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  1. #1
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    Red face

    I might have guessed Jock Scot would be first to respond. Your level head and kind encouragement has been a staple to my kilted journey right back to the beginning. Thank you, sir!

    Lots of great advice all around. One thing that I think has jaded the way I see wearing the kilt in Scotland are the tourists where I come from in Nashville, Tennessee. While it is the Home of Country Music with images of cowboy boots, Wrangler jeans, and big cowboy hats, the running joke there is that if someone passes by in a cowboy hat in Nashville, the locals turn to each other with a knowing glance, a shake of the head, and mumble “…tourist”.

    Every time I’m on the Royal Mile, I see a handful of tourists wearing their newly purchased acrylic wool kilts (a shocking number even wearing them backwards). As someone who is “local” now, I seem even more aware of how they stick out like a sore thumb and I can’t help but feel reticent to add to the image of “out-of-towners” chasing a fantasy of Scotland.

    For the record, I say all of that with not a small degree of empathy for these tourists. My first stop in Edinburgh the first time I visited in 2007 was one of the gaudy shops on Princes Street (“Pride of Scotland”, I think it was). I was just as wide-eyed and naive as any I see today — if not more so. So my tendency is to encourage (and maybe gently guide) folks when I can because it’s what I wish someone had done for me.

    Anyway, thinking about this, I realise that the cowboy boots of Nashville and the kilts of Scotland are similar in some ways, but there are plenty of ways they are different. I appreciate the suggestions to wear the kilt in non-touristy areas. I think that’s what I will likely do.

    For those from Scotland, though, what are your thoughts if you were to encounter someone in Scotland wearing a kilt and then hear them speak in the unmistakeable American accent? I tend to assume there would be some shaking of the head — just as in Nashville with cowboy hats — but maybe that isn’t typically the case. My experience is that the Scots really seem to be much better at avoiding judging people than many US Southerners I’ve known. ;)
    -Adam
    Not all who wander are lost... -Professor J.R.R. Tolkien

    I hoip
    in God!

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  3. #2
    Join Date
    6th July 07
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    Well most of us have been tourists at one time or another, so on the whole I tend to treat our visitors with a pleasant smile and a hello. Most visitors are enthusiastic and courteous in their holiday surroundings and on the whole if, I have time-----I am retired----- I give them a bit of my time to have a brief chat.

    What I----many of us,---- do avoid is the visitors "dreaded tartan justification lecture" which usually goes into minute detail of their ancestors, tartan, etc. and can last hours!-------If you are not careful. Oh yes, they happen! Of course visitors to most parts of the world are enthusiastic, particularly if they feel that they have a connection to the place, but the locals do need some consideration too.

    However you and your family have taken a huge step to actually live here and that in my book, does, if I may say so, get my respect and I hope you and your family are made very welcome and enjoy your time here. From what I read in the posts on this website, I can quite see that there are often quite large differences in attitudes, thinking and styles, between one side of the Atlantic and the other. For that "I doff my bonnet" to you and your family for giving this side of the Atlantic a try!
    Last edited by Jock Scot; 17th May 25 at 04:36 AM. Reason: found my glasses!
    " Rules are for the guidance of wise men and the adherence of idle minds and minor tyrants". Field Marshal Lord Slim.

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  5. #3
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    Quote Originally Posted by SoulFyre777 View Post
    For those from Scotland, though, what are your thoughts if you were to encounter someone in Scotland wearing a kilt and then hear them speak in the unmistakeable American accent? I tend to assume there would be some shaking of the head — just as in Nashville with cowboy hats — but maybe that isn’t typically the case. My experience is that the Scots really seem to be much better at avoiding judging people than many US Southerners I’ve known. ;)
    I think I qualify to answer this...

    During the season, I meet a good many Americans (as well as other nationalities) who wear the kilt and Highland dress impeccably. They generally have stricter attitudes to what is, or is not, 'done' and so appear close to the ideal as it is shown in cataloges and the like. They are a pleasure to see.

    We Scots at home are much less strictly concerned with appearing to know the form, and no doubt much of what we do would raise eyebrows amongst the purists.

    Here, few are concerned about wearing the outfit that is the 'approved' style - Tattersall shirt with striped tie, bold check tweeds and reproduction tartans make a wonderfu combination for the classic look, but the number who dress with such care and effort here in Scotland might surprise most foreign visitors - it is not many!

    In my experience, few men in Scotland own a kilt, and those who do usually have just the one which gets worn to weddings, ceilidhs, gatherings and games - or the footie - and what gets worn with it, such as open-neck shirt, tweeds or evening doublet, depends on the occasion.

    Foreigners wearing Highland dress appropriately cannot fail to please native Scots, in the same way that treating it as if indulging in some kind of Brigadoon/Braveheart fantasy, with banners and weaponry, is seen to be silly and irritating.

    Americans do themselves a disservice in thinking they are the only ones who get it wrong - there are probably many more who get it 'right' that go unnoticed for that reason. Having an accent, being loud and attracting attention is a bit of a cliche for Americans, and is unjust. Americans are frequent visitors to the museum where I work, and are withoout exception quiet and courteous - often noticably so - and their genuine enthusiasm for the heritage and history we have on display is hugely gratifying.

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  7. #4
    Join Date
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    Kilted in Scotland

    As Troglodyte mentioned that men in Scotland wear kilts "to weddings, ceilidhs, gatherings and games - or the footie." I'd like to ask if it would make sense that you perhaps might wear the kilt to events where the kilt is considered more the convention? At least at first, and then branch out to other occasions as you feel more comfortable.

    I would also like to ask; what is a "footie?"

    Cheers,

    David
    “If you want people to speak kindly after you’re gone, speak kindly while you’re alive.”
    Bob Dylan

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  9. #5
    Join Date
    27th September 08
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    Quote Originally Posted by kiltedsawyer View Post
    I would also like to ask; what is a "footie?"

    Cheers,

    David
    The footie is referring to football (soccer).😉

  10. #6
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    Quote Originally Posted by kiltedsawyer View Post
    As Troglodyte mentioned that men in Scotland wear kilts "to weddings, ceilidhs, gatherings and games - or the footie." I'd like to ask if it would make sense that you perhaps might wear the kilt to events where the kilt is considered more the convention? At least at first, and then branch out to other occasions as you feel more comfortable.

    I would also like to ask; what is a "footie?"

    Cheers,

    David
    We must not forget that the kilt is worn on occasion-------quite often by some------ for no reason at all. Just like I am at the moment!
    " Rules are for the guidance of wise men and the adherence of idle minds and minor tyrants". Field Marshal Lord Slim.

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  12. #7
    Join Date
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    I'm just catching up on this interesting thread.

    I can relate as I'm American, and also from Texas - one of the handful of places in America that people in other countries have actually heard about. As such, our stereotypes are often why they know about it

    In the cities there really aren't many people who wear boots and hats. A few, maybe........ But there are still genuine cowboys that wear that "costume" every day. Its just normal clothing in rural parts of the state, and perhaps many other places in the West and South.

    I can also relate because I plan to visit Scotland in the near future, and really wanted to wear my kilts to at least some of the places we plan to visit. I figured dinner would be a good occasion, and I thought distilleries would also be well suited. Although distilleries would doubtlessly be filled with 100% tourists.

    As OP will be living in Scotland, I expect that after perhaps an initial visit to some typical tourist spots, he and his family will probably not have to worry too much about being confused for a tourist in their normal, everyday life. Probably don't see many tourists at the grocery store or normal restaurants.

    What about a golf course ? I've never golfed in a kilt, but wondered of all the usual places you might see a man in a kilt, is a golf course one of them ? Pockets are extremely handy for golf, so perhaps simple logistics would make it impractical. Anxious to see what y'all think.....

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  14. #8
    Join Date
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    Quote Originally Posted by CBH View Post
    I'm just catching up on this interesting thread.

    ................

    What about a golf course ? I've never golfed in a kilt, but wondered of all the usual places you might see a man in a kilt, is a golf course one of them ? Pockets are extremely handy for golf, so perhaps simple logistics would make it impractical. Anxious to see what y'all think.....
    Errrrr be careful. I am no golfer, so I can’t speak of personal experience, but a well respected American member here on this website, a keen golfer, some time ago, tried to Tee off on one of THE famous golf courses here wearing his kilt. He was asked to change into trousers before taking his first stroke.

    Just saying.
    Last edited by Jock Scot; 19th May 25 at 09:19 PM. Reason: Found my glasses,
    " Rules are for the guidance of wise men and the adherence of idle minds and minor tyrants". Field Marshal Lord Slim.

  15. #9
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    Quote Originally Posted by Jock Scot View Post
    Errrrr be careful. I am no golfer, so I can’t speak of personal experience, but a well known American member here on this website, a keen golfer, some time ago, tried to Tee off on one of THE famous golf courses here wearing his kilt. He was asked to change into trousers before taking his first stroke.

    Just saying.
    No kidding !!!!!

    Wow...............THAT I did not expect............

    Maybe he'll see this and reply. Welcome any additional advice as well.

  16. #10
    Join Date
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    Quote Originally Posted by Jock Scot View Post
    We must not forget that the kilt is worn on occasion-------quite often by some------ for no reason at all. Just like I am at the moment!
    Totally agree. The kilt can be worn when the occasion is appropriate or something that you just decide to wear on the day.

    Much the same as any other item of clothing in that respect.
    Janner52

    Exemplo Ducemus

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