Kilts in Scotland.

[Pour1Malt]

search fair auld threids oan this topic-

been discussed befair...

but basically- roon here the kilt is often worn tae weddings, hogmanay, an formal settings (like a tux as Monkey said)

also it is often worn casual tae Scotland National sport events... rugby an fitba maistly...

but ai've seen many kilts a curlin an hockey events tae....

very uncommon tae wear it daily....

[Mike1]

If you want to see kilts in Scotland, head for the Royal Mile.

Historical commemorations will bring out a lot of belted plaids (anybody going to Killiecrankie tomorrow?). Again, these are special events and the fellows you see in a plaid at a commemoration today will like as not be in jeans tomorrow.

For the biggest part, on a day-to-day basis, the kilt is the exception and not the rule. It isn't as if you won't see any, but you won't see many.

[arrogcow]

If you want to see kilts in Scotland, head for the Royal Mile.

I spent three days in Edinburgh (during fringe) and saw exactly 2 kilted guys. Both were on the Royal Mile, one was piping on a corner, one was carrying pipes and waiting for a bus.

I bought my first kilt (not counting my great kilt) two days later in Glasgow, so I wasn't kilted either.

Adam

[Lee]

Having just returned home from a 3 week vacation in Scotland, I can confirm, as P1M says, that it is very uncommon to see the kilt worn as 'everyday' attire - I think I noticed only 3 others.

I received many positive comments, only one nasty one.
I lost count of how many times I was asked if I was a true Scotsman.
Safe answer - 'No, I am Canadian'.

My visit to Edinburgh Castle took a bit longer than expected, since a crowd would gather 'round me, waiting for the guided tour to begin.

Lee

[Graham]

In a 1000 miles of driving all round Scotland I only saw one other man wearing a kilt casually and it turned out he managed a Scottish goods shop in Fort Augustus, all other sightings were pipers busking or otherwise playing in public places.

Yes I too got lots of tourists wanting to photograph me. I guess that's why Scots don't wear the kilt - to keep tourists from bothering them!

[freddie]

A few years ago while visiting relatives in Edinburgh (who knew I was into kilt wearing) they offered to take us out to dinner, but did ask "You're not going to embarrass us by wearing a kilt are you?". Unfortunately I think this is a general view in Scotland. Michael MacDonald said in his book 'Scots Kith and Kin' "In the Highlands the kilt is mostly worn by tourists, so if you're lucky enough to see one, it may not be 'at home'. Of course it is widely worn at special functions such as weddings and dances, as it should be. I think the notion that everyone in Scotland wears the kilt is the same as someone from Scotland going to America and expecting everyone to be wearing cowboy gear. Although I've seen far more Americans wearing stetsons at home than Scots wearing kilts !

[Moose McLennan]

When I lived in Scotland (up until the late 80s), you would only ever see the occasional very elderly gentleman off the beaten track wearing highland dress as everyday wear.

My great-uncle Tommy owned nine kilts, and wore them often - he lived in quite a remote area though.

On the way to my sister's wedding last year I did see a portly thirty to fortyish aged bloke in a very striking black kilt. Again, out in the countryside.
But then again I did also see a field full of llamas on that short drive, so perhaps it was just one of those days for seeing unusual things...

If you ever go kilted, keep it smart and casual (no fly-plaids, no dirks, go easy on the hats) and I'm sure any attention you'd get would be positive. I think kilts are more seen now than 20 years ago.

M.