Do You Wear the Kilt Daily when Visiting Scotland? Are only tourists kilted in Scotland?
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- Опубліковано 27 сер 2024
- So here are the classic questions Americans have about kilts in Scotland...
Do Scottish people wear kilts regularly?
Do Scottish men wear kilts everyday?
How often do Scots wear kilts?
Is it still illegal to wear a kilt in Scotland? (yes really)
We seem to be a bit nervous about it all, don't we? The answer is essentially that kilts are not worn as commonly in Scotland as they may be in the former British Colonies. This is what we call the "Passion of the Diaspora."
Regular or even daily kilt wearing IS on the rise in Alba, but the kilt is still thought of by most people as a special occasion garment.
Does this mean you should not wear your kilt if you visit? No, of course not. However you should expect certain consequences and reactions. The main one being that locals are very likely to guess right off the bat that you are a tourist. This is NOT a problem so long as you are behaving politely, showing respect for people, places and things. Nobody wants to be an "ugly American" after all.
It's our experience that kilt-wearing travelers going to Scotland are in fact some of the best ambassadors. They come to the country in awe of what it contains and it's palpable history. They are prepared to engage rather than view it as some sort of amusement park.
The pitfall, as many have noted, is that excited tourists seeking a connection to history or their own personal connection to it can sometimes put Scotland in a mental box. It's easy to have a fantasy of Scotland that is disconnected from the reality of the modern nation and the lives of real people living there now.
Locals may not care nearly as much about local historical events or sites and you do. They may not know their Clan, or even have one, or even care. Meanwhile, the fantasy of Scotland is what guidebooks and tour companies will try to sell you. The worst thing you can do therefore, is to assume parity with random people you meet.
So what should you do to prepare? A bit of pop culture and news homework is a great idea. Don't just concentrate on Clan lineage, great battles, heroes and villains, landscapes and castles. Spend some time reading up on recent history and current events. Watch some Scottish news, watch some Scottish TV shows and sports, that sort of thing. It is very easy to do in the age of UA-cam and streaming media. From months before you plan to leave...to the moment you get off the plane, aspire to be a Sincere Student of Scotland. All of it.
Above all when you arrive, keep an open mind and a relaxed demeanor. Be patient with unexpected events. Check yourself if you sense you are having a wee bit of culture shock or frustration. And if you are, take some time out. And of course, always project cheerfulness and calm. Calm and bit of reserve are especially important. As the kids say - be chill. When it's a good time to show your enthusiasm, you'll know. But never force your enthusiasm on others.
The fringe benefit of this homework and mental conditioning is that your experience will be much richer. You may win friends and have surprise experiences you never could have predicted.
Will they know you're a tourist with your kilt and camera? Of course. Will they think you're the best tourist they've ever met? That's up to you.
Tartans of the day:
Rocky: Federal Memorial
Mac: Stewart Hunting Ancient
Lucas: County Kildare Crest
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I did and it was either well received or not commented upon. It certainly isn't national custom to wear it daily, but I wear it daily in the States, I'd wear it daily in Scotland. I'd also wear it daily we're I in Italy or Japan. It's a lifestyle thing for me, so geography doesn't matter.
I'm Scottish and live in Edinburgh. While it's true that the vast majority of Scots only wear kilts on special occasions (or for football, rugby matches etc), you do get the odd rare eccentric who wears one daily, so I wouldn't necessarily assume that someone I saw in non-formal kilt attire was a tourist. There are basically three types of kilt-wearing in Scotland: 1) for special occasions, particularly weddings - in which case it's usually obvious because they'll be wearing formal or semi-formal get-up. Probably most Scots get married in a kilt! 2) Bagpipers (buskers), or occasionally military band members - pretty common in tourist areas during the summer, and recognisable by the pipes and/or fancy military dress jackets / hats etc. 3) everyday kilt wearing - uncommon, but you do sometimes see it - everything from the odd long-haired extreme nationalist to the occasional old gent in a green tweed day jacket (although those seem to be increasingly rare), to obvious tourists. At the end of the day, you might only see someone wearing a kilt once every couple of weeks but it's never something suprising that you'd think much about. And in terms of getting attention, it depends where you are - at a bus stop in Glasgow on a Saturday night you're likely to get some interaction, at midday on Princes Street in Edinburgh much less so.. ;-) But it'll be complimentary at best and good-natured ribbing at worst.
And just in case anyone was thinking otherwise - most Scots are proud of their culture and proud to wear the kilt, despite not doing it on a daily basis. And there's nothing necessarily political about kilt wearing in Scotland, you get nationalists and unionists wearing it in more or less equal proportions.
I always wear a kilt when I go hiking in the hills and mountains in Scotland or in historical Scottish places to remind the English they are in Scotland.
I live in Scotland and for the past 8 weeks I've been wearing my kilts every day.
I was in Paris during a European Cup game between France and Scotland. EVERYONE (the fans on the Metro) were either wearing a kilt...or a beret. It was awesome.
Those big Breton style berets the France supporters wear at the rugby internationals are pretty cool.
I'm a Scot, and have only ever worn kilts at formal events; weddings, high school prom etc... Oh, and Scottish football (soccer) games!
However, I can't imagine many Scots would even look twice if you were seen in a kilt. You're most likely to find yourself receiving questions from other tourists.
I had mine on recently at a wedding over in Ireland, and the Irish were fascinated by it. It's definitely more of a Scottish thing than Irish, and you'll almost never see the English or Welsh in kilts.
I'm not English, I am scouse!
Seriously though I love my kilts.
@@PATRICKSMITH1 The Scouse are special. They don't count as English.
Not mentioned here is the fact that Scots who wear kilts regularly are Scottish Country Dancers. They wear them for public demontrstions but also for regular dance sessions, weekly. Or monthly quite casual and more formally for Balls. Check out Scottish country dancing on dozens of You Tube videos. .
@@PATRICKSMITH1 And i'm a Northumbrian and i occasionally wear my Border check kilt. Ho'way the lads!
@@PATRICKSMITH1 I have a kilt from the Liverpool Scottish battalion! Proud kilt wearers all! St. Nazaire raid, 1942: Troop 5, No. 2 Commando, and God bless Donald Captain Roy!
American here who spends half the year near the north coast of Scotland. I nearly always wear my kilt when I go out; and notice a few locals wear one as well but its never a majority. Unless if I speak with my strange american accent Ive never once had any extra attention paid to my kilt. They're pretty normal here. If im found out to be a foreigner/tourist I've only ever recieved kudos from the locals for wearing a local clans tartan and recomendations for good pubs and things to do in the area.
I’m a rural estate manager here in Scotland and my fellow factors, especially those from sporting estates in the Highlands, often wear day-wear kilts as their daily attire; some of these estates also have their own special tweed.
In my experience traveling in Europe, most locals can see you are a tourist a mile away. Americans and Europeans dress differently (Americans are way more casual), so don’t worry about the kilt being the tip off.
I live in Scotland and I wear the kilt most of the time. It's not unusual but I don't see many others wearing the kilt. I get comments, always positive, that often start interesting conversations.
You do see the odd person wearing a kilt here in Fife and although it’s not usual, it is normal, if that makes sense. In my profession as a land agent (estate factor) there are colleagues from Highland sporting estates who wear a full day-wear kilt (kilt with a short tweed jacket, brogues and stockings) as their everyday attire and this is not an affectation. Tourists, you are welcome and do please wear a kilt if you want, most Scots will love you for it and if there is some negativity, it will just be from the few nasty folks you might find anywhere you go in the world.
I've been to Scotland and England in a kilt. Even been on top of the Ben Nevis in a kilt. People wil react positive or will not react.
For me it's daily wear (when I don't have to work) so I wear it wherever I am, the country I live in and on holidays.
I plan to either go to university in Scotland or move there for a couple years after I finish my degree here in Texas. I’ll absolutely wear my kilts. I will ALSO wear my western boots and cowboy hats and jeans, because that’s who I am.
A kilt with western gear ? Be non stop laughter im afraid .he in Scotland
That leggings graphic will haunt my dreams
I wore a kilt in Scotland.....and England and Ireland.
Is it ”touristy”? Sure. I also think that it soon becomes obvious i am a nerd for things like history, Highland dancing and the like.
If i can wear it in Sweden i can wear it in Scotland as long as i do it in a way that is non offensive.
I can also have days when i dont wear it, for similar reasons to when i dont wear it at home.
There are more people dancing the Swedish ”gammeldans” in the U.S. than in Sweden ( i have heard ).
Probably for the same heritage reasons. 🇸🇪🥃
The word Kilt comes from Kjalta anyway, an old Norse word meaning folded blanket :-)
There’s only one rule about wearing a kilt, “Wear it with pride”.
I lived in Harrogate, UK for 3 years in the late 80s. Not once did I see anyone in a kilt outside the one Robert Burns dinner I went to.Oh and the piper we hired for a event who was also a Yank. But I agree with Rocky, if you want to, go for it.
U wouldn't see anyone in Harrogate wearing a kilt it's england 😂
People in Scotland dont wear a kilt normally every day. But its not unusual to see folk wearing them. They are often worn for special or formal occasions, which can be happening randomly, all the time in cities or towns. If there is a big international sporting event going on, like football (soccer) or rugby, you will often see a lot people wearing kilts in the pubs and streets. If you wear a kilt in Scotland, you wont get a second look from anyone as its really normal. Though if you wear one in the other parts of the UK, like England or Wales, you might get people asking you if you are Scottish, or if you are at some kind of special event. Generally no one will say anything.
To see anyone, man or woman, in a quality, well fitting kilt is the coolest thing ever. Whenever, wherever. So be confident, wear one and take the compliments. Just beware of deportment and not show your junk.
I can imagine wearing a kilt, whether one of yours or a utility style kilt, while escorting my friend wearing one of her saris, to go to an Ethiopian restaurant, eating outside in Kansas city. 🙂
Kilts are daily wear for me, so I would while travelling worldwide or on tour.
I live in Edinburgh, anyone in a kilt is assumed to be tourist or on their way to a wedding. You'll be fine in a kilt. Just don't waive your skean dhu about if you're in the pub :-)
My advice would be to stick to jeans and t shirt during the day but of an evening feel free to strap your kilt on and hit the pubs.
Like in Thailand, Thai-loincloth not the regular wear for daily routine, only fancy things in some events.
We don't have to wait 300 years. I think today clothing worldwide is homogenized to a generally western style of dress, very American, with jeans the main garment.
My grandfather was born in Scotland and I’ve been twice. I never saw him wear a kilt, of course he wasn’t from the highlands. Also while there, I only remember seeing bagpipers wearing them.
My calendar is marked.
He didn’t really restate the questions correctly. He said UK when the actual question included Ireland as well. Then didn’t get the second question saying something about being a peacock but not wanting to be noticed - but they didn’t want to be noticed but didn’t want to have to speak to others
Make sure Rocky's statue is wearing jeggings!😆
Lol I can only imagine the day I'll visit New York dressed as a cowboy
Done it. Several times. NYC doesn’t care, a couple of times I got a “nice hat” comment. Western boots don’t even get noticed, especially when worn by women.
@@joemikeska2657 cool, that is good to know. I use to wear western dress every day
Yes, I'd wear y kilt to Scotland, and in Scotland. I'm not ashamed to be who I am. And i never hide the fact that both sides of my family are from Scotland. I'm pretty damned proud.
Total respect for Scotland the pipes and the kilt and God help anyone who calls mine a skirt
I would not wear "Lederhosen" if in vacation in Bavaria either. So why wear a Kilt in Scotland? Probably as you said - as "diaspora" culture, those things have much more importance to US citizens compared to those living there. Yes, there ist "Landhausmode" in Bavaria - so you see some elements in daily fashion there (some special fabrics, styles and materials for accessories as buttons...) - but Lederhose, worn on a daily base would always look "tourism-connected" - a kind of jobwear... And I suppose it is the same with Kilts in Scotland. BTW: how do you distinguish between Costume and Costume? In German language, we use "Tracht" if we are talking about fashion that has a historic/regional connection (so Kilt would be rather a "Tracht"). We use "Kostüm" if we are talking about something worn on a stage or for halloween (ok, we wear it for "Fasnacht" in February as halloween is just an imported thing for us...)
I have a different question. If you have a very vibrant kilt, would there be any way to make it less vibrant and bright looking possibly any staining/ dyes that could help this?
Absolutely I would wear a kilt, since I am nearly a serial kilter, would be easy, and I don't mind the attention.
If I ever get to go to Scotland, I'd like to think I'd wear a kilt when touring castles and historical places.
What do they wear today in Scotland if they don’t wear kilts? Do they ear American clothes?
If you think about it the highlander life style was wiped out in the U.K. and went to the American colonies.
Billy Connolly said he used to wear hoop earrings in Glasgow and people would come up to him and talk to him about why he was doing that but never anything terrible. Morale of the story is you do you
I was in Scotland for two weeks back in 84 visiting my grandmother I saw one man wearing a kilt in the time I was there I only heard the pipe once, too
By contrast, I’ve seen more random blokes wearing kilts here in Perth, Western Australia
USA national dress - baseball hat, jeans and a tee shirt
The majority of Scots will only wear the kilt for special occasions or sporting events ie if if Scotland are playing either rugby and football as a lot of fans will wear them.
If the wear a kilt and ten camera. It would be a safe bet they might be a tourist.
I have only been to Scotland twice. I never saw as much as one Kilt in the entire time.
I wear a kilt daily wherever I am, next time I go to Aiberdin to see the family is no different except for the inevitable slap fae ma Mammie haha.
Hell, in 300 years we'll all be wear metallic silver jumpsuits.
Speaking of hell. I have and have worn buckskin jackets. Massive Hawaii shirt collection. And now kilts. I'm definitely going to hell.
Yes I would wear my kilt in Scotland.
I would love to bicycle around Scotland (destillery to destillery) in Kilt! OK, atleast Islay! 🥃😉
300 years hum Futurama anyone know where the guy that was frozen lives
Buck Rogers. Oh wait he's already in a high speed orbit knocked out. edit Maybe we can tape a note to the instrument panel... 🙂
7:26: in far less than 300 years global warming will render all garments unnecessary. Do the natives of the Brazilian rainforest need more than a modesty-leaf? What need have the Pygmies of the Congo for a three-piece suit or a parka? On the other hand, the various peoples of the Sahara still need garments to shield them from the sun and sandstorms.
Having worn my kilt in Scotland for clan gatherings, the "downer" is all the other tourists who want to take your picture.
I wonder how well a utility-style kilt would be received in the UK.
They are a thing, but I have to say I've never seen any actually been worn. I'd probably be cool with it at music festivals or similar events, but definitely not in any sort of formal setting!
@@TartanSleeves I don't know about that. There are some utility kilts that look very utilitarian. I have a plain black duck fabric utility kilt that has no fancy pockets or added bling. It's like my Dickies black shorts. It has two very flat side pockets that don't poof out and look baggy and a rear conventional pants type pocket. I wear it to church with a nice white shirt and black tie. I have a blue denim utility kilt that's more for everyday. But I don't wear it everyday, because it's very warm. I mostly wear it during the fall/winter.
I live in north west England and wear my utility kilt all the time. I either get women saying how nice I look and how they love a man in a kilt, or men asking the question. Either way I've never had a bad reaction to me wearing a utility kilt 👍
@@sonny2593 - this is good to hear. And funny to me because I get similar responses here in northcentral Texas.
@@dougdraper4892 haha luckily, when people ask me why I'm wearing a kilt, I can answer them in all honesty: that my best mate gets annoyed when I wear a kilt so I wear it every time I see him 😂 always good to talk to a Texan 👍 take care pal