Highlanders Discuss Highland Attire

[Mael Coluim]

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.

During my 12 days in Scotland not a discouraging word was ‘heard’! Redshank’s good spirited comment was that my Malcolm tank (eight yard Scottish made) was the only real kilt that I had worn. (Chris wasn’t kidding, BTW!) Here’s the thread on my Kilted Holiday.

[ThistleDown]

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.

My take. (1) Mildly flattered in the main in the Highlands, or accepting, or (in the case of ancient ladies slowly nodding or shaking their heads) quietly approving or disapproving -- take a serious cue; (2) would anyone know an xmarks from 2000 others? (3) yes, quite definitely! (4) the give-away is in attitude; (5) not in the Highlands (well, north Inverness-shire anyway), Scots will do; and (6) I can't speak more or more highly about visitors -- particularly at Culloden -- who are kilted, so quiet and concerned and so polite they are almost Canadian and then some of them are PM me if you want more; I'm in Vancouver until mid-April earliest and then home for six months.

[ThistleDown]

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.

Yes, I agree, too. And on a day during your visit when you are uncomfortable putting your kilt on for the day, leave it behind and wear your jeans instead. All will be well and we will love you even the more when you don it with greater assurance tomorrow.

[Schiehallion]

If I might add to the 'where not to wear a kilt' .... Bunjie Jumping springs to mind...(pun intended) I am reminded of one man who did and it left nothing to the imagination. I believe there is a photo of this on some website devoted to these sort of things.

[CMcG]

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

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 <snip>

Good question! Like Redshanks, I was stumped by your question. <snip>

Thank you gentlemen (ThistleDown too) for your excellent answers to my unusual query. And no Redshanks, I've never travelled to the Highlands

[guitarmatt]

To expand from the Highlands a bit, are kilts worn at all on the Islands? From what I gather there's likely more constant wind to deal with. I'm wondering since the wife, kid and I may be heading up to Orkney for a few days in a week or 2.

[Redshank]

To expand from the Highlands a bit, are kilts worn at all on the Islands? From what I gather there's likely more constant wind to deal with. I'm wondering since the wife, kid and I may be heading up to Orkney for a few days in a week or 2.

Can't answer for Orkney, I know the kilt is worn by a few on Harris, I doubt very much the kilt is worn on Shetland as they are very anti Scottish

[Redshank]

Thank you gentlemen (ThistleDown too) for your excellent answers to my unusual query. And no Redshanks, I've never travelled to the Highlands

Well just make sure you do in future

[Arlen]

To expand from the Highlands a bit, are kilts worn at all on the Islands? From what I gather there's likely more constant wind to deal with. I'm wondering since the wife, kid and I may be heading up to Orkney for a few days in a week or 2.

I've often heard that it's so windy in the Orkney isles that very few trees can go there.
I'll concede that every time I've gone it has been fairly windy, but the times I wore my tank and had something heavy in my sporran I was just fine.
Take a Kilt or two and some shorts as well and you'll be fine.

[Jock Scot]

The kilt is certainly worn on the Western Isles, although I can't say it is worn regularly as day attire.I think that also the islanders have far more important things to think about and the kilt would come way down the list of priorities. I have not ever seen the kilt worn on Orkney and I have been assured by those that live there that the kilt is not worn on Orkney. Now were they pulling my leg? They could have been, knowing who they are, but I don't think so.