Kilted US expat in Scotland needing advice

[Jock Scot]

He hasn’t posted here for many a year, a shame really because he was a very nice chap.

[Ivor]

He hasn’t posted here for many a year, a shame really because he was a very nice chap.

And I believe it was Turnberry, now owned by a certain Donald Trump so I wonder if the dress requirements may have relaxed since then.

[Troglodyte]

As Troglodyte mentioned that men in Scotland wear kilts "to weddings, ceilidhs, gatherings and games - or the footie."

I would also like to ask; what is a "footie?"

Cheers,

David

I could have said Fitba' as that's what some people call it.

Footie is football, of course, and is the kick-about game played with a round ball, as opposed to other versions played with a pointed ball.

Going to the footie is going to support your local team, or, in kilting terms, is the tartan invasion of London when Scotland is playing England at home. Although a great irritation to Highland dress purists, it has several generations of tradition, and is probably more representative of informal kilting in Scotland today, than conventional styles - you are likely to see more of it.

Loud tourists who like cheap kilts and inappropriate tartan tat could indulge themselves to excess, by going to Glasgow Central or Edinburgh Waverley stations on match-day when train-loads of the Tartan Army cram themselves onto 'specials'. But it's not for the faint-hearted kiltie..!

Tartan Army.jpg

[OC Richard]

...a great irritation to Highland dress purists...

Tartan Army.jpg

I do note that in that photo pretty all the sporrans are traditional seal Evening Dress sporrans, and the kilts appear to be traditional kilts.

That's what I tend to see with Football and Rugby supporters- traditional Highland Dress mixed with casual elements.

As opposed to what we tend to get here in the States, utilikilts and the like, with no elements of actual Highland Dress.

[EagleJCS]

And I believe it was Turnberry, now owned by a certain Donald Trump so I wonder if the dress requirements may have relaxed since then.

Actually, it was Royal Troon. Jeff (ForresterModern) had a thread about his visit somewhere here - found it! - and talked about his experience. Per his profile, he hasn't posted since December 2016, but apparently poked his head in the door December 2024.

[CBH]

Actually, it was Royal Troon. Jeff (ForresterModern) had a thread about his visit somewhere here - found it! - and talked about his experience. Per his profile, he hasn't posted since December 2016, but apparently poked his head in the door December 2024.

Thanks EagleJCS !!

An interesting thread and experience, no doubt. Good to know that Royal Troon is off the list, and most others are OK.

[Troglodyte]

I do note that in that photo pretty all the sporrans are traditional seal Evening Dress sporrans, and the kilts appear to be traditional kilts.

That's what I tend to see with Football and Rugby supporters- traditional Highland Dress mixed with casual elements.

As opposed to what we tend to get here in the States, utilikilts and the like, with no elements of actual Highland Dress.

I have always had the impression that Scots at home are far less precious about their kilt and kit than elsewhere.

Consequently, you see all kinds of things being done with it, and in it, that might horrify others - me included..!

[Ivor]

Actually, it was Royal Troon. Jeff (ForresterModern) had a thread about his visit somewhere here - found it! - and talked about his experience. Per his profile, he hasn't posted since December 2016, but apparently poked his head in the door December 2024.

Thank you, John, for posting that correction with the link to the thread and it was enjoyable reading through it. There don’t seem to be threads like that anymore.

[Jock Scot]

I have always had the impression that Scots at home are far less precious about their kilt and kit than elsewhere.

Consequently, you see all kinds of things being done with it, and in it, that mighy horrify others - me included..!

I think that the Scots are, generally speaking, better at judging assorted kilt wearing circumstances due to their practical experience of others wearing the kilt and confidence gained from a young age. Although, it must be admitted that there are some memorably disappointing Scottish attire choices, often aided, I am sorry to say, by the Hire shop, that would make even a saint frown on occasion!

There is another side to this, the Tartan Army uniform does not require too much expense, a dirt cheap Pakistani kilt, white hose are hardly expensive, I am not sure how expensive a Scotland rugby/foootie shirt is but, probably not a lot and a pair of boots\trainers which they might already have. The sporrans, probably did not cost much, although some might be Great Grand Dad's and could well be collectors items, as could the headwear. A SD would not be necessary, I imagine. Well, the result in my eyes is a dogs dinner, but its The Tartan Army uniform, so probably wisest not to comment further!

[Troglodyte]

I think that the Scots are, generally speaking, better at judging assorted kilt wearing circumstances due to their practical experience of others wearing the kilt and confidence gained from a young age. Although, it must be admitted that there are some memorably disappointing Scottish attire choices, often aided, I am sorry to say, by the Hire shop, that would make even a saint frown on occasion!

There is another side to this, the Tartan Army uniform does not require too much expense, a dirt cheap Pakistani kilt, white hose are hardly expensive, I am not sure how expensive a Scotland rugby/foootie shirt is but, probably not a lot and a pair of boots\trainers which they might already have. The sporrans, probably did not cost much, although some might be Great Grand Dad's and could well be collectors items, as could the headwear. A SD would not be necessary, I imagine. Well, the result in my eyes is a dogs dinner, but its The Tartan Army uniform, so probably wisest not to comment further!

You're right about collectors' items sporrans being used as part of the Tartan Army uniform.

The Victorian Invercauld Highlanders' hair sporran that went on to be the start of the collection currently on display at Glenesk Folk Museum was bought in a junk-shop - to be worn as a 'cheap' sporran at the Rugby.

That's now worth a kidney - or two, if they are someone else's..!

But it shows a widely-held indifference many Scots feels towards Highland dress and all the rules and regulations that get applied to it. And to the value others feel the items have.

I often see excellent quality heavyweight woold kilts being sold in charity shops for £5 - £10 although some of the shops have got wise to the value of them, and charge huge amounts, like £25..!