American tourists in Scotland

[Zardoz]

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]

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.

[Redshank]

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.

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

[ForresterModern]

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

[Zardoz]

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!

[Zardoz]

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!

[Bigkahuna]

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

[Sir William]

...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).

[Tattoo Bradley]

neck tattoos? why not just wear a sandwich board which says TRASH?).

Have you any idea how extremely derogatory and inflammatory this statement is? I realize you're new here. But, it is NEVER a good idea to enter a place you are not completely familiar with and make such an (even if not directly aimed at anyone in particular) attack.

As can clearly be assumed by my offense at your statement I have "neck tattoos." In fact 100% of the surface area of my neck (and underside of my chin, arms, hands, and fingers even) is covered in tattoos. I happen to like tattoos. So my interests and personal choices immediately identify me as trash?

I am completely aware of this all too common and unfortunate perception. As a result I am also completely aware of what an unfair and far too often inaccurate perception this is. My tattoos were not done on a whim and I spent many years of contemplation before attaining my first tattoo, let alone a tattoo on my neck.

I am educated. I am a US Army and US Air Force veteran. I am a laboratory manager with patents pending for research in my field. I collect a handsome salary twice a month that pays for my two vehicles and brick home in the "nice part of town." My neighbors stop and chat while I mow the lawn at said home. Their children call me Mr. Henderson and sell me Girl Scout Cookies.

Perhaps your and my definitions of trash differ. Regardless, I strongly suggest you feel the waters before doing a canon-ball into a generally civil pool of gentlemen.

[ThistleDown]

Generally they are seen as foreigners, even those who happen to be of Scots descent. An American who wears the kilt in Scotland is usually looked at in the same manner that a Scotsman might be viewed from an American standpoint were he to travel to Texas dressed up in a 10 gallon hat, Western style shirt, dinner-plate size belt-buckle, chaps, cowboy boots and spurs.

Of course they are foreigners, just as a Scot visiting Texas is a foreigner, but otherwise there is no comparison between your two scenarios. As Chris has said, if he wears Highland dress appropriately and comfortably he will be well treated. Highlanders will be pleased and he will be accommodated with great courtesy. I've no idea where the idea came from that even a hint of rudeness or rejection will be experienced: that is not in the culture and is seen to be rude in itself.