kilts in Scotland

[Monkey@Arms]

This subject seems to come up regularly and I see it as part of the misconception the rest of the world has about Scots and their customs (and I am not including the majority who actually think we are English!). Scots see themselves as a modern, forward-looking society, not some mist-shrouded anachronism leaping from glen to glen in a ridiculous parody of "Brigadoon". Apart from a few tourist guides, kilt shop employees and, yes I have to say it, American tourists, few actual Scots wear the kilt on a daily basis. For one thing it costs too much to risk it getting torn or stained and for another most work places have dress codes which discourage it. For us it is a dress for special occasions when we want to look our best. I was married in a top hat and tails as was the custom in Scotland thirty odd years ago. Few people owned a kilt then and the only ones I ever saw were in pipe bands and on the occasional boy scout. I am sorry to disappoint but probably the last place you can expect to see a kilt is in Scotland as it genuinely is not worn regularly by people here.

Might I venture a guess about the reason it comes up? The members of this forum are by definition people who are enthusiastic about kilts. I suspect that on occasion a poster is looking for a place where kilt wearing is a norm, and where better to look than the birthplace of the kilt? They are therefore disappointed to learn that daily wearing of kilts is as infrequent in Scotland as it is in the U.S., if not more so.

Additionally, for those enjoying the comfort and freedom of the kilt for the first time, they may feel that they have discovered something that had been hidden from them all of their pants wearing life, and be thinking, "Boy, if this was my national garb I'd have never adopted pants as my daily wear."

This thread has provided lots of thoughtful explanations as to why the kilt fell out of fashion for daily wear in Scotland.

Best regards,

Jake

[auld argonian]

I would guess, too, that asking about the status of kilt wearing in Scotland has a lot to do with how you would be received if you show up in Scotland wearing a kilt.

A lot of us would certainly love to go to Scotland and, being Xmarksers, would be thinking that they should wear their kilts. Would the locals say, "Oh, you wore a kilt! How nice...do you have Scottish ancestors? Well, we're deeply honored that you thought so much of us to have worn the kilt." or "What the hell are you dressed up for? Oh...another damn tourist! If we went to the USA do you think that we'd be wearing cowboy hats?"

Obviously either extreme and everything in between would be a possibility. In my travels, I often encounter people who say that they have some connection with Chicago and I always try (in spite of my frequent tendency to be terribly anti-social) to be positive and polite and ask about it...when were they here, where did they stay...etc.

I used to have after-work cocktails with a guy who represented the tourist industry of another Celtic country that's just West of Scotland...I don't want to get him in any trouble so I'm circumlocuting the actual name of the country...let's just say it rhymes with "Fireland". Anyway, he used to go on about the descendants of "Firish" emigres that got off the plane and expected expected leprechauns and everybody wearing green...and that there was plenty of that for those who wanted it but there was so much else going on for those who had somewhat more contemporary expectations. Of course, if you're coming over here, you can go to Colonial Williamsburg and any number of "ghost towns" out West...

I'm certainly NOT trying to be negative about anybody's tourist expectations...it's your trip, hope you get what you want. We actually have an "Untouchables" tour and restaurant here in Chicago for all of you gangster fans...come and spend your money.

My roundabout point being that I think that many of us are curious because we wonder how we would be received if we showed up kilted.

Best

AA

[beloitpiper]

I bet you don't see Dutch people waddling about in wooden shoes, the people in Rome going about their days in togas and men on in German boardrooms wearing lederhosen. I could be wrong, however...

I know that some Dutch farmer still wear klompen and that some Bavarians wear lederhosen (my grandmother gave me my first pair at age 10), although it is a lot like the kilt in that they're usually reserved for holidays and celebrations. Can't speak for togas though--I've never been to Italy!

[Galician]

I know that some Dutch farmer still wear klompen and that some Bavarians wear lederhosen (my grandmother gave me my first pair at age 10), although it is a lot like the kilt in that they're usually reserved for holidays and celebrations. Can't speak for togas though--I've never been to Italy!

I had a friend in Bavaria whose father wore lederhosen as everyday wear.

But I HAVE been to Italy, and finding a toga wearer was as hard as finding someone with whom I could converse in Latin. I just couldn't dig anybody up.........

DIG UP, get it?

(Btw, piper, did you ever actually wear the ones your grandmother gave you?)

[beloitpiper]

(Btw, piper, did you ever actually wear the ones your grandmother gave you?)

Ja, habe ich sie getragen! I was ten, and my granmother (being the proper Bavarian woman that she was) insisted. I wasn't against them, but I think I like the kilt a bit more...

[sharpdressedscot]

I bet you don't see Dutch people waddling about in wooden shoes, the people in Rome going about their days in togas and men on in German boardrooms wearing lederhosen. I could be wrong, however...

I think some places in Greece still wear the same garments that their ancestors wore hundreds of years ago, not togas, but Ottoman/Turkish looking stuff, I don't know what it's called.

And what about toga parties?

[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.

[Bryan]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I dare say the average Scot doesn't own a kilt. He rents one for formal occasions in the same way that most men in the USA don't own a tuxedo.

That's true for most of them. I have a close friend from Scotland and he's never owned a kilt in his life. Just rents them.

[Jock Scot]

Now that we are back on thread again,here is my slant on visitors(a much more pleasant word than tourist,I think and I must use it more often).Anyway,when I see a kilt being worn in the Highlands,thats my home,I am delighted and I care not one jot which part of the world the wearer comes from.If the kilt is worn correctly,they are not always,I am even more delighted.

When I wear the kilt,I don't think about comfort,am I going to be asked the question,am I going to get comments,am I going to be the centre of attention,am I going to be ridiculed? No I D*** well don't!I wear it-----well----because I always have.

I don't know anything about modern non-wool,non tartan kilts and that is no reflection or critiscism of anyone,just ignorance on my part, if you like,but in truth I have had no need to know anything about them.

Where I do raise a quiet eyebrow,and I think I can speak for many other Scots too,is the wearing of differant tartans(not the same clan).I really cannot get my head around that.However, each to their own and I for one will quietly enjoy seeing a well worn kilt "swishing" its way around the Highlands without saying a word; as is the Highland way.