Quote Originally Posted by GlassMan
...And history does have much to tell us about why kilts are not more popular. One thing that hasn't been mentioned is that wearing of tartans and kilts was outlawed by the crown for a period. That banning of tartans is what caused the general confusion about what a particular clan's "tartan" really is. The wearing of tartans and of kilts was almost wiped out by both the law and later desires to be inculturated to the norms of the rest of Europe...

And I'd also like to point out another bit of history. The revival of the kilt, the revival of clan tartans, and the very form of the modern philabeg was brought about by enjoyment of all things Scottish by King George IV & Queen Victoria, God rest their souls. While many would blame the English for the near loss of the kilt to history, the Monarchs of the United Kingdom also deserve the credit for reviving and repopularizing the kilt...

I hope that the Scots still in Scotland will increase their frequency of kilt wearing. And when they do, they should take a few fashion pointers from Prince Charles, since he always looks quite dashing in his kilts.
Todd pointed out about the tartans thing; but about the Proscription Act - this year is the 260th Anniversary of its enactment and next year (2007) is the same anniversary of its implementation.

GlassMan's comment about the Royal Family is apt. And not only does the PW wear the kilt constantly when he's in Scotland, but the Princess Royal is an active and enthusiastic promoter of things Scottish - especially at Rugby matches.

As for increasing the frequency of kilt wearing, I think it comes down to two things: affordability, and popularising (or encouragement) - most people hesitate to be guinea-pigs, or to stand out in a crowd, and Scots are no different. The more people promote kilt-wearing (and X Marks performs a sterling role in this), the easier it'll become for people to do it.

There is, also, the psychology angle, too, I suppose. 'Why don't more Scots wear the kilt?' may boil down to the same psychological hang-up that affects the use of Gaelic. On Lewis, for example, some 60 percent of the population speaks Gaelic, yet at Steornaway (is that how it's spelt?) the common language you'll here is English: I wonder why? And Inverness Council opposed the use of bi-lingual road signs, and seems to be opposed to the opening of a Gaelic-language primary school (highlander_Daz should be able to correct me if I'm wrong).