Hi Graham -


Re your query about what we Scots think of non-Scots wearing kilts, I think the honest answer would be slightly puzzled admiration but secretly pleased. Pleased because, as the old saying goes, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery so we take it as a compliment that others like our national attire so much that they want to wear it too.

Slightly puzzled because we can't fathom out where some of them got the idea from in the first place. Ok England/Wales/Ireland we can understand, and anyway there are Cornish kilts in England and Wales/Ireland have their own national versions. Canada, Australia, New Zealand we can also understand because there are historical migration links with Scotland but, for example, the American Mid-West?

Admiration because of the sheer amount of nerve it must take. As a Scot I can go anywhere in the kilt without any hassle (apart from the usual idiots found in any country) but for someone in, say, middle America without any Scottish connections to appear in a tartan kilt must take a massive amount of courage - these guys really are true bravehearts!

The only thing we object to is when the kilt is worn badly, ie too long/short. Yes, I know it's a garment, not a costume, but nevertheless we feel a sense of ownership. Like all garments you should wear the proper length for your height which for the kilt means showing a bit of knee. There are those who claim that they feel more comfortable with the kilt covering the knee (modest souls), but I'm sorry, I have to say you look a right prat and you're only getting away with it because those looking at you know even less about how a kilt should be worn! As for too short ie halfway up their thighs, let's just be pc and say I'm not going to sit beside them.