Two Telling comments? The Answer Perhaps?

[thecompaqguy]

I have to say that this thread and the "wearing a kilt in Scotland" thread have completely discouraged me from making my long desired trip to Scotland. Why go when you are going to be considered a doofus no matter what you do. It also makes me look at the kilts I have now and think that they would make good looking dish rags.
I am not accusing anybody of anything, I know you are just speaking your mind without malice but right now I am so very discouraged about the whole kilt thing.

I know that I am quoting something from a long time ago but I think we all feel like this if we get too hung up on who's wearing what and exactly how they are wearing it. T'Challa has the best example of sartorial style, I like the modern London interpretation of the kilt. Sadly as we have got too hung up on THCD etc., I think that is what kills it for many who may lurk and rarely post.

It is nice to stand out as different at times, but all the rules we impose on ourselves probably makes it more likely to reserve it for a few times a year if at all. I rarely see anyone kilted unless it's a busker in Trafalgar Square, though how quickly my local Lidl sold out of kilts recently must show quite a few are more interested in the kilt than we may think

[Grouse Claw]

Many years ago, I was travelling in a train from London to Edinburgh. I was 20. In the compartment with us sat a crusty old kilted Scot. When we got to the border, he sat up and said, "Aye, ye can tell we're in Scotland by the scent of the heather!" We just smiled and raised our eyebrows. We knew what he was talking about, but we hadn't got to the stage of being able to say it. If that old fellow was alive today, he might be 140. So my observation is that he was proud to be a Scot. So I submit that Scots wearing or not wearing the kilt is an attitude of the younger and much younger generation who don't know much about national pride.

[frank_a]

This thread has also discouraged me from planning a trip to Scotland (which we had been doing). As a member of the local St. Andrews Society, I get to wear one of my kilts often enough. But to save the considerable dollars necessary to venture across the pond to get less respect than I do in my own city? I think not.

Having said that, in less than a month (Saturday April 11), I'll marching down 6th Avenue in NYC with a bunch of other kilted folks for the Tartan Day Parade. I will be joined by a number of members of the St. Andrews Society City of Albany, but we will be marching with a number of other St. Andrews Societies near the front of the parade. The fellow who plays Dougal (Graham McTavish) in the Outlander series is the Grand Marshall this year.

Frank

[Father Bill]

At a much earlier stage in my participation here, I also thought of selling off all of my gear and quitting because of posts suggestive that kilts should only be worn by Scots, only by Highland Scots, only in Scotland, and probably only if you could trace your paternal line at least seven generations of kilt-wearing non-foreign-living highland Scots.

Since then, I've taken a more moderate approach that suits me personally, something I would soberly recommend to all and any. I wear my kilt when I wish, but generally only to those venues where it would be appreciated because I don't choose to deal with churlish disrespect. I would likely take a kilt with me to Scotland, but only wear it for the most appropriate and personal reasons, certainly in my own case, not to travel, nor on a daily basis.

Having said that, each kiltie must decide for him/herself when, where, and how to wear it, and be ready to stare down the small-mindedness of a few loudmouths with silent contempt dripping from our eyes.

I think that the best value of XMarks is a place where all speak their minds politely to give folks like me a broader and most importantly, a well-informed position for personal decision-making.

[Liam]

I certainly wouldn't let comments here deter you from visiting Scotland. It is a country of rugged beauty, and the locals are friendly and even speak a similar language.
As to wearing a kilt there, well that is your choice. I did last May and was treated with respect by all but one tourist near Inverness who was disappointed that I wasn't a local. True, I'm sure all the locals knew I was a tourist, but, then I was.

[sailortats]

T'aint nuten wrong with being a tourist as far as I can see. I deal with tourists almost every day on a one to one situation and find most tourists to be fascinating.

[Jock Scot]

T'aint nuten wrong with being a tourist as far as I can see. I deal with tourists almost every day on a one to one situation and find most tourists to be fascinating.

Exactly so! I have always found that having local information very helpful and it is often at odds to what I had generally thought and armed with that information, I have found that the locals appreciate my visit just that bit more. That extra large smile and look in the eye shows that that wee tad of local awareness has not gone un-noticed by the locals. It is a two way acknowledgement of where we stand.

[The Q]

This thread has also discouraged me from planning a trip to Scotland (which we had been doing). As a member of the local St. Andrews Society, I get to wear one of my kilts often enough. But to save the considerable dollars necessary to venture across the pond to get less respect than I do in my own city? I think not.


Frank

Going on holiday or for a visit, anywhere is not something you do to gain respect, you should be visiting to see the sights, see the culture or just laze around somewhere different.
There is plenty to see and do all around the UK and Scotland. I would just pack your bags and go and visit a wonderful place.
Whether kilted or not as long as you don't go down dark alleyways in the middle of the night, nothing will happen to you, if they're laughing behind your back then the same type of brainless idiots will be doing the same where you live. so who cares!!

Respect is something tourists don't get anywhere, behind their backs tourists everywhere are being laughed at / pitied/ taken advantage of/ seen as a source of income. Whether you wear a kilt or not, this will happen to you unless you sit inside your house and never go out.

[frank_a]

We're not going to stop going on holiday, but future holidays will include sun and beaches. My wife is much happier with this plan...

Frank

[The Q]

VScotland can give you the Beaches, and the sun but not necessarily any heat in it!

I must admit I've not Gone anywhere on holiday since 1970, it's always been to visit relatives or somewhere sailing which is so much part of my life that although I enjoy it doesn't seem like a holiday. ( before any one thinks I'm swanning around the Caribbean on yacht, I take a week off each year for my local dinghy / keelboat sailing club regatta )
Still back to Scotland in May to pick up my parents they coming down here for a month (they not seen me in as kilt so that will be a surprise!).