Kilt advice for Scotland trip

**Andy Ternay** · 21st February 11, 11:10 AM

This September I am going to Scotland for the 1st (but hopefully not last) time. About half the trip I will be camping and the other half I'll either be in a hostel or B&B. Before I get to Scotland I will be attending a four day Bronze Age Sword Workshop in Cornwall.

I am thinking Utilikilt rather than the wool kilt. I don't want to burn a hole in my wool kilt with molten bronze!!!

Kilts also take up a lot of space and if it does not fit in my backpack, it is not going.

How does a Utilikilt and a Semi-Traditional from USA Kilts sound?

I can bring a pair of ultralight athletic pants so that I have something to wear when I launder the kilts.

Also, do I need to worry about looking like a tourist if I am wearing kilts all through my Scotland trip?

**Bigkahuna** · 21st February 11, 10:36 PM

Hi Andy. Let me start by saying there is a very nice article on bronze age swords at the web site "Slinging.org". You might find it interesting. You might also want to consider a leather apron as molten bronze can burn a hole in your leg as easily as your kilt. As far as wearing a kilt in Scotland, it seems to be the general consensus that most of the kilts seen in Scotland are worn by tourists. I say if you want to wear the kilt then go ahead and enjoy yourself. Just wear it properly and proudly.

**Jock Scot** · 21st February 11, 10:45 PM

Hummm camping in Scotland in September eh? Well if you are camping on the Western side MAKE SURE you take some long trousers, as the midgies could well still be about. They can make life an absolute misery, I kid you not!

**Nighthawk** · 21st February 11, 11:00 PM

Originally Posted by Jock Scot

Hummm camping in Scotland in September eh? Well if you are camping on the Western side MAKE SURE you take some long trousers, as the midgies could well still be about. They can make life an absolute misery, I kid you not!

My grandmother used to complain about the "bloody midges."

She claims that's the reason she moved here- only to be assaulted by the bloody mosquitos!

**Jock Scot** · 21st February 11, 11:40 PM

I have thought hard about this reply and it may not be popular. I can quite see the practical points of the Utilicilt, but they are not understood(seen) in Scotland by most Scots, so do not be surprised if they are not very enthusiastic about them and there are certain parts of Scotland where they will be misunderstood and there are parts of Scotland where the reaction to them could well be hostile. Don't misunderstand me though, most Scots are far too polite to say anything at all! At the very least it may pay to develop a good sense of humour and a thick skin before visiting with that sort of, er um, kilt.

**robbiethepiper** · 22nd February 11, 03:41 AM

Jock (as always) gives reliable advice. It's a sad fact that whilst I wear my kilt daily in London and few give visible signs of noticing, in Scotland they are worn only for "events" by most.... Though Utilikilts seem to me very practical, don't be surprised if asked " Are yez takin the pish?" or rudely questioned about your sexuality! As anywhere, with any kilt, it will at least be a conversation starter....

**cessna152towser** · 22nd February 11, 04:28 AM

The Utilikilt would be very practical for this type of trip BUT:-
It would not be suitable for wearing for air travel due to the large amount of metal, studs etc, included in the garment, and in Scotland, be prepared for people to call it a skirt. I do occasionally wear a Utilikilt here in Scotland, but non-tartan and non-traditional kilts are still relatively rare in Scotland. Though I did spot a gentleman in Edinburgh yesterday who was wearing a light cream coloured kilt patterned with red and black zig-zag lines, with black hose and a black sporran.

**Jordan** · 22nd February 11, 04:40 AM

I will echo what has bene stated above, I have a UK and do occasionally wear it (I've found I prefer more traditional kilts) and I'm definatlty the only one near me who has one most people look twice when they see it even those who are used to me in a kilt.

Jordan

**Andy Ternay** · 22nd February 11, 05:40 AM

Originally Posted by Jock Scot

I have thought hard about this reply and it may not be popular. I can quite see the practical points of the Utilicilt, but they are not understood(seen) in Scotland by most Scots, so do not be surprised if they are not very enthusiastic about them and there are certain parts of Scotland where they will be misunderstood and there are parts of Scotland where the reaction to them could well be hostile. Don't misunderstand me though, most Scots are far too polite to say anything at all! At the very least it may pay to develop a good sense of humour and a thick skin before visiting with that sort of, er um, kilt.

Thank you very much for the reply; this is what I was seeking - practical advice. I guess it will be similar to when I wore my Utilikilt in very, very rural West Texas. They too were too polite to comment but it seemed that every person I saw had raised eyebrows!

Sigh, perhaps the smarter thing would be to wear trousers. Depressing to go to the home of the kilt to wear pants! Well, I have months to figure it out.

**Jock Scot** · 22nd February 11, 06:11 AM

Andy,I think it better to think of it this way. Scotland is indeed the home of the kilt, but lays no claim whatsoever to the Utilikilt! The Scots know very little about them(they have no real need to) and the utilikilt is, when all said and done, rather a shock to the Scots system!