Two Telling comments? The Answer Perhaps?

[Steve Ashton]

By jove, I think he's got it.

This is my thinking exactly Jock. I wear my kilt while in Scotland, but then I wear a kilt everyday. It is my job. But I am instantly taken for a silly tourist quite often because of it.

I had to explain why I was wearing a kilt more times while in Scotland than I ever am while at home, or anywhere else for that matter.

When I travel around N. America I am greeted with comments like - "I love a man in a kilt." or "It's good to see someone celebrating their heritage." Even comments like "I wish I could wear my kilt more often."

While in Scotland I was met with "Oh, another American came to Scotland and bought himself a kilt."

But I did get my picture taken about a gazillion times by the other tourists, who thought I was a Scot till I spoke.

It's all about the myth, the dream, the romance. Tourists expect to see Scots in kilts and are disappointed. Scots instantly take you for a romance seeking tourist.