Scottish outlook on kilted Americans?

[Mark Stephenson]

If the OP is still reading this thread, let me just say this: After a similar thread last summer, I seriously considered not bringing a kilt with me to our planned visit to Scotland. I finally decided to bring a kilt and a tweed Argyll jacket. We spent 3 weeks in the highlands and I wore the kilt to dinner 8 or 9 times. I can say everywhere I went from pubs to very fine restaurants, I was warmly received, and got many nice compliments. I was frequently asked what the special occasion was. I explained that being able to visit Scotland WAS a very special occasion for me, and that never failed to elicit an understanding response.

[pugcasso]

If the OP is still reading this thread, let me just say this: After a similar thread last summer, I seriously considered not bringing a kilt with me to our planned visit to Scotland. I finally decided to bring a kilt and a tweed Argyll jacket. We spent 3 weeks in the highlands and I wore the kilt to dinner 8 or 9 times. I can say everywhere I went from pubs to very fine restaurants, I was warmly received, and got many nice compliments. I was frequently asked what the special occasion was. I explained that being able to visit Scotland WAS a very special occasion for me, and that never failed to elicit an understanding response.

I must say, this is one of my favourite replies to this thread yet .... sounds like a great approach!

[Richrail]

I must say, this is one of my favourite replies to this thread yet .... sounds like a great approach!

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[Dale Seago]

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Ditto!!

[flairball]

I can't believe I just spent a Friday evening reading this whole thing.

Lot's of good info/thoughts on the subject. Don't agree with everything, but seldom do. Like the way so many can disagree, engage in a heated thread, and then just let it all desolve away and remain friends.

Would like to hear more about Jock's shooting, but know this isn't the right forum.

[ThistleDown]

...a big thank you to all of the Scots on this board who, despite your misgivings and worries that we're making off with a symbol of your nation, are always on hand with sound advice and careful suggestions. With your help, I hope we can wear your national dress in a way that inspires pride and that makes you proud (or grudgingly accept) to count us among the kilted.
It's unlikely we'll all move to Scotland, so I, for one, won't meet that particular criterion, but I will do my best to wear it well otherwise!

Maybe I'm a bit Canadian in my outlook (referring to one of Father Bill's previous posts), but I can't wrap my mind around the "it's a free country, I'll do as I please" mentality. I suppose I can understand being your own person and doing as you please, but if you simply want to do as you wish, why frequent a place where advice is requested and given on how to do things properly? Why go out of your way to learn about traditional kilt construction methods, other clothing, tartans, and history? I'll be the last person to tell somebody they don't have the freedom to wear what they like, but I truly don't understand how what I have seen on this forum and that particular attitude can coexist.

On behalf of the Scots who are still here and perhaps even on behalf of the several who went into dormancy and reduced our international perspective in the last day, please accept humble and heartfelt thanks for your understanding, Cygnus, it's what we would have expected of you. There are, of course, some very vocal exceptions, but the vast majority of Scots like the fact that folk all over the world have taken to Highand dress. It doesn't matter to most who wears it, as long as it is worn well. Well, perhaps two more things: that nobody argues its origins and traditions are in the Highlands of Scotland -- and that nobody tries to claim ownership of our National Dress

[OC Richard]

a big thank you to all of the Scots on this board who, despite your misgivings and worries that we're making off with a symbol of your nation, are always on hand with sound advice and careful suggestions. With your help, I hope we can wear your national dress in a way that inspires pride and that makes you proud (or grudgingly accept) to count us among the kilted.

I fully agree. What a great post!

[CMcG]

...There are, of course, some very vocal exceptions, but the vast majority of Scots like the fact that folk all over the world have taken to Highland dress. It doesn't matter to most who wears it, as long as it is worn well. Well, perhaps two more things: that nobody argues its origins and traditions are in the Highlands of Scotland -- and that nobody tries to claim ownership of our National Dress

Thanks, ThistleDown. I think this is a really important statement of reassurance and guidance.

We know that some Scots take a more exclusionary view of kilt wearing and some kilt wearers outside Scotland are concerned about offending them or not being welcome. If the majority of Scots, however, welcome people around the world to wear the kilt and would just like them to maintain standards, tradition, and respect for the kilt, then those kilt wearers who are concerned about what Scots think should consider wearing the kilt -- and wearing it properly -- as the polite thing to do. Oh, and they should probably also buy Scottish-made products

[hylander]

Oh, and they should probably also buy Scottish-made products

Another can of worms . . .

[sailortats]

Could we please bring this thread to a close! There are many people that are now avoiding the site because they no longer feel welcome. And I am referring to Scotsmen as well as those outwith Scotland.