Going to Scotland and Barra

**Kanati** · 7th July 14, 10:11 AM

My wife is heading to Edinburgh for a little over three week visit with My Daughter and Son-in-Law (the scot).
She will be attending the Tattoo with a side trip the the Isle of Sky and Glasgow for a wedding.
I am recovering from back surgery and will not be going this year. I will going next year and I do plan on the Tattoo and a trip north to Aberdeen, Huntley and Culloden. I am also going to the Aboyne Games. I want to be kilted for the Tattoo and the games.

**Jock Scot** · 7th July 14, 10:53 AM

Originally Posted by Kanati

My wife is heading to Edinburgh for a little over three week visit with My Daughter and Son-in-Law (the scot).
She will be attending the Tattoo with a side trip the the Isle of Sky and Glasgow for a wedding.
I am recovering from back surgery and will not be going this year. I will going next year and I do plan on the Tattoo and a trip north to Aberdeen, Huntley and Culloden. I am also going to the Aboyne Games. I want to be kilted for the Tattoo and the games.

I hope you don't mind me asking, but why do you and it appears that so many other visitors do too, wish to go to the Edinburgh Tattoo kilted? Just wondering that's all.

**WillowEstate** · 7th July 14, 11:11 AM

Originally Posted by Jock Scot

I hope you don't mind me asking, but why do you and it appears that so many other visitors do too, wish to go to the Edinburgh Tattoo kilted? Just wondering that's all.

Jock, I've only attended the Tattoo once, more years ago than I care to remember. At that time, the seats were made of a wire mesh and nobody had told me that hiring a cushion from one of the vendors outside was a good way to prevent a very sore mesh-patterned backside! A kilt would have served the same purpose. I understand that the seats are now smooth plastic-so this reason is defunct! The warm jacket advice, I would agree with - it can be a raw wind on the Esplanade.

**Kanati** · 7th July 14, 11:28 AM

Originally Posted by Jock Scot

I hope you don't mind me asking, but why do you and it appears that so many other visitors do too, wish to go to the Edinburgh Tattoo kilted? Just wondering that's all.

I have stunning knees

**Jock Scot** · 7th July 14, 12:48 PM

Originally Posted by Kanati

I have stunning knees

Ah yes of course. Obvious really. Thank you.

**cck** · 7th July 14, 03:11 PM

I am one of those Americans who has attended (and thoroughly enjoyed) the Military Tattoo. Formal dress is certainly not required for the performance. You will be sitting in stands with 8000 others and dealing with the crowds on the streets and you enter and leave. Be prepared for cold and or rain. Think more in terms of attending a ball game or any other outdoor affair in the US.

On my two trips to Scotland I counted a total of two men wearing kilts out and about who were not performers or in a job requiring a that form of dress. I did, however, take my kilt and wear it to a couple of more formal dinners I attended and there I was not the only one kilted.

**Liam** · 7th July 14, 04:53 PM

Don't worry about being mistaken for a tourist. That after all is what you are! Be respectful, engage the locals politely and you will have a great time.

Slainte

**Ron Abbott** · 7th July 14, 05:15 PM

I'm not quite sure how to say this without it appearing offensive to our American friends, but it's certainly not intended to be........more an eye opener in the differing cultures on different sides of the pond.....

I'm sure the medals are hard earned and impressive, but in the UK it is not necessarily seen that way when it comes to Americans. It is not a personal thing and it's difficult to explain but it is because of the huge number of ribbons (is that what they are?) that are on your servicemen's chests.

Let me put it this way.....

Not long ago I was on a Canadian naval vessel as a guest. There was a US navy officer on board....he was on attachment to the Royal Canadian Navy. They were all wearing tropical whites without headwear. They looked very much the same.

A Canadian asked me which one I thought was the American and it took less than a second to identify him.....purely by the enormous rows of medal ribbons on his chest. The Canadian replied, "one is for waking up on a Monday morning, the next is for waking up on a Tuesday morning, the third is for visiting the dentist....and so on....."

The Canadians (and Brit who was on board) only wore a few ribbons and they were for service in conflict zones and bravery awards.

So, if you wear medals and rank badges in the UK, be aware that (a) most people won't have a clue what your rank badges are, and (b) if you have dozens of medal ribbons (or whatever they are called in the US), many people will have similar thoughts to the Canadian I mention above.

They mean no animosity, no nastiness, nothing like that.....it's just that you might not get the respect from people that you might think would be normal in the USA.

The whole thing about mixing military shirts, rank badges etc. with civilian gear is also seen as unusual. Yes, Brits will wear medals on civilian clothing at/on appropriate occasions (Remembrance Day etc), the regimental tie will be worn and regimental blazer badges. The old regimental glengarry/TOS/beret/caubeen may be worn at RBL parades and at remembrance days etc. but military shirts with rank badges.....can't say I've ever seen that.

Not being rude or anything like that and I'm not having a go, just trying to let you know that there are differences.

And by the way, as someone who has been in the tattoo; if it rains just think of the poor performers. The following night and the one after that and the one after that.........they are going to have to get all their kit dried and cleaned and sometimes forget the drying bit as it can't be done in time......and still wear it!!

Hope you have a great time. Biggest shame this year is that they have been advertising for civilian pipers and drummers. Although there has long been civilian bands/groups in the tattoo......this is taking it a step further. A result of declining numbers of pipers/drummers in the Regular and Reserve....and/or a result of increasing military commitments overseas?
And as someone who

**WillowEstate** · 7th July 14, 11:18 AM

Originally Posted by Kanati

My wife is heading to Edinburgh for a little over three week visit with My Daughter and Son-in-Law (the scot).
She will be attending the Tattoo with a side trip the the Isle of Sky and Glasgow for a wedding.
I am recovering from back surgery and will not be going this year. I will going next year and I do plan on the Tattoo and a trip north to Aberdeen, Huntley and Culloden. I am also going to the Aboyne Games. I want to be kilted for the Tattoo and the games.

When you visit the Aboyne games (great, by the way), The Huntly Arms by the village green is a great place to stay. The cocktail bar and grill room are not to be missed and will be a lifetime memory. When I stayed for the games a couple of years, it was a combination hotel, part "bus tour" and part private but I believe it is now part of a larger chain.