Two Telling comments? The Answer Perhaps?

[Orionson]

Just for the record... and, I can only speak for myself, I live in Scotland on the Isle of Skye and I wear my kilt with some regularity in my daily routine day to day activities - going to the Post Office, and to the Co-op for my shopping, or just ambling about. I don't feel uncomfortable or out of place. There are also a few others, granted, not many, who do the same.

My advice, for whatever it's worth, is be true to your heart and be yourself with confidence and understated resolve. If you want to wear your Kilt in Scotland, by all means do so.

[Jock Scot]

Just for the record... and, I can only speak for myself, I live in Scotland on the Isle of Skye and I wear my kilt with some regularity in my daily routine day to day activities - going to the Post Office, and to the Co-op for my shopping, or just ambling about. I don't feel uncomfortable or out of place. There are also a few others, granted, not many, who do the same.

My advice, for whatever it's worth, is be true to your heart and be yourself with confidence and understated resolve. If you want to wear your Kilt in Scotland, by all means do so.

To be clear here, no one, not one of us, has ever said "don't wear the kilt in Scotland". However, quite a lot has been said in this thread and others that advises those from outwith these shores not to expect a local fanfare and cheering as you leave your hotel wearing the kilt. Wear your kilt by all means, wear it with the suggested "understated resolve" and all will be well. Some Scots may not understand why you should want to do so, it is true, but the Scots on the whole, completely understand that some visitors do wish so to do.

[Reiver]

To be clear here, no one, not one of us, has ever said "don't wear the kilt in Scotland". However, quite a lot has been said in this thread and others that advises those from outwith these shores not to expect a local fanfare and cheering as you leave your hotel wearing the kilt. Wear your kilt by all means, wear it with the suggested "understated resolve" and all will be well. Some Scots may not understand why you should want to do so, it is true, but the Scots on the whole, completely understand that some visitors do wish so to do.

Jock, and all that have been active on this subject, thanks for the time and patience to explain an abstract.
I appreciate, especially, the comments from those that live in Scotland and those that visit there often.
Eyes on target always beats an educated guess.

Retired now (64) and have more time to devote to my passions one of which is history in general and my families part in our US history specifically. Jerome Scott came to the Colonies in the 1700's etc. and I'll not blather on about that but it got me hooked on the history of the Borders and the families there so here I am.

For whatever reason, and some have given numerous opinions, the Duke of Buccleuch invites world wide Scott's to the borders for common ridings and family events every 5 years. Besides his holdings that would be great to investigate (Bowhill etc.) I'd enjoy just taking in the country as I've read about it from a reiver's standpoint. That looked to be fun and interesting. Our US Society had attendee's last time out and reported a great time.

I've read this thread thru twice (once a bit put off honestly and the second time to rationally absorb) along with "Too Traditional" and "Wearing the Kilt in Scotland".

I believe I've a good understanding now of the Scot's general viewpoint as to non Scots (not native born) wear of kilts. I also understand 'our' somewhat different view can lead to a bit of a rub.

The youth of our Country and the fact that we are all from elsewhere makes us, I believe, grasp our family roots in a possessive manner that is strange to the native born. I don't think any of us 'see' Scotland in a fairy tale book like manner but we do see it in a historical wrap that encompasses a less than day to day realism. I had to see that thru your eyes to really understand that and how it translates.

If, when, we go I'll wear a kilt to affairs that call for it by event. If I decide to wander about aimlessly kilted I'll smile with a wink/nod at the 'broad smile' of locals and quietly ask..."As tourists go how do I look?" and broad smile back. I've a good handle now too on a good casual look from this thread.

Thanks all for your thoughtful input and one final question.

Would a Regimental tartan be more acceptable rather than clan/family? There is a US Special Forces tartan registered and that might take a bit of clan this/clan that issue from the fray.

[Jock Scot]

Reiver.

Thank you for your post and your perception. To answer your question about wearing an "acceptable tartan". Most Scots could probably recognise perhaps 5 tartans at best. We, as a whole, really do not go into tartan and kilt attire at the same depth as we do on this website. However, it is generally understood that one tartan is worn, whatever that might be. I am sorry to say that I, amongst most Scots, would have no idea what the US Special Forces Tartan looks like, but just wearing that tartan will not raise an eyebrow, from the tartan aspect at least.

Alright you have a pretty fair understanding of Scotland's way of thinking, but-----------.

Please remember that Scotland is a jumble of nationalities too. A mixture of roots and genes do certainly go way back(as do those in Native Americans I think) and Scotland is still absorbing those from other countries to this day. Vikings and Normans in more recent times, Italians in the early 1900's, Poles from WW2, Poles again, Latvians, Estonians, Chinese, and many from the Indian continent too. So America does not have the monopoly with incomers.These incomers whilst not forgetting their roots do actually regard themselves pretty quickly as Scots and the Scots regard the incomers as Scots pretty quickly too. Thankfully we seem to avoid this Norman-Scots, Viking-Scots, Italian-Scots, Polish-Scots etc. thing, unless an in depth family discussion around the dining room table takes place.

If I may say so you have missed one vital aspect and that is the difference between the thinking of Highland Scots and Lowland Scots. It is only in my lifetime that kilts have been worn by the Lowland Scots and I can well remember the derision that the lowland Scots dished out to the Highland Scots and their kilts. I have to admit to having a wry smile when the Lowlanders start telling the world how to wear the kilt. Please remember that the kilt is Highland Scots attire not Scottish attire, well until very, very recently anyway.

In my youth, I well remember listening(not well enough sadly!)to my Grand Father and a very senior Highland Clan Chief discussing the subject of there are really only 12, I think it was, Clans----Highland Clans at that------that actually could genuinely claim and wear Clan tartans as there are only 12(?) genuine Highland Clans.--------Don't shoot the messenger!------. So things have moved on a tad from that stance, over the last 70 years or so!

[brob2]

Yes Jock, we do tend to take a heritage a bit seriously, as I suspect do diasporas of other nations. My mother's father was a third generation Elliot in Canada, while both my grandmothers were Urquharts, descended from the same emigrant born in Cromarty in 1715. My mother and my Elliot relatives celebrated their 'Scottishness' much more loudly than my grandmothers families did, and I distinctly recall being taken to a Burns supper in my younger years to which a I wore an Urquhart tie I had been given. My mother was livid. She demanded I wear an Elliot tie and so when I refused to change it I was subjected to her cold displeasure for the length of the evening. I can say I didn't get it then, and I don't get it now. I'm interested in Scottish heritage and find it and Scotland's history fascinating but I dare say the same would be true if I were persian or whatever. It just gives us something to relate to and be a part of or belong too; simple, healthy nutrients for our soul.

[Jock Scot]

Yes Jock, we do tend to take a heritage a bit seriously, as I suspect do diasporas of other nations. My mother's father was a third generation Elliot in Canada, while both my grandmothers were Urquharts, descended from the same emigrant born in Cromarty in 1715. My mother and my Elliot relatives celebrated their 'Scottishness' much more loudly than my grandmothers families did, and I distinctly recall being taken to a Burns supper in my younger years to which a I wore an Urquhart tie I had been given. My mother was livid. She demanded I wear an Elliot tie and so when I refused to change it I was subjected to her cold displeasure for the length of the evening. I can say I didn't get it then, and I don't get it now. I'm interested in Scottish heritage and find it and Scotland's history fascinating but I dare say the same would be true if I were persian or whatever. It just gives us something to relate to and be a part of or belong too; simple, healthy nutrients for our soul.

Hello Bob. I can only talk of this heritage thing from a Scottish and personal point of view with any strength, but my impression is that there are significant differences in style of thinking and celebrating it from one side of the pond to the other. It is not a question of right, or, wrong, but there is I think, quite a marked difference between them nonetheless. This is why these threads are so useful in informing each other of these differences in style.

[neloon]

I have a suspicion that it's a US thing, and, perhaps to a lesser extent, Commonwealth. I don't think that Scottish/Welsh/Irish diasporas in the UK retain an interest in their ancestors beyond perhaps one or two generations at most. So it may be something to do with geographical distance from roots - it's easy to visit the "homeland" if the mood takes you.
Alan

[Reiver]

Jock,
I understand the difference between a borderer and a Highland Scot pretty well actually. It's been a study of mine.
I know the Highland dress has been 'adopted' most recently by the lowlanders and borderers (for special occasions). This being a push by the gentry awhile back.
I'd say, from my studies, that the Clan/Family of the borders back in the day was easily as strong as a Highland Clan from a survival standpoint....and that that point is also actually irrelevant today at both ends.
The kilt I presently own that might travel is Scott Red modern, the most commonly recognized I'm told.


I've one tough question for you that you may ignore if you'd like. This I think is a salient point for outlanders.

The born a Scot is a Scot I get...makes sense. The immigrant and living there now a Scot I too get.


The outlander feeling of kinship, that we honestly harbor, due to bloodline and name comes from us certainly but also from a Scots 'export' of same.


It appears, put bluntly from what I've read here, that it is an economically manufactured kinship. The marketing and selling of trappings to the diaspora.

[Jock Scot]

Reiver.

Just to be clear the Lowlands of Scotland start roughly, just South of Perth but in truth whilst there is a Geographical fault line, the Lowlands as far as this discussion goes is "somewhere" just North of Glasgow and Edinburgh Southwards!

In answer to your very good question and from where I stand my short answer is:- " Yes. Its really a classic case of willing buyers and willing sellers. But that leaves a multitude stuck somewhere between the two camps. "

The longer answer on reflection, is:- " This is precisely the issue that "Harry" and some of his generation are concerned about. After some 150 years of the Scottish tourist industry ruthlessly selling biscuit tin history and acres of tartan etc., to starry eyed visitors and anyone from anywhere, it is time to be rather more honest about the selling of Scotland and that means educating their customers away from the "romantic Scotland' that has served Scotland and its customers so well. "Harry" is of the opinion that Scotland has beautiful world class scenery, it has top notch goods such as shooting, fishing, whisky, and food, it has fantastic historic sights by the multi-dozen, so it is time for the romantic clap trap to be retired.But Scotland is not a theme park. A mammoth task for sure, but I do think it needs to be done for all concerned.

[neloon]

A mammoth task for sure, but I do think it needs to be done for all concerned.

Indeed, and we need all the help we can get. There are many non-Scots on this site including, I suspect, Reiver with enough real knowledge, sensitivity and wisdom to work at this furth of Scotland. So, Reiver, visiting us as often as possible will enable you to be rooted in Scotland in a realistic way. And ask us lots of questions as you go about. You will get conflicting answers but you can just give "a broad smile". Surprise, surprise, we Scots are not all the same. But, when we're all added up, it makes some kind of sense.
Alan