Food For Thought Two(F4T2)

[Jock Scot]

Very interesting and fascinating results, Jock. Thanks for taking time to do this.

There is much to be learned from this, informal survey or not. It appears many of the answers are about 180 degrees out from our Forum - which is not surprising.

I did notice a correlation between questions 6, 9, 10 and 15. It would appear that Scots believe the kilt is for wear by Scots only and primarily in Scotland (or the UK at the very least). I'm not disputing your results, merely wondering why this perception.

6. Are you a Scot?(tick 1)
Yes: 100
No: 10

9. Where would you normally wear the civilian kilt?(tick 1)
Solely in the Highlands: 42
Solely in Scotland: 51
In the UK: 17

10. Would you ever wear the civilian kilt outwith the UK?(tick 1)
Yes, in exceptional circumstances: 30
Never: 80

15.Do you mind who wears the kilt?(tick 1)
Highlanders only: 42
Scots only: 59
Anyone: 9

This way of thinking is nothing new, the kilt has always been regarded as "ours" by many Scots. I think I may have mentioned this point from time to time! What is a surprise to me is the strength of feeling, possessiveness if you like, from the younger generation. I actually thought that they would be rather more laid back about this than the survey indicates.

So after quite a bit of thinking over this point, I wonder , if it is to do with the possibility of Scots independence in the near(?) future and the Scots Parliament that most of those questioned have grown up with for much of their lives. I really don't know, but I suspect it may be the case.

[artificer]

Good stuff, and thanks for taking the time to gather and post this information, Jock!

Most of it seems to be in line with what you have said in the past about how Scots think. But there was one real shocker for me:



If this is true, then the vast majority of Scots in this particular demographic are wearing their kilts at least once a week. That seems to differ from the impression that many of us have taken, that Scots only don their kilts very rarely.

Since this demographic seems to be of a younger set, and considering the results of question 22, I think perhaps it's encouraging.

I found that surprising as well. Especially given the below stat

7. When do you wear the kilt?(tick 1)
Mainly during the day for smart and casual events: 12
Mainly for weddings: 18 (NOTE for Xmarks members. Most, if not all wedding services in the UK take place during the day)
Mainly for evening dress occasions: 30
About even amounts: 50

ith:

[madmacs]

If this is true, then the vast majority of Scots in this particular demographic are wearing their kilts at least once a week. That seems to differ from the impression that many of us have taken, that Scots only don their kilts very rarely.

50+ times a year would have me thinking that more than a few may wear them to church...

[Jock Scot]

50+ times a year would have me thinking that more than a few may wear them to church...

I doubt that church enters into the mind of many of those of that age. Congregations are on the wane, so I am told.

It is quite easy for the kilt to be worn in the Highlands without anyone knowing. For example there were 110 chaps wearing the kilt the other evening and not one uninvited member of the public would have seen them!

[Tobus]

I found that surprising as well. Especially given the below stat

7. When do you wear the kilt?(tick 1)
Mainly during the day for smart and casual events: 12
Mainly for weddings: 18 (NOTE for Xmarks members. Most, if not all wedding services in the UK take place during the day)
Mainly for evening dress occasions: 30
About even amounts: 50

ith:

Yes, and I wasn't sure how to interpret that particular question. The last part of it (stating "about even amounts") confuses me. But the majority of respondents voted for this option. I am assuming this means that they wear their kilts equally often between day events, weddings, and evening dress occasions. If so, this would explain why they wear it at least once a week, and that kilt-wearing is on the rise. I'd be very glad to hear that the kilt is no longer relegated to being worn only for the most special occasions. It strikes me as a pretty good balance to hear of the kilt being worn on average once a week, for mainly 'smart' occasions and anything more dressy than that.

[Mark Stephenson]

Jock -
Looks like you will survive the aftermath of survey #2! Thanks for all that you do to make this forum interesting and to enlighten the rest of us about Highland culture.

[M. A. C. Newsome]

Thanks for posting the results, Jock! I am, like others, encouraged by the young age of the respondents and also the frequency that they seem to be wearing the kilt.

I am surprised (as I was in the last survey), that the great majority of them could not even tell you if their own kilt, which they were wearing, was pleated to the stripe or to the sett. This is not meant as a criticism, but it does shed light on the responses to a few other questions. If one does not know such basics of kilt construction as the difference between pleating to stripe or sett, then it does not surprise me that they would be unfamiliar with box pleated kilts and district tartans.

It seems to me that this group of young lads exhibit more practical knowledge of kilt wearing in the Highlands today, rather than academic knowledge.

The question of ethinic/national identity and who should be wearing the kilt is one that rears its head from time to time, and one which will never be answered satisfactorily, as we all have different perspectives.

To give an idea of what I mean by that, consider that I was born and raised (till I was 18) in the great urban metropolis of Charlotte, NC, the largest city in our state. I moved up to the rural mountain region of western NC after I graduated from high school. I have now lived in this area for longer than I lived in Charlotte. This is where all of my children were born and are being raised, and I have no intentions to live elsewhere if I can help it. It is my home.

But am I a "local?" Depends on who you ask.

We have an interesting mix of native local residents and newcomers in this area. Those born and bred from local families would not consider me a local, regardless of how long I have lived here, because I do not come from a "local family." On the other hand, most everyone else now considers me "from here." Especially those who have moved here from outwith the state. They do consider me "local" because, unlike them, I am a native North Carolinian.

As for myself, this is most definitely home for me, though I do not pretend to have the same relationship with the region as those whose families have been here for 200 years. But that's ok - my family was not in Charlotte for 200 years, either.

I suspect there may be similar attitudes in places such as Scotland who also have a mix of newcomers and local population. Only add to that mix the fact that Scotland has also exported much of her population across the globe to places as far flung as Cape Breton, Cape Fear, Australia and Argentina!

[Cygnus]

Thank you, Jock, for taking the time and putting in the effort to gather and compile these fascinating results.

Please pass my sincere thanks to your friends and family for taking the time to share their insight and experience with us.

[Jock Scot]

Jock -
Looks like you will survive the aftermath of survey #2! Thanks for all that you do to make this forum interesting and to enlighten the rest of us about Highland culture.

Well the computer has not melted yet!

I will sleep with a trusty Webley MK VI under the pillow though, for the foreseeable future, just in case a hit squad arrives.

[auld argonian]

Well the computer has not melted yet!

I will sleep with a trusty Webley MK VI under the pillow though, for the foreseeable future, just in case a hit squad arrives.

We're having the black helicopters painted tartan so we blend in when we swoop in in the dead of night....

Best

AA