kilts in Scotland

[haxtonhouse]

I have never been to Scotland, and I am curious to know just how many Scots wear kilts on average? Are they as popular as jeans are in the U.S.? Sorry for my ignorance, hopefully some of you can enlighten me!

[beloitpiper]

No, they are not as popular as jeans. Not even close! In Scotland, kilts are primarily worn at formal events, but are increasingly being worn day to day, as casual wear, just as they are in the United States.

[David Dalglish]

Not seen until Rugby or football(when Scotland are playing) matches--or formal events

[TheKiltedWonder]

and by the odd street musician of course...

[Monkey@Arms]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I dare say the average Scot doesn't own a kilt. He rents one for formal occasions in the same way that most men in the USA don't own a tuxedo.

Best regards,

Jake

[Jock Scot]

I have never been to Scotland, and I am curious to know just how many Scots wear kilts on average? Are they as popular as jeans are in the U.S.? Sorry for my ignorance, hopefully some of you can enlighten me!

I am generalising here and with a bit of added guesswork too. I would say that kilts are in no way as popular as jeans.Kilts for rugby,football,weddings,parties,funerals,highland games would be the norm and even then only a small percentage of Scots would wear the kilt.

The modern non tartan kilts are certainly not the norm.Until I saw this website I did not even know that they existed,although I knew about the Irish and tweed kilts.I know Arlen and Cessna wear the modern non tartan type kilt but they are the only Scots that I know of, that do.

Very, very, very few Scots would wear the kilt as a first choice for daily use.Most Scots that wear the kilt for a function would hire one and I am sorry to suggest that most Scots would not recognise one tartan from another.I also have no doubt whatsoever that the knowledge on this site,from you non Scots,about kilt matters is far superior than most Scots.

However much the Scots may deny it and however much they may huff and puff to the contrary, on the whole the kilt rarely enters into the mind of most Scotsmen.Unless they are bull*******g a tourist!

[Rab Gordon]

Generally only worn on special occasions.
Although I personally have quite a broad definition of a suitable occasion many would only wear a kilt at a wedding if ever.

Rab

[graham_s]

I wear one maybe a couple of times a week. I rarely see anyone else wearing one unless there is a rugby match on.

[Woodsheal]

I suspected this was the case, but reading it firsthand from all of our Scots friends makes me kinda sad!
The odd thing is that kiltmakers both here and abroad barely keep up with their orders. Sounds like lots of kilts being purchased - then not worn....

[Howard Clark]

When I purchased some Robert Noble tartan from an ebay seller, I had it shipped to a friend in Plymouth who was coming to visit me some time later, as he so willingly cooperated in bringing it, saving me some post money. His comment was "Kilt, kilt, what are you going to do with a kilt ? Those are sold to tourists on the Royal Mile in Edinburgh, and you'll never see one otherwise, except at weddings, rugby, and football."

My observation is that likely many Americans and Canadians wear a kilt more frequently than most Scots do. Strikes me as curious, but I am sure the reasons are numerous and complex.