Highlanders Discuss Highland Attire

[Jock Scot]

No, no, by all means, continue for the sake of cultural enlightenment!

What have I started? and no I will not finish!

[CMcG]

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At what times/ places are Highlanders kilted? In other words, when do you wear YOUR kilt, when do you traditionally see other Highlanders kilted? When do you NOT wear a kilt?

<snip>
Maybe if you could be more specific with the question, we could be of greater help.

I'd like to specify the when NOT to wear the kilt part of the question, if our experts will indulge me.

We have seen examples of when it is impractical to wear one (eg. stalking) and when it is specified to wear other things, such as at some jobs.

What about social situations or public situations where one is not working? When might it be inappropriate, frowned upon, just uncommon, or perhaps even dangerous? I've heard that in some Scottish cities the "wee neds" are as much a bother as the midgies in more rural areas.

What about a regular night at the pub or going to class as a student?

Or serious situations where people often dress their best such as a court appearance, church, or a funeral?

Other times or places in the Highlands (or even the rest of Scotland) where one just shouldn't wear a kilt?

[Redshank]

I'd like to specify the when NOT to wear the kilt part of the question, if our experts will indulge me.

We have seen examples of when it is impractical to wear one (eg. stalking) and when it is specified to wear other things, such as at some jobs.

What about social situations or public situations where one is not working? When might it be inappropriate, frowned upon, just uncommon, or perhaps even dangerous? I've heard that in some Scottish cities the "wee neds" are as much a bother as the midgies in more rural areas.

What about a regular night at the pub or going to class as a student?

Or serious situations where people often dress their best such as a court appearance, church, or a funeral?

Other times or places in the Highlands (or even the rest of Scotland) where one just shouldn't wear a kilt?

Initially I was a wee bit stumped by this question, then it dawned on me that maybe you haven't travelled in the Highlands of Scotland, for the highlands to this day remain a sparsely populated area, for example the town of Inveraray, Clan seat of the Campbell's and home of the Duke of Argyll is a town populated by less than one thousand people, therefore everyone knows everybody, not only in the town but at least someone who knows someone in a 30 mile radius, so when you take that into account, I can travel north for 30 miles to the town of Oban, and whilst about the town I am sure to bump into someone I know, the same can be said for Stirling, Fort William and Inverness, even Campbeltown so albiet the highlands of Scotland cover a vast area, it's population is more intimate.
That being said, no inappropriate time for wearing the kilt in respect of your question can be thought off, I have never been up in court, so cannot answer as to whether or not the wearing of the kilt would be appropriate, however if for any unforseen circumstance I should appear beforethe bench, then I would think nothing of wearing tweed argyll and kilt.
I have attended funerals kilted, as I have in a suite and black tie, I also attend weddings kilted without a second thought, again in tweed argyll and kilt, no fly plaids white hose or ghillie brogues for me, wearing the kilt is as understated as it can be.
I am too old for nightclubs, lectures and the like so I really cant comment on those situations.

[ronstew]

How would a Canadian or American tourist be viewed by locals if he were to dress in an 8-yard wool clan tartan kilt, tweed jacket and otherwise Jock-like day attire for his trip in Scotland?

What if the tartan was Xmarks?

Would the opinion of the locals be different in Inverness than in Edinburgh?

Does it matter whether the tourist is of Scottish descent? Does it matter if he is of Highland descent?

Of course, I recognise that I am requesting general opinions. I would hope that the gentlemen who reply will give their personal view of the tourist as well as the opinion they think others would have.

[ThistleDown]

I can't think of anywhere, either. I'm not a lawyer, mind you, and I think it unlikely that they appear in court kilted. I do know one judge, now retired, who wore the kilt under his gown, mind you. If I were to appear as either the plaintiff or defendant, however, I would have no hesitation. Now that's the Highlands. I think it would be best if Phil or another from the Lowlands spoke about appropriateness in the cities. I don't hesitate to wear the kilt in Edinburgh, Stirling or Dundee, the three I am in most often.

[Redshank]

How would a Canadian or American tourist be viewed by locals if he were to dress in an 8-yard wool clan tartan kilt, tweed jacket and otherwise Jock-like day attire for his trip in Scotland?

What if the tartan was Xmarks?

Would the opinion of the locals be different in Aberdeen than in Edinburgh?

Does it matter whether the tourist is of Scottish descent? Does it matter if he is of Highland descent?

Of course, I recognise that I am requesting general opinions. I would hope that the gentlemen who reply will give their personal view of the tourist as well as the opinion they think others would have.

I think Jock will agree with me when I say as long as it's worn respectfully then not an eyelid would be battered.
Xmarks own Mael Colium can answer this question from a visitors point of view, only last year he spent a few weeks travelling around the highlands on buses, trains and on foot in the major cities whilst wearing a kilt, I don't think he ever had any unpleasant comments made, except by me, and those where in said in good spirits.
As far as I am concerned I like to see people wearing the kilt, visitors or not, just leave the ghillie brogues, white hose and pc at home when you come.
Does it matter if the wearer is of Scots descent, only to the visitor I would guess, if he feels he is being pretentious then that will reflect in the way he carries and conducts himself, I have never questioned a kilt wear about his lineage, and I get to meet a few over the course of the tourist season, those that tell me they have a kilt but are not wearing it get a jovial rebuke from me, so read into that what you will, if you have a kilt and your coming to the highlands, wear it, and wear it proudly and well, as for the tartan, I doubt anyone will know, if they ask, tell them all about it.

[Jock Scot]

CMcG.

Good question! Like Redshanks, I was stumped by your question. As Redshanks has said there are no circumstances in Scotland, that I can think of, where wearing the kilt would be specifically wrong, or inappropriate , if worn correctly. You have covered the requests not to wear the kilt situation and you have covered the practical angles where wearing the kilt would not be a good idea. So any ideas any one? Failing that, wear your kilt where you like and whenever you like. Mind you, there are places and pubs where strong nerves might be required, but wrong to wear the kilt? I can't say I know of a situation where it is. Parachuting, perhaps? I am not sure that wearing a Campbell tartan at a MacDonald clan gathering would be wise? Particularly near the beer tent in the late afternoon! I am clutching at straws here! Well that is the best I can do.

[Jock Scot]

I think Jock will agree with me when I say as long as it's worn respectfully then not an eyelid would be battered.
Xmarks own Mael Colium can answer this question from a visitors point of view, only last year he spent a few weeks travelling around the highlands on buses, trains and on foot in the major cities whilst wearing a kilt, I don't think he ever had any unpleasant comments made, except by me, and those where in said in good spirits.
As far as I am concerned I like to see people wearing the kilt, visitors or not, just leave the ghillie brogues, white hose and pc at home when you come.
Does it matter if the wearer is of Scots descent, only to the visitor I would guess, if he feels he is being pretentious then that will reflect in the way he carries and conducts himself, I have never questioned a kilt wear about his lineage, and I get to meet a few over the course of the tourist season, those that tell me they have a kilt but are not wearing it get a jovial rebuke from me, so read into that what you will, if you have a kilt and your coming to the highlands, wear it, and wear it proudly and well, as for the tartan, I doubt anyone will know, if they ask, tell them all about it.

I cannot add to that.

[Redshank]

I can say I would never climb up the stairs to the top of the Wallace monument in Stirling wearing a kilt on a windy day again, did that once at the end of October a few years back, good job the wee wifee was behind me

[Arlen]

I think Jock Scot and Redshank have done a pretty good job of explaining it.
I was brought up in the middle of Scotland myself and the biggest city to boot, but my family were from the highlands so I had something of a mixed bag as far as culture.

It wasn't until later in life that I started wearing Kilts regularly, but once I started I was hooked. It was just far more comfortable and I wear Kilts almost daily now.

Unlike Jock I have a couple of cheap Kilts that I use specifically for jobs that are messy. Sure, if I were stalking and had to lay down a lot I may not wear one (Some plus fours would be grand) but I don't mid wearing them for fishing, digging etc.

However, I am well aware that I am in the minority.

The best advice I can give to anyone wanting to visit Scotland and wear a Kilt is just to wear it neatly and respectfully and take any criticism with a pinch of salt.