Bad Press for Kilts in the NYTimes

[Rex_Tremende]

The New York Times published yesterday an article in their travel section on Scotland (A White Christmas in Scotland? Tartan Is Just Fine, by subscription) that was generally upbeat about Scotland, but not so flattering about kilts.

Our first hotel, Airth Castle, a half-hour’s drive from Edinburgh, more than lived up to our visual expectations: it is a 14th-century castle with turrets and is dramatically lighted and situated on a hill overlooking a valley and river. But we soon learned we would be staying instead in the modern annex down the driveway, since the castle’s bedrooms were under renovation.

Adding to our woes, a large corporate Christmas party, complete with drunken men in kilts, was taking place that night down the hall from our rooms. (The next morning, an empty Scotch bottle awaited us when we opened our door.)

Granted, this has more to do with the occupants of said kilts than the kilts themselves, but one might conclude that all rabbles are that rowdy.

And later,

Next we headed to the Palace of Holyrood House, the Queen’s official Scottish residence at the opposite end of the Royal Mile, the street that connects the two castles. The route is lined with shops selling every color of cashmere and lamb’s wool sweater, plus every form of Highlands dress imaginable. (Resist the urge to buy the entire family a set of matching kilts; you’ll regret it later.)

While this may be good advice, the author does not explain why this is a bad idea, say if the quality is questionable, or the credit card bill will be shocking, or if it leads down the slippery slope of kilt addiction for the whole family.

The author gives glowing praise for Scotland, however, as in her concluding paragraphs:

Driving back on our last day through the craggy mountains and endless lowlands of the Trossachs National Park, we all marveled at the frosted countryside surrounding us — wild glens, dark lochs and sweeping forests dotted only by the occasional cow.

When my husband surprised us by popping in a C.D. of the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards playing “Amazing Grace” on the bagpipes, I realized none of us had mentioned once the lack of snow since we arrived. A white Christmas back home suddenly seemed less memorable than this Scottish one.

Regards,
Rex in snowless Cincinnati

[porrick]

Hmmm. I can't understand there is any bad write-up on kilts here.

Having a party and drinking is an international thing, and it doesn't matter whether you wear a tux, a kilt or Levis 501s. An empty bottle of scotch would other places be an empty bottle of aquavit or Yukon Jack

..

[GreenDragon]

sounds like they just had a bad night

[Colin]

Who here has not booking into a hotel only to find out that the rest of your floor is reserved for a wedding, conference, or big gathering?

I don't see this as bad press, or any kind or press for kilts actually, but rather as an author trying to be amusing and wity (you decide if they achived that ) by playing up some of the standard impressions of Scotland. C'est La Vie.

[Hamish]

I am inclined to agree with the others here, Rex. Sorry! To me, the references to the kilts was made simply because the location was Scotland. Had it been Germany, I guess Lederhosen would have featured!

As for the reference to kitting out the entire family in matching kilts and regretting it later: I interpretted this as probably being seen later as an example of too much being a good thing!

[Navyguy]

I think the quote about buying the family kilts being a regretable idea is the same as buying everyone in the family Mickey Mouse ear hats at Disneyland, you never wear thosr after the trip. Do ya'?

[McClef]

Christmas is one of those times of year featuring an excess of alcoholic consumption.

In Scotland it happens to be one of those times when the kilts comes out of the wardrobe.

It should not be taken as indicative of kilted sobriety the rest of the time.

[Frank McGrath]

The author of the article should go to Oktoberfest in Munich. There you will find drunks in very imaginable mode of dress from around the world. Not just lederhosen. Anyway, If you saw the price of lederhosen, you sure wouldn't get drunk and ruin them. You thought Kilts were expensive, just price a lederhosen outfit with all the accesories