It’s a long time since I posted so here is a brief summary of my thoughts and experiences over the past year or so!

Positive/negative? I have been wearing kilts more often in the last 12 months, mainly at weekends when walking, out for a meal, on holiday or during exhibitions for our company. I have to say that I have only had positive comments, indeed I thrive on them and the experience of wearing a kilt. Reading through some of the threads I am surprised to hear of negativity that some members have encountered, or should I be surprised? I guess I would never wear mine in a rough part of a big city, and I always look in the mirror to ensure that I don’t look stupid! I have several kilts and mostly wear 2 of them one is a traditional 8 yard tartan, the other a plain black 2fck. Outside of Scotland I always wear a sporran with the black kilt, it identifies it as a kilt and I have to say that it gets the majority of the positive comments when compared to the 8 yard tartan. I always wear a belt and matching hose, rolled down sometimes when out walking. Of course both of mine wear made to measure and I do feel that you can often see the difference, worth the wait and expense.

Observations and disappointment. Just spent a week in Scotland on holiday, all 100% kilted of course but I am again saddened at seeing just one other kilted when there, and he was the chief of a clan! One local lady in an Inverness shop commented “Nice Kilt” and we got talking, she said “I would love to see more Scots wearing kilts and indeed many do posses them but only wear them for wedding etc” We went on to discuss that it could be the cost of a kilt is used to as an excuse? None the less it is sad. Last month I spent the majority of a week kilted in Frankfurt, Germany at an exhibition and also walking around town. Saw 3 others kilted there, more than in Scotland! Though two were fellow exhibitors, the other was walking the streets looking like he was going to a Metallica concert that was on nearby. Our exhibition stand was located in the GB area, on the last day I wore trousers! Just because I knew at the end of the day we would have very dirty and sweaty work to do packing up… I was surprised but 3 fellow English chaps came up top me separately asking where was the kilt and they would love to have the courage to wear one. It appears seeing me all week with the positive comments from passers by had given them a push towards it, let’s hope.

Some conclusions: Kilt wearing is always positive thing as long as you look correct. Many many more men would love to wear a kilt if they felt comfortable to do so. The cost of well made real kilts does not help.

What can we do to increase kilt wearing??? I do feel quite passionate, and I know for a fact that during the last few years I have converted at least 2 men into wearing the kilt from time to time, just 2 though not enough….. Martyn