Bagpipe ban for tat shops

[Jock Scot]

Fellows, I'm starting to feel like an intruder for loving and admiring things that are Scottish. I'm starting to wonder if I should just wear trousers, sell off my kilts and jackets, and leave my membership here.

I don't think for a minute that it's the true intent of either Scots in general or highlanders in particular, but please, Highlanders, advise me: where am I truly welcome in this culture? What can I do that is appropriate and would be respected?

I don't want to pretend anything and I don't want to offend anywhere, but I discover that I do have relatives living in Scotland for centuries and it gives me great cheer, and then . . . .

Just looking for advice from the Scots.

A good question and from a personal point of view (many Scots probably think along the same lines)my answer is :-

As long as the traditional kilt is worn well and with respect then I am flattered that others from outwith Scotland wish to wear one. There was a time when I really felt very uncomfortable with others from outwith Scotland wearing the kilt, but a certain amount of realism has dawned upon me over the years.

Where I really get brassed off is when a non Scot says "to hell with that, I will wear the kilt when,where and how I like" and yes we get that comment on this website! Although I fancy, not as often as we used to.

Now the "wear what I like" brigade will often use pictures of the "Tartan Army" to justify their view and fair enough, but and I repeat BUT, what is not understood by non Scots is that the "TA" know how to wear the kilt properly should the occasion arise.

One of the reasons(not the only one) that I spend more than a wee tad of my time on this website is to try and educate, encourage and help non Scots into wearing my national attire----yes I do think it is that------ properly.That way, when I see the kilt being properly worn I can AND DO feel just more than a wee tinge of pride to think "there goes my Scots national attire and doesn't it look damn good!"

Of course I have to accept that the weather in other parts of the world is not like Scotland's! Well, with a spot of imagination as shown by more than a few threads at the moment, the "spirit" , not the "letter" necessarily, of traditional kilt attire can still be achieved, which in my view does great credit to those that try to stay within the traditional Scots kilted look.

Which brings me onto the "modern style of kilt"(non traditional kilts) and there is no getting away from it , they do cause me problems and I think many other Scots too! Thankfully, in my experience, they are not a common sight in Scotland (I have never knowingly seen one), but I have to accept that in other places in the world they are popular with some people.

[Father Bill]

A good question and from a personal point of view (many Scots probably think along the same lines)my answer is :-

As long as the traditional kilt is worn well and with respect then I am flattered that others from outwith Scotland wish to wear one. There was a time when I really felt very uncomfortable with others from outwith Scotland wearing the kilt, but a certain amount of realism has dawned upon me over the years.

Where I really get brassed off is when a non Scot says "to hell with that, I will wear the kilt when,where and how I like" and yes we get that comment on this website! Although I fancy, not as often as we used to.

*snip*

Which brings me onto the "modern style of kilt"(non traditional kilts) and there is no getting away from it , they do cause me problems and I think many other Scots too! Thankfully, in my experience, they are not a common sight in Scotland (I have never knowingly seen one), but I have to accept that in other places in the world they are popular with some people.

Thank you Jock - a thoughtful response, and I respect and appreciate your input here and so very often through the forum. Much of what you have said above resonates with me, but I am humbled into a bit of a corner. I sincerely hope that I don't offend by either my kilt-wearing or my discomfort.

Bill+

[CMcG]

One of the reasons(not the only one) that I spend more than a wee tad of my time on this website is to try and educate, encourage and help non Scots into wearing my national attire----yes I do think it is that------ properly.That way, when I see the kilt being properly worn I can AND DO feel just more than a wee tinge of pride to think "there goes my Scots national attire and doesn't it look damn good!"

<snip>

Cheers Jock, you've certainly had a strong, positive impact on my kilt wearing and I'm sure many others on this site well.

[WillieMacG]

Where I really get brassed off is when a non Scot says "to hell with that, I will wear the kilt when,where and how I like"

Scots.

[Jock Scot]

Scots.

As Scots they are quite entitled to say how, where and when they should wear THEIR National dress! The Tartan Army are in fact quite vociferous about it!

However, I personally, would rather wish that they did not wear it that way!

[English Bloke]

I really believe that to overcome this menace to Scottish culture (maybe a bit melodramatic on my part that) the Scots MUST encourage the sales of Kilts and genuine Scottish accoutrements (quality sporrans, jackets etc.) abroad. There is a huge potential market overseas... (err, possibly not in England although that's not for the want of trying) whereas the market is visibly withering in Scotland.

One Scottish kilt bought in a generation (as is the tradition maybe?) won't keep the Mill workers and the Kiltmakers employed for very long... and when it's gone, it's gone. That would be a terrible shame and I honestly believe that trading with the Diaspora and anyone else who wishes to wear the Kilt, wherever they may be will be the only thing that saves these fine Scottish articles.

It would be an irony if in a few years, after complaining about the Non Scots so vociferously, The Scots had to go to the Kiltmakers of North America in order to buy an 8 yard, custom made, wool kilt or a quality hand made sporran because the home grown product had dried up. I'd hate to think that there may come a time when all that is left for sale in Scotland IS from Lidl and the shops on the Royal Mile. And I'll bet these "cheap knock-offs" won't be had for around forty quid a throw then either.

Incidentally, of the three Kilts in the centre of the picture above, two are sold by outlets like the high street vendors in question as well as ebay and the like. One is "Freedom" tartan (left of picture) and the other is "Heritage of Scotland" tartan (right) both come in a PV fabric and are worn for pubbing it generally. Nothing wrong with that, just pointing out that it isn't just the duped tourists who are buying them. Assuming of course that the Scots in this photo ARE Scots.
(I have no reason to doubt you Willie, I just don't know your source).

By the way, not having a go at anybody, don't want a fight, just expressing a few thoughts I had while reading the thread. If I'm out of order, please tell me and I shall move on.

And by the way again... What exactly is wrong with Blackpool? It's the best holiday destination in all of Lancashire I'll have you know! Lots of Scots people go there. (hehehehe)

[Bidule]

Wherever you go, you always find the moneychangers in the Temple... Here also, in Belgium, I am always sorry when I see Japanese tourists who buy enthusiastically of the said lace " from Brussels " but in fact fabricated in China... Even though I am in no way Scotsman by my blood, I am proud to be linked with respect to a long tradition. That's why I am irritated by the dealers which sells cheaply the picture of Scotland. That you are Scottish, English, American, Canadian or even Belgian, be proud of your love of the kilt and all that it represents!

[madmacs]

And by the way again... What exactly is wrong with Blackpool? It's the best holiday destination in all of Lancashire I'll have you know! Lots of Scots people go there. (hehehehe)

Now you dont really want me to answer that... I recently went on a communications course over here courtesy of management... I suspect too many of the colonials were having issues with me not candy coating things... So one of their suggestions was when you have to deliver bad news, use the hamburger method, so here goes...

Dont they make great chips in lancashire... Somthing to do with beef lard for frying them i think (course now we just made the yorkshire folks mad... Just as well they dont both hold grudges about the war of the roses huh?)

Golden mile... Tat shops... Nuff said...


And they had that super duper fastest in the world roller coaster (or was it the fastest wooden coaster in the world)

well not sure if that worked, but they said you'd now be really happy about the bad news...

Honestly though... I did get a pair of really nice spanish leather cowboy boots from a shop in Blackpool about 15 years ago... Still have them

[WillieMacG]

Incidentally, of the three Kilts in the centre of the picture above, two are sold by outlets like the high street vendors in question as well as ebay and the like. One is "Freedom" tartan (left of picture) and the other is "Heritage of Scotland" tartan (right) both come in a PV fabric and are worn for pubbing it generally. Nothing wrong with that, just pointing out that it isn't just the duped tourists who are buying them. Assuming of course that the Scots in this photo ARE Scots.
(I have no reason to doubt you Willie, I just don't know your source).

They are indeed Scots. Photo was on a Scottish forum I frequent.

My one word illustrated remark was also not intended to be combative. I was simply, (and graphically,) pointing out that "non-Scots" are not the only offenders when it comes to falling victim to the vendors and dressing out in a non-traditional manner. Personally, I know that someday when I finally visit Scotland, one of the many Scottish "web" friends I have made over the years will steer me well clear of the tourist traps to the "real" Scotland.

[Geoff Withnell]

One of the reasons(not the only one) that I spend more than a wee tad of my time on this website is to try and educate, encourage and help non Scots into wearing my national attire----yes I do think it is that------ properly.That way, when I see the kilt being properly worn I can AND DO feel just more than a wee tinge of pride to think "there goes my Scots national attire and doesn't it look damn good!"

Jock, Speaking as a "generic Celt" - Welsh, Scot, and Irish, I really appreciate the viewpoint of a traditional Scot. While I may not follow your advice 100%, I feel it gives me a solid foundation to work with. I like to think I could usually give you that "wee tinge of pride". I try to feel pride whenever I go kilted.