If I were to visit Scotland...

[Sir William]

... would it scream "tourist" if I were to wear my kilt?

When I visited Scotland three years ago, I hesitated wearing a kilt as I had the same concerns. However, being in Scotland and NOT wearing a kilt seemed almost a travesty, so I began wearing it - and received nothing but compliments. I noted that the few persons I did see wearing a kilt were mostly pipers, tour guides, tourist shop salesmen, and the like - and the occasional tourist.

This year I wore a kilt about half the time and again received nothing but compliments. On our way to a pub in Inverness several Scots stopped us to compliment my kilt and were surprised to find out I was an American and not a Scot - that made my day! Of course I was attending both a clan and the Homecoming Gatherings, so there were a lot more kilts in evidence than befroe, but with the exception of a wolf-whistle in Hawick which I ignored, I never heard any negative comments - and usually quite the opposite. Once or twice I even heard some tartan spotter identifying the tartan.

I agree with Jock Scot in that it should be worn in the "traditional" manner. For my clan and the Homecoming Gatherings I wore a kilt jacket and tie, and when more casual wore it with a polo shirt (and sometimes a sweater). I wore proper kilt hose and leather shoes and a day sporran.

I observed locals wearing their kilts with scrunched down hose and boots, and sometimes a dress sporran while wearing boots and a t-shirt, all of which seemed acceptable, but I preferred the more traditional look.

Wear your kilt. You'll be happy you did.