Wearing the kilt in Scotland

[ClanRanald]

We just returned from a trip to Scotland. I drove a rented Vauxhall Astra 2.0 turbo diesel with a 6 speed standard - for two weeks and that was fun! I did get to wear my kilt for the first time in Scotland at the Tattoo at Fort George on the 7th. I saw no other non-participants wearing their kilts except for the dignitaries who were formally attired in trews or kilts. No other non-participant spectators were wearing kilts that I could see - perhaps because there was a steady cold breeze coming off the water and my eyes were watering! Other than one well-healed American tourist in a kilt at Culloden and the usual tour guides leading their tourists like sheep, there was very few times I saw someone else in a kilt. That said, I felt very comfortable wearing the kilt and would have worn it more except that the convenience of wearing jeans won out. Besides, I know the kilt would have been a mess the day I slipped on a rock at low tide in Cullen and ended sprawled out and soaked. The countless ruins, hikes up the highland hills, the graveyards and moving quickly away from a herd of stag on Knoydart were all good reasons for being in my jeans. The kilt was well received by the Scots and if not for the convenience of jeans on a fast paced visit, I would have worn my kilt more. One Scot at a B&B in Keith we stayed at said his son wore his kilt daily to high school and by the size of the young lad, you would be a foolish person to question that decision.

[Liam]

Whilst I spent much of my time out on the hill on that day, I could not help but notice a few more kilts being worn than might be normal around here.

I donned my kilt on the 18th (and 19th) to pay respect to my ancestral country, who faced a difficult decision. A number of my fellow Canadians asked me what I thought of the results. My reply was that as a Canadian citizen, my opinion is of no consequence but I respect the decision that the Scottish people make themselves (which ever way it worked out).

[Father Bill]

Now THAT is a neutral comment! Good thing you did it that way too!

[Calgacus]

Having been out and about on the streets a bit last week, I can confirm that there were quite a few kilts on display. Certainly rather more than is usual.

[tripleblessed]

As I am usually in a kilt, I got the vote question rather much. My standard answer on Scots issues is "My last arriving
Scot got off the boat from Skye in 1775, so I don't have a dog in that hunt. Their decision. I'll live with it."

[Dale-of-Cedars]

I donned my kilt on the 18th (and 19th) to pay respect to my ancestral country, who faced a difficult decision. A number of my fellow Canadians asked me what I thought of the results. My reply was that as a Canadian citizen, my opinion is of no consequence but I respect the decision that the Scottish people make themselves (which ever way it worked out).

I was at work in my Auld Scotland kilt on the 18th, flying the flag as it were, and answered many of those same questions much the same way.

[tpa]

As I was walking into town today, (Matlock, England), a passing wag asked "Got your passport?".

[EaglePlayerJim]

So it is fair to say that in Scotland they wear a kilt just as American's do so, at special events, formal afairs, events, etc but not as a regular everyday practice?

[tpa]

So it is fair to say that in Scotland they wear a kilt just as American's do so, at special events, formal affairs, events, etc but not as a regular everyday practice?

Yes, at least 99.99%.

[Father Bill]

So it is fair to say that in Scotland they wear a kilt just as American's do so, at special events, formal afairs, events, etc but not as a regular everyday practice?

... except for our own good friend Jock Scot!