I was born in England, but went to school in Scotland between age of 5 and 9, in the early 70s.

Kilts were part of girls uniform, but boys wore gray trousers (or shorts for summer). The girls' kilts had apron fronts, pleated backs, and wrapped to the left.

On certain special occasions boys were expected to wear kilts, which typically meant, for most boys (including me), wearing a girls kilt. I believe that primarily this was a matter of cost. For most families kilts would just be too expensive, given that the boys were growing, and the use was occasional.

My recollection is that the school had a collection of 'boys kilts' that could be borrowed. This was made up of kilts from girls that had left the school, or grown out of them, and had been donated.

I don't think that sporrans were required for the boys, but many boys/parents opted for sporrans to try to differentiate the kilts from the girls.

Some boys wore real kilts of similar tartan, but I don't think there was more than 3-4 with real kilts.

I did not go to the senior school in Scotland, but my brother and sister did. The boys did not wear kilts there (except in very specialised optional circumstances).

I am not sure if kilts had ever been part of the full-time boys uniform of my school. It's history was unclear as it was a relatively new school absorbing 1-2 smaller older schools.

It's funny to think that me and my friends REALLY hated those kilt days, yet I enjoy kilt wearing now.

Mike