Another new one on me ...

[Jaggy thistle]

A kilt is a great icebreaker people come and speak with you who would pass by if you were wearing trousers I have had great conversations when wearing the kilt

[Phil]

I suspect that, bearing in mind that you are not in a place normally associated with kilt-wearing, they made the assumption that you were into "dressing up" in much the same way as some groups dress as cowboys and have mock shoot-outs or others dress as native Americans and have pow-wows. I'm sure you are familiar with that sort of re-enactment hobby which people pursue at weekends and she probably thought this was your particular version.