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.

[NewKilt]

I think it is a bit of a stereotype that people have of Scots that they wear their kilts day in and day out.

To your point, Phil, I'm a US citizen. Taking my daily walk this week at a local park, I ran into a group of children (1st through 3rd graders) that attend a day camp put on by the local parks and recreation department. As I passed the pavilion, I heard a young man shout loudly, "Look, there's a dude from Scotland!"

Well, my great,great,great,great grandfather was born in Scotland. However, he was a lowlander, and most likely never wore a kilt.

Still, It is rather unfortunate that more men in Scotland (and other countries) do not consider the kilt as a viable alternative to pants as daily attire. I certainly consider them to be the most practical, comfortable piece of clothing I've ever worn. If I remember correctly, there was something in another thread some time back about some of the younger men in Scotland adopting kilts as casual attire - T-shirts and boots. Perhaps the younger generations will revitalize kilt wearing as daily attire.

Darrell

[McClef]

Earlier this year I met a young lad from my home town at the Edinburgh Kilt Walk and it was the first time I had seen him wearing a kilt. I asked him if he ever wore his kilt out and about in his home town and he replied, "No but I wear it every day when I'm on holiday in Florida."

It reminds me of that biblical phrase "a prophet is without honour in his own country and in his own house." In this case a kilt rather than a prophet.

When Scotsmen wear kilts abroad it helps to reinforce the impression that they must also do so at home and this increases the expectation for visitors.

[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.