Kilts in Aberdeen and Edinburgh?

**McClef** · 29th December 12, 02:54 PM

I would say that on an ordinary weekday you have a better chance of spotting the lesser spotted Sutherland Haggis.

If you see one who isn't playing pipes in Edinburgh during the week he is either a hotel doorman or a tourist.

When I was at St Andrews you only saw them come out on Sundays or at Ceilidhs.

**madmacs** · 29th December 12, 03:00 PM

I worked in the centre of Aberdeen about 15 years ago, generally the only kilts you'd see we're as said weddings, ceildhs, or someone working in a kilt shop out for their lunch... Graduation etc you'd see plenty, and I believe that the Uni had a reasonable social calendar...

As a student however... Pretty much whatever you wanted to wear would go...

**ProudGrandsonofClanGrant** · 29th December 12, 03:05 PM

Thanks McClef. It seems I won't be wearing a kilt any more often in Scotland than I do in the U.S.!

Nick

**ProudGrandsonofClanGrant** · 29th December 12, 03:11 PM

madmacs,

I think that the uni will give me plenty of good excuses to wear a kilt. I don't think I'm going to be wearing one in class every day though. Graduation on the other hand... Thanks for your input.

Nick

**Jordan** · 29th December 12, 04:31 PM

I'm in Aberdeen so if you make it up here you should come out for a drink. But don't expect to see many people in kilts. I can count on one hand the amount of people I have seen in a kilt that haven't been at a wedding or ceilidh or traveling to/from one.

Also I have never been stopped in or around town. but maybe I'm just scary looking.

Jordan

**John_Carrick** · 30th December 12, 04:29 AM

Hi there.

The University of Edinburgh is ranked 12th in the UK for the excellence of its research (Research Assessment Exercise 2008) and Aberdeen 38th out of 132 institutions, although this may change in 2013 when universities are ranked again. Obviously the individual subject areas will be ranked differently.

You will see more kilts in Edinburgh but more kilted tourists too (including me on occasion). Edinburgh has many of the attractions of a capital city, Aberdeen has many of the attributes of a fairly large British city but is more "normal" and less driven by tourism would be my thoughts. A difficult decision but two great alternatives.

Lots of guys seem to wear the kilt on a night out on the town and at least some out walking in the hills and mountains. I remember a nice lady in Pitlochry telling me that you can wear a kilt anywhere and I tend to agree with her, although I don't recommend one above 2000 feet in the winter months.

John

**ProudGrandsonofClanGrant** · 30th December 12, 05:52 PM

John,

I agree that both cities are great places to live/study. Belchertown (where I'm from)is a very large town with few residents. I am used to farms and forests and horses walking down the road. Either city will be a big adjustment for me. Tourism definitely plays in my decision. I like that Edinburgh is the capital city, but I feel I would possibly get a more "Scottish" experience at Aberdeen. Thank you.

Nick

**ProudGrandsonofClanGrant** · 30th December 12, 05:58 PM

Phil,

I am glad to hear that your son enjoyed Aberdeen. I will try not to let partying get the best of me

I think that there are more Scots at Aberdeen, only because I know there are many Americans at Edinburgh (not that I put too much emphasis on that.) Thank you for your input.

Nick

**Phil** · 30th December 12, 04:37 AM

Congratulations on two excellent choices of university. As others have already said, don't expect to see many kilt-wearers at either place, unless there is a rugby game on that is. But that is no reason to stop you wearing yours. You never know -you might start a trend!
Of the two universities you will probably find more Scots in Aberdeen as Edinburgh is very popular with our southern neighbours (known in student circles as 'Yahs' - "are you coming to Champagne Charlie's tonight?" - " Oh ya"). My then student son said they tended to move in rather exclusive circles, not mingling with the locals. Naturally they are not kilt-wearers.
My other son went to Aberdeen and enjoyed it greatly. Too much partying I think but he did manage a degree in the end.

**neloon** · 30th December 12, 06:26 AM

Nick,
As an Aberdeen native/graduate/ex-lecturer, I obviously hope you will come to Uni here. As the oil capital of Europe, Aberdeen has a very complete range of the usual urban facilities plus a wonderful hinterland stretching out "Royal" Deeside into the Highlands. Naturally, many students of Highland background come to Aberdeen Uni and there is a very active Celtic Society organising regular Ceilidh dances as do other Uni societies. The kilt is almost de rigeur at these but not much seen day-to-day. If you were to wear the kilt daily or at least regularly, I believe you would meet with general approval. But please leave the Balmoral in the US - it would be met with derision here!