Going to Scotland and Barra

[Jock Scot]

I have stunning knees

Ah yes of course. Obvious really. Thank you.

[cck]

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]

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]

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

[cck]

Wearing a kilt in Scotland - the natives will think you are a tourist, the tourists will think you are a native and you will be asked to be in a lot of pictures.

[DanNeil]

Thanks for all the responses. I am hearing 1) do what you want, 2) a kilt will spell 'tourist' in Scotland, and 3) enjoy the experiences.

I now am thinking I will reconsider my use of military insignia. I DO still plan to wear my kilt at the Tattoo as an audience member, but I will tone down the military paraphernalia. I will chose to be the tourist with a Clan MacNeil look, even if the only one. Though in a crowd of 8000, I doubt if I am the Lone Kilter. Even if I am, I will smile and enjoy being there.

THAT SAID, I do find myself quite SURPRISED by the flowing stream of stereotypes I seem to have waded into. I truly am blind-sided by some of the comments about tourists, American military, and Americans in general. WOW! I appreciate the honesty, but did not expect the sharp edges, though I admit they were said with SOME balance as well.

Part of my thinking before my first post this morning was based on attending the Estes Park Scottish Highland Fest in September 2013. I saw many military shirts and insignia worn by kilted attendees. They were present at informal and formal events. I really did like the look. I liked the pride. I liked the kilts. Then I found X-marks the Scot and found more pride that I identified with.

I asked for comments and I got them. So I will continue processing my kilt plans for the trip. I am glad I am thinking through this ahead of time rather than later.

Re-thinking in South Dakota.
Dan

[Father Bill]

Dan, you're taking the first steps - getting to know that other countries don't necessarily do things the same way. Now travel and experience it and enjoy!

[S Mitchell]

...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.....

I understand what you're saying and I don't, personally, take offense. I can see the humor in the above mentioned Canadian's remarks.

Just so you know, at least in the US Air Force, not all the ribbons worn represent medals. Most of them represent the service member's history, for lack of a better word. They denote training, or overseas service or missions flown and so on. Many of the ribbons are automatically awarded and you can potentially tell more about the service member, given their time in service, by the ribbons they don't have.

I don't remember how many ribbons I was awarded in my four year stint (it was 20 years ago!), but only three of them were medals and if I ever have occasion to wear mini medals with formal attire, all I'd wear is those three.

In any case, I wouldn't wear my dress blues while on vacation, so, by the same token, I wouldn't be inclined to wear some of my uniform with a kilt. But, if I did wear the uniform, I'd wear all the ribbons because . . . that's the uniform. They're required.

[S Mitchell]

THAT SAID, I do find myself quite SURPRISED by the flowing stream of stereotypes I seem to have waded into. I truly am blind-sided by some of the comments about tourists, American military, and Americans in general. WOW! I appreciate the honesty, but did not expect the sharp edges, though I admit they were said with SOME balance as well.

Hi Dan, yeah, it's one of the trickier aspects of this forum. There's strong feelings on both sides of the pond and sometimes folks on both sides feel under attack by the strongly held views of those on the other. The lack of nuance found in face to face conversation surely doesn't help.

But, then, I guess, we're on the same side of the pond and we don't necessarily agree on the use of uniform items with civilian attire, and that's okay. I don't take your views as a personal attack and I hope you don't view mine as such.

We all agree we enjoy wearing the kilt and we all want to wear it to best effect while staying true to ourselves.

[Derek]

From the kilt perspective only and in my own opinion ... just strap your kilt on (and one of your everyday shirts/pullovers n shoes etc) when you leave the house and enjoy your holiday. You will have a fab time and any worries that you have about the kilt will soon disappear.
Iechyd Da
Derek