kilts in Scotland

[SteveB]

I think our Scottish members have been very kind in their approach to the various questions posed on this thread, and deserve an X-Marks round of applause. I have found it interesting, that as I see it, there are more people wandering around Portland, Oregon, U.S.A. in "kilt"s, on most days than in all of Scotland. The quotes are for the differences of opinion as to what constitutes a kilt. Most of us on this side of the pond are quite happy to be in such self colour kits as the Utilikilt, Amerikilt, and other such offerings. I doubt that there are many (any?) of this type or the Stillwater, USAK, in use in Scotland itself. The only kilt I would expect to kind in a Scot family is a genuine hand sewn of 100% new wool Tartan woven in Scotland, that is worn on special occasions only. Much as the Tuxedo has been used here for years.

My only remaining question is the one mentioned earlier, and that is how would a "kilted" tourist be received in Scotland. I will ask those of you in Scotland if I am correct, that wearing a proper kit of "Tank" with proper accessories worn correctly/respectfully would be respected in return. But the wearing of some kit of other kilt shaped wardrobe, or wearing a kilt improperly would probably be quietly frowned upon.

Our American outlook needs to realize that there are cultural and major economical differences between our two societies. Respect of the culture you are visiting should always be rule 1. This may require some of us to dampen our kilt wearing a wee bit. We should dress according to what is respectable for where we choose to be. Seven years ago, in Ireland, I found that the Norm for young men to be American Levi's mostly of the 501, 505 style.

I think as the writers on this forum have proven it is all about respect.

--- Steve

[Tartan Hiker]

Well, I was just such an American tourist this time last year. We were in Scotland for eight days; four in Edinburgh proper and four driving up to Aberdeen, over to Inverness, down the Great Glen and then back to Edinburgh.

I wore a Black Watch for two days in Edinburgh. Heard nothing and detected no real reactions from anyone that I took to be a resident. Got a lot of grief from some female Asian tourists on several occasions, and was asked for a photo by some American tourists (). I'm sure I was immediately pegged as a tourist by most everyone.

As we toured sites along Loch Ness and ate at several pubs, my son was in his Montreat Scottish Society band kilt. He got several compliments from residents, who wanted to know what the tartan was. Their interest and appreciation was genuine, no doubt because it is a beautiful, unusual, and well-made work of art and obviously not a $30 tourist kilt.

I was in my MacDonald Modern during our visit to Glen Coe, the memorial commemorating the massacre, and the Glencoe Visitor's Center and Museum. There was no way I was going to visit those important sites in jeans! Again, the tourists we encountered stared and one took my photo. In and around the town of Glencoe and the Visitor's Center I was not simply ignored as I had been in Edinburgh, but rather the reactions from the residents were overtly positive. No one actually said anything to me, but I got lots of smiles, a few head-nods, and a tip of the cap from a very dapper older gentleman. Location, tartan choice, or both?

Neither my son nor I "dressed up"...we were always in "casual" mode with boots and sweaters. Our kilts were certainly not "light-weight, kilt-like garments", and I think we were properly and respectfully attired in all cases.

Regrets? No. We were well aware that kilt-wearing was not common in Scotland, but since we knew that this could be a once-in-a-lifetime trip we decided that we were going to wear our kilts on Scottish soil, despite what others might think of us.

Did we see other kilties? None that weren't obviously tourists or residents employed in the tourist or retail industry. (except for Hogmanay, but that hardly counts since everyone was kilted that night!). No surprise.

If I ever go back, will I pack a kilt? Probably, but certainly not a Black Watch or MacDonald Modern (two of the real warhorse patterns in the tourist kilt shops along the Royal Mile)). If I visit Glencoe and Invergarry again I'd be more likely to choose my MacDonnell of Glengarry weathered. If my wishes come true and I manage some hill-walking in the highlands I'll probably sport one of my poly/cotton camo X-Kilts. When it's time for supper at the local B&B or that wonderful pub by the locks in Fort Augustus, you know the one...it's right next door to the butcher shop, I'll probably be wearing black jeans like everyone else.