Wearing the kilt in Scotland

[kilttrip]

I have heard many a time and from many different sources that wearing the kilt in Scotland is frowned upon except for attending Games or for special occasions. I have seen lots of pictures however, of men wearing kilts that do not appear to be at any special event, but DO look as though they are in Scotland. These photos show men with or without children (also clad in kilts) standing around in what appear to be village streets. I suppose it's possible that they are coming home from church, but it is a bit confusing. Whatever light you can shine on this issue would be appreciated.

[Father Bill]

To sum up what's been said: If you want to wear it, do so. Everyone will be polite. Other tourists will want their pictures taken with you. Some pretty girls may even crawl all over you. (I do take confession, if need be.) But as soon as you open your mouth to speak, the locals will smile polietely and then roll their eyes as they walk away.

Will you see kilts worn by Scots in Scotland? Yes. In kilt stores. In tourist-traps. Among pipers busking for a quick quid. At weddings (often hires). At special events. Anywhere that tourists are welcomed.

On the street, on the heath, or in offices? No.

[TheOfficialBren]

With the utmost respect, Scotland is actually the last nation on God's green Earth where I would feel comfortable wearing my kilt. I would *like* to wear my kilt in Scotland, though.

I get the distinct impression that the locals almost hate the kilt (ESPECIALLY when worn by outsiders, no matter how respectfully and properly it is worn).

I may be wrong but that is based upon many years of direct and indirect observation and interaction with native Scots on many, many occasions.

I would actually feel more comfortable wearing trews or a tartan tie in Scotland and wear my kilt (ironically) south of the Scottish border (in England) or across the water.

In Canada or any other Commonwealth nation, however I would gladly don my kilt without hesitation.

Again, I may be entirely wrong and this post is submitted with the utmost respect and the understanding that I could be completely wrong.

[OC Richard]

I have seen lots of pictures however, of men wearing kilts that do not appear to be at any special event, but DO look as though they are in Scotland. These photos show men with or without children (also clad in kilts) standing around in what appear to be village streets.

Could you post some of these, or links to some of these? Then we would probably know when and where they were taken.

I've visited Scotland as a mere tourist and I never considered bringing a kilt, for two reasons

1) that stuff takes up too much valuable room in the suitcase (I travel light, with one carryon only. I don't check luggage.)

2) I would feel awkward, like a Japanese visiting Texas dressed in cowboy boots and Stetson hat and western shirt and huge trophy buckle.

I did wear a kilt in Scotland when playing with our pipe band.

[gwynng]

I wore a kilt several days in Scotland last year and got no eye rolls to my face. Behind my back perhaps, but I still enjoyed wearing it. Yes, lots of tourist photos with fellow tourist (esp. in Edinburgh). But I enjoyed hiking around the Isle of Skye in a kilt. And out pubbing in Edinburgh was treated really well, even to join a local group of lads on a pub crawl, so I felt fine and at home in a kilt. Even got a couple of admiring questions from Scots on the street regarding the tartan (Ramsay red, because Ramsay blue is much more common right now I guess). So I say wear a kilt. Enjoy it.

[Derek]

Having visited Edinburgh n Glasgow several times and also visited the highlands on a few occasions, I never encountered another kilt wearer on any of these trips, apart from the odd busker or two in Edinburgh n Glasgow. I also experienced no problem whatsover, by the fact that I was wearing one on all those occasions either ..
Iechyd Da
Derek

[John_Carrick]

On balance, Scotland is a better place to wear the kilt than anywhere else, because most see the kilt as formal male attire and elsewhere one can be regarded as a guy in a skirt.
I see plenty of people in Edinburgh on a night out wearing the kilt and in Glasgow too. Away from these two cities, kilts are very rare outside tourist related enterprises.
Some Scots do actively dislike the kilt and the cliched image it can give the country, but the convention of wearing the kilt on special occasions only is surely a consequence of the expense of the garment, that it either needs to be hired or treasured as the costly tailored garment it is.
The only Scot ever to take me to task was a lady I bumped into in the South of France, who decided I must be chided for "pretending" to be Scottish. I like wearing a kilt, but whatever people may assume, I don't think I am pretending to be anything.

I think most people in most places like to see the kilt. Those who disapprove will generally say nothing.
The questions tend to be the same in all places: are you going to a wedding/playing in a pipe band/wearing underwear.

[Mael Coluim]

In the last five years I have visited Scotland twice on a vacation kilted the entire time, see threads; Kilted Fortnight Holiday in Scotland & France 2009 and Kilted Fortnight Scotland Holiday – 2011.

My experiences were all positive. The other tourists who wanted a photo cared less if I was Scottish, they wanted a pic of kilted man. I had several nice conversations from the locals who showed no scorn, quite the opposite. I can remember at least two towns where I was told there was full time kilt wearer.

I look forward to doing it again. Who would turn down pretty ladies who wanted a photo with you and guys who wanted to buy you a pint.

Forgive me Father Bill for I have sinned!

[Father Bill]

Oh, Ern! Say 10 little prayers, put something in the poor box, and kiss the nearest pretty girl and you won't be absolved, but at least you'll be happy.

[Norbo]

Im in Nottingham England and I were my kilt when ever I feel like it . Yesterday I took my son to his swimming then went to ASDA to get milk and cat food and I put it on . At the weekend I went to an ABBY with the kids and I had it on . Today im talking my son to his Bowls match and its on and Sunday im out with the family to Twin lakes its a massive park with rides and in door play and so on and you guessed it I will have it on and my son with have his first kilt on for the first time .

I don't dress up I never were my jacket or fancy shoes or tie any of that stuff I got with my kilt. I just put the kilt hose sporran and flashes on and go out just like every day. Im really love my kilt and this week had it on when I went out more then me breaks.