The Kilt Kops

[chrisupyonder]

I have read through this thread again and going back to the begining, I agree with everything Steve said in the original post.

I respect everyones opinion, they have a right to their opinion. I have mine and would never enforce my opinion on anyone else. But here is a little story.

We visited Blair castle. The man at the gate taking the entrance fee was in his 50s. Born and bred in the highlands through donkeys years of generations. He asked what my tartan was, I told him and we had a little chat. Then he said it was nice to see someone wearing a kilt instead of the silly tartan trews (his exact words) the male staff had to wear. He was fed up of being asked by tourists why he was not wearing a kilt instead of tartan pants and wished they would give the male staff the option.
He himself said he wore a kilt very often out of work, not just for very special occasions. In his opinion he was in the tourist industry in the highlands of Scotland at one of the major castles and tourists expect to see kilts and not trews which in his opinion were never highland dress.
He did not mind that I was not a true Scot but I did tell him before we parted why I was a MacLaren.
I was asked many times at tourist attractions, what was my tartan, by mostly staff but once or twice by a tourists. I was never asked why I was wearing a kilt.
I have come to the opinion since coming home from our 6 weeks tour that most of the locals enjoy seeing the kilt being worn, especially the middle to elderly local ladies. My wife on more than one occasion commented on this. and we did seem to get better and more attentive service in shops and restaurants. This was also noted by my wife.
I would advise anyone coming to Scotland to wear a kilt if they want, they will be welcomed. The locals will want to know your tartan because it will probably be one that they have never seen. They usually only know their own and perhaps a few others as worn in their area.

I should add that I have only been asked why am I wearing a kilt or what's the occasion at home by people I know.

Best regards and respect.

Chris.