The kilt cannot be universally accepted

[slothead]

I think we should all be positive about the situation being addressed and avoid complaining generally, and instead post the locations where experience indicates that we should take a second to think about whether we should go kilted (as in east Glasgow perhaps). I wasn't able to see much of Glasgow because of the movie shooting that was going while we were there but we did spend some time near the waterfront (or river-front as it were) and that seemed liked a very hospitable area kilted or not. It would be of significant interest to know where NOT to go kilted if such were the case.

[Liam]

The kilt is not or will be universally accepted, ... Well yes I think it is but primarily as a garment for those of Scottish ancestery. Now some here may think it it is is just for the Scots, or just for Scots north of the Highland line but we have politely agreed to disagree if we we do. Now the modern utility kilt is another matter, and I think there are those that do not think it is an appropriate garment for men. This may have its roots in religious reasons, but again not appropriate for this forum. BTW I am not one.
I was glad to hear that Jock expanded where he was convinced to wear a kilt. Not so that he will likely never do it again due to tics.😉
I recently wore a kilt to an out door function, and I have numerous mosquito bites on the backs of my knees, but shorts would have produced the same results and my kilt hose likely saved my lower legs.
Slainte

[Jock Scot]

Actually Liam I have worn the kilt from time to time out on the hill before and usually with the same result. Its just that I am a slow learner!

[iKiltIt]

I wasn't trying to stir things up with my post. Jock, I hope I didn't offend you or anyone else here. I wasn't trying to be arrogant. I was trying to say that the countries that I would have to NOT wear a kilt in public for religious or any other reason was just a place that I wouldn't want to visit. Then again those are places that I wouldn't want to go to in the first place regardless of rules on kilts.

I never said nor did I mean to imply that America was the only country in the world with freedoms. It's those countries that DONT share those freedoms that I have no desire to step foot in.

Please don't take my post as disrespect. None was intended.

[Jimmy]

So we have this wonderful and mysterious division about the kilt, half the world loves it, the other half look at it with susupicion.
Certain societies, certain cultures, certain religions believe that the kilt is the anti-Christ of modern dress for men, some say it is nothing less than blasphemy to see a man in a skirt, some say its a form of cross-dressing, some say like many up market sports, the kilt is for only the well heeled.
Then we have the societies, cultures, countries that love to see a man in his kilt, here a kilted man is singled out as some sort of dress hero, some sort of sex god , someone who has to be stopped in the street to pose for photos, someone who cannot go on a cruise ship and be left alone in his company without people wanting to engage in conversation with him.
Someone who cannot go to the toile in a public house without someone saying to him " I hope you are a true Scot"
Yes life in the kilt is divisive, hazardous, adventurous, sociable, never being left alone, people giving you side glances, admiring smiles, having to have conversations with strangers in a lift or escalator.
Why do we bother?

[Jock Scot]

So we have this wonderful and mysterious division about the kilt, half the world loves it, the other half look at it with susupicion.
Certain societies, certain cultures, certain religions believe that the kilt is the anti-Christ of modern dress for men, some say it is nothing less than blasphemy to see a man in a skirt, some say its a form of cross-dressing, some say like many up market sports, the kilt is for only the well heeled.
Then we have the societies, cultures, countries that love to see a man in his kilt, here a kilted man is singled out as some sort of dress hero, some sort of sex god , someone who has to be stopped in the street to pose for photos, someone who cannot go on a cruise ship and be left alone in his company without people wanting to engage in conversation with him.
Someone who cannot go to the toile in a public house without someone saying to him " I hope you are a true Scot"
Yes life in the kilt is divisive, hazardous, adventurous, sociable, never being left alone, people giving you side glances, admiring smiles, having to have conversations with strangers in a lift or escalator.
Why do we bother?

Why do we bother? Frankly, for those outwith Scotland, I have no idea!

If you are wanting to find a reason why Highland Scots prefer to wear the kilt above the Highland line then, this is it. Well said Jimmy! The kilt is understood by the locals and not one justification, not one explanation, not one defensive thought, not even a flattering comment is required, as the kilt is part and parcel of Highland Scotland, or perhaps these days in most of Scotland as well.

Interestingly, there is a suspicion of a trend starting in the Highlands where the locals are choosing to wear the kilt less as they do not want to be viewed as tourists in their own country.( See the thread:"Two Telling Comments")

I have said it before here and will say it again. I think anyone wearing the kilt out of its natural surroundings is asking for trouble, snide comments, frowns et al from all directions when they wear the tartan kilt and the Utilikilt style of kilt is only making the matter worse in some people's eyes and minds. Wearing the tartan kilt poorly cannot help either. And yes, there are parts of Scotland still, where the tartan kilt-------and those wearing it----- are regarded with suspicion. I take my hat off to all who do wear the kilt outwith its natural surroundings who may even get a kick out of doing so. But for certain sure, I am not prepared to make that sort of higher profile of myself. Besides I don't have to, I very rarely wear the kilt outwith the Highlands.

[slothead]

So we have this wonderful and mysterious division about the kilt, half the world loves it, the other half look at it with susupicion.
Certain societies, certain cultures, certain religions believe that the kilt is the anti-Christ of modern dress for men, some say it is nothing less than blasphemy to see a man in a skirt, some say its a form of cross-dressing, some say like many up market sports, the kilt is for only the well heeled.
Then we have the societies, cultures, countries that love to see a man in his kilt, here a kilted man is singled out as some sort of dress hero, some sort of sex god , someone who has to be stopped in the street to pose for photos, someone who cannot go on a cruise ship and be left alone in his company without people wanting to engage in conversation with him.
Someone who cannot go to the toile in a public house without someone saying to him " I hope you are a true Scot"
Yes life in the kilt is divisive, hazardous, adventurous, sociable, never being left alone, people giving you side glances, admiring smiles, having to have conversations with strangers in a lift or escalator.
Why do we bother?

I disagree with Jimmy's conclusions. (1) First off, the division of love or suspicion is nowhere near 50% in my opinion. If such a difference was to be measured I would say the numbers are closer to 85/15 (love.suspect). (2) Secondly there is no anti-Christian feeling anywhere relative to the kilt as far as I know, nor should there be since most of those old kilted originals were quite religious (not sure exactly what denomination since they were anti-England but also reveled the saints and at the same time protested against Catholicism). (3) Dress hero, cross-dresser, sex-god - where did these things come from!? That's just malarchy and someone wanting to talk and get attention. Just erase that sentence from the entire diatribe. (4) Someone who can't use public toilet without someone asking if he is a true scot? I've never heard that one before. Sounds lie the lack of a good comeback to me. (5) We bother for a large number of reasons, comfort, respect for the ancestors, wanting a means to start a conversation and to educate in the process, more than I can (or want to) list here.

I'm not sure where your issues are coming from but please keep them under control. And yes I was offended by much of this post (and I realized you meant no offense with any of it - and I mean no offense to you).

[Jock Scot]

Tom.

I am no religious expert, but there is, somewhat perversely, a very strong Christian community in the Western Highlands and Islands and further afield in Scotland too, who do regard even today, the kilt as, not a particularly Christian garment. Just saying.

[Father Bill]

Just for clarification and NOT as a religious discussion, when the word "AntiChrist" is used these days, it generally refers to a "great evil" rather than specifically having to do with Christianity or belief in Jesus.

Let's understand it tht way please, and not let this begin to tread into any discussion of religion which is not acceptable on this forum. Having said that, I think Jock's comments are helpful in untangling this perception.

Maybe time to move in a slightly new direction, folks.

Father Bill
Elsewhere a Priest, but here only a Forum Moderator

[Jimmy]

I disagree with Jimmy's conclusions. (1) First off, the division of love or suspicion is nowhere near 50% in my opinion. If such a difference was to be measured I would say the numbers are closer to 85/15 (love.suspect). (2) Secondly there is no anti-Christian feeling anywhere relative to the kilt as far as I know, nor should there be since most of those old kilted originals were quite religious (not sure exactly what denomination since they were anti-England but also reveled the saints and at the same time protested against Catholicism). (3) Dress hero, cross-dresser, sex-god - where did these things come from!? That's just malarchy and someone wanting to talk and get attention. Just erase that sentence from the entire diatribe. (4) Someone who can't use public toilet without someone asking if he is a true scot? I've never heard that one before. Sounds lie the lack of a good comeback to me. (5) We bother for a large number of reasons, comfort, respect for the ancestors, wanting a means to start a conversation and to educate in the process, more than I can (or want to) list here.

I'm not sure where your issues are coming from but please keep them under control. And yes I was offended by much of this post (and I realized you meant no offense with any of it - and I mean no offense to you).

Well you have had your rant, full of inaccuracies, I believe that if you were a more experienced kilt wearer, wearing a kilt in many different situations and occasions then you would not have ranted so loosely