American tourists in Scotland

**escherblacksmith** · 24th March 10, 09:58 AM

I agree with the odd looks if you look odd. I remember going to Spain in March one year, it was -5 or so here (a really brisk end of February), and 50F there. So, I was walking around in a tank top and jeans. Add to the fact that I was 2-3" taller and a good 100# heavier than anyone we met (and a nearly 2' ponytail), I got lots of odd looks. One elderly woman in Toledo told my mother that she needed to get me some clothes before I froze to death. The second time I went (some years later), I wore a utilikilt for a good part of the trip. Oddly enough, it seemed to fit with the rest of me, so I actually caught less attention than the first time around.

Pretty funny stuff.

So, incongruity (whether with the surroundings, or with yourself) will be noticed. But, with the right non-belligerent attitude, everything works out fine.

**Zardoz** · 24th March 10, 10:35 AM

Originally Posted by Sir William

I'm getting the urge to wear a kilt with a cowboy hat and boots!

Both in Scotland and in Texas!

Wait a minute - I already did about two weeks ago. But it was for an impromptu party and we were supposed to dress silly. It was the best I could do from what I had in my suitcase. (I will say I saw very few Texans wearing boots or cowboy hats, just like I've seen very few Scots wear a kilt.)

Let me say for the record I would not wear a kilt with cowboy hat or boots!

If I were to go to Scotland, I would wear the kilt and Highlandware as I saw fit, as I do here at home. And while I can't control whether or not anyone thinks I should be wearing it at all, I'd hope I can pull it off well enough to not offend the folks in the know.

You know, I see some compairisons with kilts and "cowboy" gear. William said (I guess on a trip to Texas) he saw very few Texans wearing boots or cowboy hats. I guess it depends on where you are, "cowboy" stuff is quite common in the southwest, I see it all the time around my area, as the daily wear of many folks. I do think though, that a lot of Texans, especially in the "big city", feel like that unless you are working a ranch, traditional cowboy stuff is a sort of costume to be brought out for certain kinds of events, like a lot of Scots seem to feel about their "traditonal" clothing.

The Houston rodeo is a good example, in the 4th largest city in the US we don't have a kilt shop, but there are dozens of western wear outlets. And they make most of their nut every February when Houstonians run out and gear up to go to the big rodeo. Just like I know there are plenty of kilt owners in Houston that only drag them out for the games or Burn's supper, you'll see all kinds of folks from local politicains and news readers to the guy at the gas station all cowboy'd up for a few weeks, then most of them hang up the "cowboy clothes" for another year.

**ronstew** · 24th March 10, 11:37 AM

Originally Posted by Zardoz

The Houston rodeo is a good example, .... there are dozens of western wear outlets. And they make most of their nut every February when Houstonians run out and gear up to go to the big rodeo. Just like I know there are plenty of kilt owners in Houston that only drag them out for the games or Burn's supper, you'll see all kinds of folks from local politicains and news readers to the guy at the gas station all cowboy'd up for a few weeks, then most of them hang up the "cowboy clothes" for another year.

And that is well and good. Boots and cowboy hats are not ideal for an urban mayor or gas jockey. Nor are kilts. But for special occassions, we dress up. Vancouver's mayor, for example, wore a kilt to his inauguration, but I have never seen him in one otherwise.

The image of the very conservative, very straight, not at all young, city councillor George Puil dressed in drag for a gay pride parade is forever seared in my retinas. It was hilarious and everybody took it in good humour. There is a time and a place.

I actually worry more about what people will think of me when I wear my cowboy hat than I worry about what people will think of my kilt.

I suppose that I have drifted off-topic.

**Zardoz** · 24th March 10, 12:36 PM

Originally Posted by ronstew

And that is well and good. Boots and cowboy hats are not ideal for an urban mayor or gas jockey. Nor are kilts. But for special occassions, we dress up. Vancouver's mayor, for example, wore a kilt to his inauguration, but I have never seen him in one otherwise.

Well, like I said, How ideal they might be depends on where you are. In Texas, and I'd guess in many Southwestern states, seeing an urban Mayor, or politician in general in boots and cowboy hats would not cause any comment at all.
A kilt, on the other hand would generate some interest!

**Redshank** · 24th March 10, 11:44 AM

Originally Posted by Zardoz

If I were to go to Scotland, I would wear the kilt and Highlandware as I saw fit, as I do here at home. And while I can't control whether or not anyone thinks I should be wearing it at all, I'd hope I can pull it off well enough to not offend the folks in the know.

.

From what I have seen on here you wear it very well, come on over, share a dram with myself and Jock

**Zardoz** · 24th March 10, 12:23 PM

Originally Posted by Redshank

From what I have seen on here you wear it very well, come on over, share a dram with myself and Jock

Thank you sir, I'll let you know if I'm ever in your area!

**Sir William** · 24th March 10, 06:56 PM

Originally Posted by Zardoz

...William said (I guess on a trip to Texas) he saw very few Texans wearing boots or cowboy hats. I guess it depends on where you are, ....

You're quite correct. I was in downtown San Antonio, but also got out to Del Rio, Fredericksburg and Boerne. I saw very few cowboy hats, though plenty of "ballcaps" and few "cowboy" boots, though plenty of workboots and dress shoes (in San Antonio).

The same goes for my point about kilts. On my two trips to Scotland I've seen very few kilts outside of clan gatherings. Most were being worn by tourist guides, pipers, and the occasional shopkeeper. At the one Highland Games I attended on the Isle of Skye, the only other kilted people I saw were in the bands (though there might have been some in the athletic competitions but I arrived too late to seem them).

**ForresterModern** · 24th March 10, 12:15 PM

As said above the kilt is typically worn by Scots only for weddings, funerals, games, and other special occasions. Most scots don't even own a kilt. So anyone wearing a kilt, aside from being a part of the above activities, is going to be seen as out of the norm, regardless of whether you are in Iowa or Idaho or Scotland, and you will get some strange looks, especially if you are in a non-traditional kilt or wearing it in an inappropriate or slovenly fashion. As stated above, wear the kilt with proper kilt hose and flashes, comfortable and attractive footwear, and some form of attractive top---tweed jacket and buttondown shirt if you would like, sweater or cardigan, or even golf or polo style shirt. As long as you are wearing the kilt with pride and proper reverence to its heritage, and treat folks appropriately, you should be fine.
Jeff

**Bigkahuna** · 24th March 10, 06:38 PM

Over on the East coast, you can tell a Northerner from a Southerner by whether he tucks his Tee-shirt in or not.

**Bugbear** · 25th March 10, 08:57 AM

GG, what I see going on, here on the forum, is the Scots responding to people saying wear the kilt any way you want. That probably causes an image, in the minds of the Scots, of the very worst examples; the kilt being worn backwards with a T shirt and Prince Charlie, for example.

Sometimes this can come across as, "I own your kilt because I'm a Scot." I'm only saying it can come across that way.

This causes the "wear it any way you want" folk to respond with their own backlash. And it goes on, and on, and on.

Eventually, this backlashing can make one turn away from the kilt, at least talking about it, because it is just too much trouble. I understand.