Kilted US expat in Scotland needing advice

[SoulFyre777]

I’ve not been active here for quite some time, but I return today to present a conundrum to the rabble for input:

I am an American citizen that would wear kilts fairly often in the States who has now moved to Scotland last September. I brought my small kilt collection with me, but - in all transparency - I have thus far not actually been brave enough to wear them.

You see, when I moved here, I intended to assimilate with a new culture. I want to make Scotland my home. I don’t want to be “that American” who came here with tartan coloured glasses on expecting Scotland to be mainly Nessie, haggis, kilts, castles, or any other stereotype shown in the windows of any Princes Street tourist shop.

I want to be seen not as a joke, but as one paying homage to a country, people, history, and heritage that I love. Ideally, this would include being able to wear my kilts from time to time without feeling like folks are expecting me to queue up for the next Outlander bus tour; or rolling their eyes at the pretentious US expat in a kilt.

Can anyone else relate? Any advice for helping me once again kilt up with confidence?

Thanks in advance!
Adam


PS Reach out if you’re near Edinburgh! Maybe a kilted outting with a local might be just the ticket for my waning confidence! ;)

[Jock Scot]

Just don your kilt and get out there! No frills, no flash add ons, just the kilt and "normal accoutrements" and just be yourself. Expect no reaction and see what happens. Hurry slowly and good luck.

Oh one more thing! Just wear one tartan.

[spr0k3t]

Jock is right. You can't get over your fear if you don't embrace it. If you are going to kilt up, do it... just don't be daft about it. Last time I visited and kilted up, I had the feeling of a bloody tourist on crack. That feeling went away fairly quickly. Get out and go for a hike or something. Just don't be the kilted tourist and you'll be fine.

[Kiltedjohn]

Speaking as an exiled Scot who has lived in England for many years, I always like to be kilted in Scotland. I agree entirely with the above comments. Don't go "over the top", and enjoy kilt-wearing. I have been mistaken for a tour guide a few times (!), which is no doubt because very few people go about kilted day-to-day.

[Troglodyte]

Jock is right, as always.

Everyone in Scotland knows all about the kilt, and so it needs no explanation, excuse, reason or what-have-you, to be out and about in it - so expect no comment or questioning, or even no response at all.

You will be just another kiltie.

Remember your kilt is not fancy-dress, nor costume, nor uniform, so how you wear it ought to be just as natural and easy as any other garment. No-one cares..!

If you want to avoid being thought of as an American tourist, avoid tourist attractions (or go to them non-kilted, like everyone else) and refrain from doing anything that attracts attention - like shouting 'Freedom..!' and banging-on about your heritage and ancestry in a loud voice.

Remember, here in Scotland, we all have history and heritage in abundance and are quite content with our clan connections - so they very seldom ever get mentioned. We don't make a big thing of it, and it is tiresome when 'tourists' do.

In other words, when in Rome...

[Jock Scot]

.........

Everyone in Scotland knows all about the kilt, and so it needs no explanation, excuse, reason or what-have-you, to be out and about in it - so expect no comment or questioning, or even no response at all.

You will be just another kiltie.

Remember your kilt is not fancy-dress, nor costume, nor uniform, so how you wear it ought to be just as natural and easy as any other garment. No-one cares..!

If you want to avoid being thought of as an American tourist, avoid tourist attractions (or go to them non-kilted, like everyone else) and refrain from doing anything that attracts attention - like shouting 'Freedom..!' and banging-on about your heritage and ancestry in a loud voice.

Remember, here in Scotland, we all have history and heritage in abundance and are quite content with our clan connections - so they very seldom ever get mentioned. We don't make a big thing of it, and it is tiresome when 'tourists' do.

In other words, when in Rome...

Exactly so!

[ThreeGs]

Just wear one tartan.

I'd be interested to hear a bit more about this tip/guideline.
Do you mean one clan tartan?
I'd like to be able to eventually branch out into special interest tartans like the State of Maine.

-edited to add-
It has occurred to me that you may have been meaning to say only wear one tartan in the same outfit. That I get.

[Jock Scot]

I'd be interested to hear a bit more about this tip/guideline.
Do you mean one clan tartan?
I'd like to be able to eventually branch out into special interest tartans like the State of Maine.

Well the original poster, a stranger, within his present locality appeared to want a low key, softly softly approach to gain confidence with him wearing the kilt in "unknown" surroundings in the heart of "kilt country". So it seemed obvious to me, as an insider, to advise accordingly.

Generally speaking the locals would probably not own a kilt. Yes! There are exceptions. So this "outsider" who will probably stand out within his chosen community with his accent AND wearing the kilt. So he will be noticed.Tartan collections in kilt form is not a common trend here. So his softly softly approach will in time, I hope, pay dividends. Once the locals have got used to the "Yank with the kilt" wandering around, then with luck, his growing confidence with wearing the kilt within the locality will soon allow him to venture further and further into "kilt Country".

Good luck to him , I say.

[Jock Scot]

I'd be interested to hear a bit more about this tip/guideline.
Do you mean one clan tartan?
I'd like to be able to eventually branch out into special interest tartans like the State of Maine.

-edited to add-
It has occurred to me that you may have been meaning to say only wear one tartan in the same outfit. That I get.

No and to be quite clear, I meant ......"wear ONE tartan made into ONE kilt." Thats it.

[OC Richard]

I meant "wear ONE tartan made into ONE kilt."

I wouldn't imagine it would be improper to own a couple kilts in different colour-schemes of the same tartan.