Reaction to you Wearing a Kilt

[Jock Scot]

I am not a resident of Glasgow and never have been, so whilst Glasgow does have a considerable reputation of being a tough City, confirmed only very recently by a gang fight in, I think the Ibrox area, where a considerable police presence was required to quell the riot, as were the ambulance service who had to deal with multiple stab wounds etc.. I have had and still do have the need to visit the city on occasion on business and the parts that I need to visit are probably as safe as any other city in business hours.

I have worn the kilt to Glasgow in my youth and the reception that I received from the locals on many an occasion, young and old, was far from pleasant and more than a little threatening. So much so that I would not wear the kilt in that City on business and frankly they would think that I was a complete idiot for doing so. Not from a danger point of view, but they would think my kilt attire was completely un-business like. Who wants to look like "Johny Hayseed" ------think of the Clampit family(you may need to be quite old to remember it) in the TV series "the Beverly Hill Billies"------- when discussing serious business and legal matters? Who wants small talk at the price those chaps charge for their time, not me!

So the football supporters reputation, the night life reputation, tough shipyard(even if there aren't any these days) reputation, gangland reputation, etc., still exists and the crime figures back up that reputation. Does that reputation cover the whole city, or just parts of it ? I cannot say. What I can say, robust conversations are common place at any time of day throughout the City and it matters not who you are, or where you are from, so one thing can lead to another................For me, I just don't need the hassle.

[Nomad]

Now you're making it sound irresistibly interesting.

If you have a liking for hospital food it probably is.

[PatrickHughes123]

If you have a liking for hospital food it probably is.

Thank you!

[tokareva]

OK, I think I'm starting to understand. Basically those wearing the kilt in Glasgow are viewed as being country bumpkins.


Even though the kilt is the National Dress of Scotland, Its more of a regional thing I guess. It seems like a reversal of the U.S. North and South over there. Basically they don't like anybody in Glasgow.
I did research some and found it used to be the murder capital of Europe at one time.

I still don't understand how they could consider HRH to be unsophisticated however.

[Jock Scot]

OK, I think I'm starting to understand. Basically those wearing the kilt in Glasgow are viewed as being country bumpkins.


Even though the kilt is the National Dress of Scotland, Its more of a regional thing I guess. It seems like a reversal of the U.S. North and South over there. Basically they don't like anybody in Glasgow.
I did research some and found it used to be the murder capital of Europe at one time.

I still don't understand how they could consider HRH to be unsophisticated however.

Well yes and no.

Firstly, to a Highland Scot the kilt is Highland Scot attire not Scottish attire.

Secondly, the "Johny Hayseed" feeling is entirely part of my interpretation of how Glaswegians feel about the kilt. Frankly I have never been allowed to discuss the pros and cons of kilt attire due to the overwhelming broadsides from the local Glaswegians.To be honest when I am in town on business I really don't need any distractions, nor do the people that I am meeting with and I am there to work and be totally professional and the decisions that we make are in the end for my and my families benefit. I have no issues of wearing the kilt on rather less important business matters on my own territory in the Highlands though.

Remember that some civilian Highlanders, including me, prefer to wear the kilt in the Highlands of Scotland, occasionally in Lowlands for social events and very, very rarely outwith Scotland.

You are right, generally speaking I don't think that Glaswegians like anyone at anytime, anywhere. There are I am sure, some notable exceptions of course, its just that I have yet to find one.

I am not sure if Prince Charles wears the kilt in Glasgow. He does also have the advantage of being surrounded by some fairly serious security men!

[tpa]

Many years ago (circa 1988) I wound up in a Glasgow hospital for a gall stone issue. There I met a number of gang crime related victims and their only concern was to get out in order to wreck havoc on the people who had stabbed them and quite happy to talk about it. So the cycle continues.

The police attitude to this, when we had to call them on another matter, was that the more of them that kill each other off the easier life would be for them. I got the impression that they were so used to it that any diversion to a different type of issue was welcome if it took them away from the mayhem. Sounds like, sadly, not a lot has changed in some areas.

[PatrickHughes123]

Many years ago (circa 1988) I wound up in a Glasgow hospital for a gall stone issue. There I met a number of gang crime related victims and their only concern was to get out in order to wreck havoc on the people who had stabbed them and quite happy to talk about it. So the cycle continues.

The police attitude to this, when we had to call them on another matter, was that the more of them that kill each other off the easier life would be for them. I got the impression that they were so used to it that any diversion to a different type of issue was welcome if it took them away from the mayhem. Sounds like, sadly, not a lot has changed in some areas.

Yes, this is how sad it can get. I once saw a guy standing outside of a car with two people around him making sure he was okay, the guy had been slashed in the face by the looks of it. The most horrible and most disgusting thing I've ever seen, but at the same time, I feel nothing because I've been desensitized to it. I wish I didn't live hear at times, I wish I was born in the Highlands or the North-East.

[PatrickHughes123]

OK, I think I'm starting to understand. Basically those wearing the kilt in Glasgow are viewed as being country bumpkins.

Not exactly, it's just seen as odd and mocked. It's seen as a long dead Scotsman from the past or a stereotype, therefore, it is mocked.

Wearing the kilt is something I do anymore, wearing it where I live gets you funny looks or people trying to mock you, I only wear it on occasion now. If I ever go to Edinburgh Castle one day, I'll wear to that. The Western Isles, Stirling Castle and places like that. Oh, and The Borders region too. I'd love to see the borders also, visit the homes of the ancient border reiver clans, Armstrong, Scott, Kerr and Elliot.

I'd only wear it in Glasgow City Centre, but that is it.

[John_Carrick]

My experience would be limited to the city centre, Merchant City, West End, Hillhead area, so I shall defer to others.

[Liam]

Well yes and no.

Firstly, to a Highland Scot the kilt is Highland Scot attire not Scottish attire.

Secondly, the "Johny Hayseed" feeling is entirely part of my interpretation of how Glaswegians feel about the kilt. Frankly I have never been allowed to discuss the pros and cons of kilt attire due to the overwhelming broadsides from the local Glaswegians.To be honest when I am in town on business I really don't need any distractions, nor do the people that I am meeting with and I am there to work and be totally professional and the decisions that we make are in the end for my and my families benefit. I have no issues of wearing the kilt on rather less important business matters on my own territory in the Highlands though.

Remember that some civilian Highlanders, including me, prefer to wear the kilt in the Highlands of Scotland, occasionally in Lowlands for social events and very, very rarely outwith Scotland.

You are right, generally speaking I don't think that Glaswegians like anyone at anytime, anywhere. There are I am sure, some notable exceptions of course, its just that I have yet to find one.

I am not sure if Prince Charles wears the kilt in Glasgow. He does also have the advantage of being surrounded by some fairly serious security men!

Jock.... don’t mince words, how do you really feel about Glasgow....
Slainte my friend! 😉😉😉