Two Telling comments? The Answer Perhaps?

[mac mhór ón Abb]

I have to say that this thread and the "wearing a kilt in Scotland" thread have completely discouraged me from making my long desired trip to Scotland. Why go when you are going to be considered a doofus no matter what you do. It also makes me look at the kilts I have now and think that they would make good looking dish rags.
I am not accusing anybody of anything, I know you are just speaking your mind without malice but right now I am so very discouraged about the whole kilt thing.

I am VERY new here, so forgive the long post. But I have to say what I have to say...

Unfortunately, I think I have to agree, to some extent, with the sentiment expressed in the quoted post above. I, too, have read through most of this thread, and most of the "Wearing a kilt in Scotland" thread, and I must say: whatever enthusiasm I had about wearing a kilt while in Scotland...is gone.

I will be visiting Killin, Scotland next month, for a large MacNab clan meeting and "family reunion" (my first), and will be attending the Killin Highland games (as a spectator, not participant), which this year occur during the same week. This will be my second visit to the locale, my first being just this past May, when I was able to visit Scotland for a few days at the tail-end of a work-related trip to Germany. I was very taken with friendliness of the locals, and the stunning beauty of the Highlands in and around Killin.

While I have no problem wearing a kilt to my local Highland games (a kilt and belt, sporran, hose and flashes, tee-shirt and work boots, all fit in just fine here), or perhaps “kilting-up” to attend some sort of "Heritage day" -type event (with all the accesories), I am quite certain now that it might be better to just leave the kilt at home and make my visit to Scotland just as I am: an American with distant roots to the country, and dress accordingly.

I definitely get the impression from those of you, here on this forum, who actually ARE from Scotland (i.e. are Scottish), and/or those of you who are currently residing there, that non-Scots in kilts...in Scotland...are somewhat of a joke. Aside from the obvious venues where the kilt (and all of the pertinent accessories) would be in style (a wedding for example), it would seem that, for the most part, blue-jeans and tee will work just fine.

I’m sure there will be many kilt-wearers during my visit, given the events of the day. But, alas, I'm afraid I will not be among them.

I love the “heritage” aspect of wearing my kilt. After all, I am of Scottish decent on my Father’s side (and my mother is of Welsh ancestry). I have traced my lineage directly back to Killin (thanks to my 89-year old Aunt who has kept many records for many years), and it is with great pride that I wear a kilt...at least HERE, in the States.

But, I'm not one to be taken the fool. I don't want to be the "tourist" visiting Scotland in a kilt. I don’t want to be THAT guy. I'll be happy just to throw-down a few pints with the locals, while wearing my trousers and tee, happy to be able to visit the place of some distant relative's birth. And I'm sure they'll be happy that I'm leaving some of my money and then going home...

Lastly, with regard to the comments about dressing up “cowboy” or “Texas” style, which were expressed in the other threads: I have some (much) experience with that.

Where I live, here in Sothern California (specifically in the rural area east of San Diego) it is “country”. We could even be classified as “rednecks” by some standards, I’m sure. We have horses (LOTS of horses), cattle, country-dance bars, rodeos, etc. I have worn “western wear” nearly all of my life (cowboy boots, straw or felt cowboy hat or a ball-cap, Wrangler jeans, belt/buckle, tee-shirt or western button-up shirt, etc.). No one ever gives it a second thought or look.

Of course, if I go into downtown San Diego (the "City") dressed this way, it always garners a few second-looks, but I never pay it any mind. This is who I am, and the way I have always dressed.

With that said, it’s always interesting when you see someone who is trying to “dress the part”. It’s generally quite obvious. Of course I’m sure they’re just trying to fit in...to NOT look out of place and look like they belong, but it generally comes off as just the opposite.

Thus, I guess the same is true for us Yanks, coming over there and donning our kilts. While there are many of you who can pull it off quite well, for the most part, the rest of us just look like we’re trying to fit in even though it’s quite obvious we aren’t...

Thanks for all of the insight. I think it helped me to see clearly exactly what I was trying to avoid!