the kilt in Scotland

**Graham** · 26th November 04, 04:12 AM

may I suggest that the problem is that we are dealing with fickle human beings.

Wherever you go and whatever you do, some will like it, others will not.

While I have never been to Scotland or even England in a kilt, I am sure that some will have bad feelings about it, some will think you are weird, some will think you look cool and some will be proud to see another person honouring Scotland by wearing a kilt.

I think it's very much the same situation here.

Personally, I wouldn't worry. I feel that wearing a kilt is ME and I will wear what I like wherever I go, while trying to be sensitive to local customs soas not to offend.

When I was in India last it was so hot, I wanted to wear shorts.
I found out that it was not considered proper for older men to wear them, especially a visiting preacher. Shorts are worn only by young boys or those of "low social standing", I would have offended many.

The same would apply in Scotland, but only IF I was in danger of offending local customs.

**macwilkin** · 26th November 04, 04:42 AM

Wherever you go and whatever you do, some will like it, others will not.

Graham, I think you're "spot on" there: generalisation of any kind is a very dangerous game to be engaging in, and I don't think we can say that all Scots love and/or hate Scottish descendants wearing the kilt. I know quite a few Scots who think it's great, and that we are maintaining Scottish culture for the Scots today -- one of my friends doesn't have a lot of good things to say about his countrymen because of it.

Cheers,

T.

**Mychael Sporrano** · 26th November 04, 04:53 AM

Originally Posted by Graham

I feel that wearing a kilt is ME and I will wear what I like wherever I go, while trying to be sensitive to local customs soas not to offend.

Very good post, Graham. It shows a healthy blend of "when-in-Rome" and "be-true-to-yourself".

My guess [and this is from one who has never been to Scotland] is that at its worst one might appear dowdy or quaint running around Scotland in a kilt. With the exception of encountering a stickler who takes exception to some part of your attire because in their opinion it mocks traditional Highland wear, I cannot imagine it would offend anyone.

Mychael

**beverlonian** · 26th November 04, 11:11 AM

As I have posted in the past, before taking the plunge I queried Scottish colleagues how Scots would view an Englishman in a kilt. They replied that it would be regarded as a compliment to Scots and Scotland.

**phil h** · 26th November 04, 02:11 PM

Originally Posted by cajunscot

Wherever you go and whatever you do, some will like it, others will not.

Graham, I think you're "spot on" there: generalisation of any kind is a very dangerous game to be engaging in, and I don't think we can say that all Scots love and/or hate Scottish descendants wearing the kilt. I know quite a few Scots who think it's great, and that we are maintaining Scottish culture for the Scots today -- one of my friends doesn't have a lot of good things to say about his countrymen because of it.

Cheers,

T.

good point about generalisation, I feel in my post I may have generalised too, sorry if this offends anyone.

**phil h** · 26th November 04, 02:14 PM

Originally Posted by beverlonian

As I have posted in the past, before taking the plunge I queried Scottish colleagues how Scots would view an Englishman in a kilt. They replied that it would be regarded as a compliment to Scots and Scotland.

I have warn a kilt to a scottish wedding and other functions attended by many scots,they where all fine with me wearing a kilt.this was in Canada,probably would have been ok in scotland too.

**mcnice** · 26th November 04, 02:20 PM

but i can understand scots that don t want to be just associated with old clischees.

here in austria we have the knee length knickerbocker short from leader and all the traditional stuff and style jackets going with it and in fact it is perceived as a bit conservative and rural which i personally don t really want to be associated with.

for sure austrias history knew really dark moments and we could guess that it would not be as embarrassing for a scot wearing the kilt. but in fact they are associating something different then we do in our trouser liberating minds.

a modern kilt shows the scots that their garment can be innovated or reinvented. a foreigner wearing a kilt produces i think in a scot the feeling that we are living a prejudiced folklore.

anyway i would not wear just my UK s there and will behave as ever with the biggest love to my favorite garment

**Blu (Ontario)** · 26th November 04, 05:51 PM

Originally Posted by mcnice

but i can understand scots that don t want to be just associated with old clischees....

So are you saying that native Austrians feel the same about lederhosen as Scots do about kits? Interesting comparison!

**Kilted Kit** · 26th November 04, 06:43 PM

Let's face it Scotland hasn't been the same since the clearances.
The main interest the Scots have in the kilt today is to sell them to people like me.

**macwilkin** · 26th November 04, 07:18 PM

Let's face it Scotland hasn't been the same since the clearances.

I think that's the point entirely; so many Scots left Scotland during the clearances that they took the traditional culture with them to Canada, Australia, and other parts of the empire, as well as those who left after the '45 & Culloden either by choice or by force.

Cheers,

T.