Visiting Scotland: Sgian Dubh's and Do(bh)n'ts

[creagdhubh]

And as for travelling in Britain, not only would I leave the sgian at home, but the kilt too! For one, it takes up too much valuable space. I'm a notoriously light traveler and I bring a single carryon, even for a two week holiday. I don't check baggage, not after what happened. And second, the last thing I want to do is look even more like an American Tourist than I already do!

Really?!

[gwynng]

And as for travelling in Britain, not only would I leave the sgian at home, but the kilt too! For one, it takes up too much valuable space. I'm a notoriously light traveler and I bring a single carryon, even for a two week holiday. I don't check baggage, not after what happened. And second, the last thing I want to do is look even more like an American Tourist than I already do!

There seemed to be a large chorus of disagreement about a wearing a kilt in an earlier thread. The mass consensus was YES DEFINITELY. I don't really mind being picked out as a tourist since it 'tis what I am. They'll know the second I speak. Of course then again, they'll know it because I will be the one oohing and aahhing at the architecture too.

[Katia]

Well guys have been known to look at a lady's leg from time to time so it it possible that they would be paying a bit more attention.

Somehow I don't think it quite works that way when the lady in question is wearing thick wool socks to her knees. (I always say there is absolutely no sexiness factor to Highland dance whatsoever... a bunch of cross-dressing women in wool from head to toe... lol)

I would be reticent to travel with kilt too, for the same reasons as Richard. I like to travel light as well, and the kilt would sure take up a lot of room. Though I have a feeling that I would regret not bringing it once I was there.


I guess, too, with a sgian, I would be worried about the "traditional dress" caveat anyway. For me, I mean. I'm not sure if being a non-Scottish woman would garner me any sympathy on that front... It's hard to argue "tradition" when you're breaking it at every point...

[Carlo]

Somehow I don't think it quite works that way when the lady in question is wearing thick wool socks to her knees. (I always say there is absolutely no sexiness factor to Highland dance whatsoever... a bunch of cross-dressing women in wool from head to toe... lol)

I quite like wool socks and with some ladies a little bit of wrapping actually adds to the sexiness factor.

[OC Richard]

There seemed to be a large chorus of disagreement about a wearing a kilt in an earlier thread. The mass consensus was YES DEFINITELY. I don't really mind being picked out as a tourist since it 'tis what I am. They'll know the second I speak. Of course then again, they'll know it because I will be the one oohing and aahhing at the architecture too.

About being a tourist, you're right of course, no point trying to pretend you're not one! But my wife and I try to "fly under the radar" and not be blatant about it.

I stand by my opinion though that the kilt takes up too much space. I don't do "casual kilts" so for me "kilts" means a heavyweight 8-yard kilt, the hose, ghillies, and sporran at the very least.

Case in point, I've done two-week holidays in Britain when I've made do with one carryon, as is my custom. But when I travelled to Scotland with the Pipe Band I had to bring pipes and full Pipe Band kit, and I had to bring TWO pieces of luggage (both the rolling carryon size). Yes the band uniform and the pipes took up an entire suitcase.

[OC Richard]

(double post)

[andycwb]

I cant be bothered with trying to haul a carryon bag through the airport and then live in the same couple of changes of clothes for two weeks just to save a few minutes at the airport. Unless I'm taking my SLR camera, I carry as little as possible in the airport (phone, Ipad, charger, documents).

[BCAC]

I cant be bothered with trying to haul a carryon bag through the airport and then live in the same couple of changes of clothes for two weeks just to save a few minutes at the airport. Unless I'm taking my SLR camera, I carry as little as possible in the airport (phone, Ipad, charger, documents).

I think that I would prefer to haul a carryon bag through the airport, not for saving a few minutes, but being sure that anything that I bought with me stays with me (ie is not "lost").

I can't imagine travelling somewhere with loads of THCD (which have taken a lot of time (and a lot of $) to accumulate) and finding that the airline have "lost" your baggage!

[Jock Scot]

I think that I would prefer to haul a carryon bag through the airport, not for saving a few minutes, but being sure that anything that I bought with me stays with me (ie is not "lost").

I can't imagine travelling somewhere with loads of THCD (which have taken a lot of time (and a lot of $) to accumulate) and finding that the airline have "lost" your baggage!

I had never given the "lost" situation a thought until now! I would be absolutely devasted if some of my family kilt attire went AWOL! The cost matters not-----well, OK, it does-----but the emotional cost at the loss of family things would really hurt. Perhaps this is where the idea of not wearing the kilt outwith the Highlands came from?

[Grizzly]

I had never given the "lost" situation a thought until now! I would be absolutely devasted if some of my family kilt attire went AWOL! The cost matters not-----well, OK, it does-----but the emotional cost at the loss of family things would really hurt. Perhaps this is where the idea of not wearing the kilt outwith the Highlands came from?

Ooh err......