kilts in Edinburgh

[Martin S]

I had only 24 hours in this wonderful town unfortunately, not going far beyond the Royal mile and parts of New Town.

During this time, I saw just two kilts on the streets, one worn casually by a young man, the other carried over a fellow's arm. I discount the kilts worn in the course of duty by the mlilitary or hotel doormen, of course.

Visited Geoffrey Tailor's shops, both the small one down the hill, and the vast warehouse close by the castle, originally the town water cistern, apparently, with everything kilt/tartan related imaginable. Touristy, perhaps, but fascinating to see so many tartans, and, down in the basement, tartans being woven before ones very eyes.

In another shop, I was very nearly tempted into buying a splendid black kilt with just a hint of coloured lines in it: looked very good quality heavy-weight, reduced to £99 !!! But since I never wear black, it had to stay in the shop.

There were reduced prices in most of the shops. Are there too many kiltmakers/vendors around? Or not enough customers? Looks as if this is the time to go buying. And I'm not talking about the tatty synthetic stuff.

Gold Brothers' shops all over town, no need to go in the gawdy ones, but some of them still bear previous owner/kiltmaker names, look a bit old-fashioned and sell good stuff.

Apart from socks,I came home empty-handed; I had been pining for an Isle of Skye, but, having seen it in the flesh, I found it a bit duller than in the photos. and did not manage to see cloth in any other colours I would like to have.

Nearly bought a belt buckle (wonderful variety in some of the shops) but the salesman was unable to tell me how to fix it to a belt, so left it.

The wind was terrible, and for the first time, I found myself hanging on to my kilt to keep it from flying in my face.

No photos, as I slipped on a step and flung the newly bought camera to the floor, ruining the lens!

Martin

[Martin S]

I also spent a few days country dancing in northern England, great fun as usual, of course. All the men in kilts, giving me the chance to see more tartans in the flesh and set me yearning to increase my collection.

Since there were often more men than women on the floor, I also had the opportunity to dance with the other men, which is great (whatever you may think), since one gets a good firm grip for turns and a good speed for the swings.
(For the uninitiated, let me add that Scottish country dancing is nothing like ballroom dance, neither up-close nor too personal)

Martin

[McClef]

So you saw more kilts in Northern England than in Edinburgh Martin, what a sad commentary on Scotland's capital.

I have to confess it fits in with my own experience of everyday Edinburgh attire.

[Robin]

pictures removed

[McMurdo]

Sorry about your Camera, Martin.

I was out at Scottish Country Dancing last week for the first time, great fun, but apparently over here we have more women than men, they really wanted me to join as in their words:

"We are always looking for Men."

What Mill did the Isle of Skye come from, my Isle of Skye is from Locharron
and one thing I can not say about it is that it is dull.

[Phil]

I think it is a bit of a stereotype that people have of Scots that they wear their kilts day in and day out. If Martin had gone to a ceilidh in Edinburgh he would have seen just as many kilts there. Kilt wearing is not general unfortunately. I was in Sainsbury's on Sunday and a little boy behind me asked his mummy "Why does that man have his kilt on?". I just smiled but it is indicative of attitudes here generally when a small child thinks that.

[Robin]

IOS is a Lochcarron design, Marton Mills got a license to produce it also I think (light weight only).



IOS 16oz from Lochcarron

[cessna152towser]

Kilt-wearing in Edinburgh can be patchy. At festival time in August there are always plenty of kilts in evidence, but they tend to be much rarer in winter time. As Martin and Trefor have said kilt wearing seems to becoming commoner in some parts of England than here in Scotland. Last time I took an internal scheduled flight within England, from Newcastle to Stansted there were two other kilted men on the flight.

[McClef]

I have had arguments with Edinburgh residents about the frequency of kilt wearing in Edinburgh. They point to weddings, sporting occasions etc. (which are not in dispute) and of course to Festival time which Alex also mentions.

But when I ask how many they see in an ordinary weekday situation they seem to think that seeing two or three (out of countless numbers of passers by) is somehow an acceptable situation.

Of course this problem is not unique to Edinburgh by any means but seems more acute there given its position as a major tourist destination and its high proportion of kilt and tartan related shops. A conflict of image and reality results and kilted visitors such as myself become centres of photographic interest when they normally wouldn't be!

[GMan]

Interesting thread we have on many levels going here. One thing I have always noticed is that Kilt wearing anywhere is patchy in the Celtic world even outside of those areas. Yet, we continue to stay Kilted.

Scottish Dancing has always intrigued me, and with all of you who do participate in it are inspiring me to look into doing it for myself.

I am also glad that Robin posted the weaving pictures. It is just wonderful to see how Kilts are made from start to finish.