symbol? A bit of both? Without wanting to comment of modern Scottish politics i do notice that nationalists rarely use tartan when campaigning. Just an observation I do not want to start a political discussion. Those of use outhwith Scotland can be very excited by tartan, kilts, and clans but what about those in Scotland.

In terms of the question posed, I'm not sure there is such a thing as the 'average Scot'. The answer will definitely be influenced by age, location and background. I'm too close to the history and industry to have an average or unbiased view. What I would offer by way of example is that my children and the many of their friends are comfortable with tartan and kilts for events and occasions but don't go out of their way to parade it on a daily basis or surround themselves with it at home. My son-in-law, from Mull, was married in a kilt, his father, from Ayrshire, never has, and never would, wear one. Many of the older generation come from a time when only the better off could afford a kilt, and generally only those in the Highlands wore them. There has been a generational change recently.

The bottom line is that those born and brought up here do not need tartan as an everyday reminder of their identity.