If I were to visit Scotland...

[The Guy in the Kilt at UC]

If I were to go to Scotland kilted, I imagine I would speak in my Eastern European that I can emulate from Dad's side of the family... you know, to mess with people.

[GMan]

Just be natural.

[Stratherrick]

When I go north of the border, even if it's only for a day's mooch about the capital, I ALWAYS wear my kilt. The trick to not stand out too much is to dress down, though, at the same time.

I generally wear my kilt with walking boots and a plain shirt or T-shirt in the summer and with a jumper (light lambswool or heavy cableknit depending on whether it's dipped below zero).

Cheers

Bruce

[RamsayClanCommish]

Can you go into more detail as to what "classic Scottish traditional style and not in a slovenly manner" means?

Not trying to start and argument or seem thick...just want clarification please.

[McClef]

Be kilted by all means and put the natives to shame!

But be prepared to be asked to pose for photographs!

[Jock Scot]

Can you go into more detail as to what "classic Scottish traditional style and not in a slovenly manner" means?

Not trying to start and argument or seem thick...just want clarification please.

A fair question. Baring in mind we are talking about "classic Scottish traditional style" IN SCOTLAND.I am going to talk day wear here.

My opinion, for what is worth, would start with a traditional style kilt, preferably made of heavy tartan, but heavy tweed, or, heavy wool single colour(saffron for example) would suffice.Worn no lower than mid knee, of course and always with a sporran, unless competing in highland games.

A shirt and tie and tweed day jacket would be for me. Alright, the youngsters may wear a polo, or, T shirt shirt and pullover( remember our Scottish Weather) instead. A fleece does fit the bill well too.

I would insist on hose pulled up. To my old army eyes any thing else is damned scruffy. Foot wear, for me, would be brogues( wingtips---not those awful ghillie things--- we are talking about functional day wear here, not posing)a good pair of boots would fit the bill if going on rough terrain, they have no place in town though.

OK, remember we are talking Scotland here, head wear is not worn with the kilt much these days, but if a bonnet is worn, the balmoral, or, glengarry is the norm. For the sake of the mods blood pressure, I make no further comment on bonnets.

[Stravaiger]

[QUOTE=Jock Scot;767586]I would insist on hose pulled up. To my old army eyes any thing else is damned scruffy. Foot wear, for me, would be brogues( wingtips---not those awful ghillie things--- we are talking about functional day wear here, not posing)a good pair of boots would fit the bill if going on rough terrain, they have no place in town though.QUOTE]

I have to differ with you just slightly Jock. Outside of work I'm rarely not kilted these days & I tend to dress to suit the weather. In winter I'd nearly always wear hose up, but in summer it's often leather sandals & no hose, or walking boots & hose either up or down, depending on how hot it is. I'd never wear hose scrunched down with shoes however.

Sporran is always a leather "pouch" type - I don't own an silver mounted one! Personal preferences I guess.

[Jock Scot]

[QUOTE=Stravaiger;767840]

I would insist on hose pulled up. To my old army eyes any thing else is damned scruffy. Foot wear, for me, would be brogues( wingtips---not those awful ghillie things--- we are talking about functional day wear here, not posing)a good pair of boots would fit the bill if going on rough terrain, they have no place in town though.QUOTE]

I have to differ with you just slightly Jock. Outside of work I'm rarely not kilted these days & I tend to dress to suit the weather. In winter I'd nearly always wear hose up, but in summer it's often leather sandals & no hose, or walking boots & hose either up or down, depending on how hot it is. I'd never wear hose scrunched down with shoes however.

Sporran is always a leather "pouch" type - I don't own an silver mounted one! Personal preferences I guess.

Fair enough, each to their own.No doubt your weather in the sunny south is much warmer than ours further north!

[Stravaiger]

I'm not sure about the sun Jock, but we are closer to the Gulf Stream

[Stratherrick]

kilty

What I think us 'locals' are saying is, less is more!

Even though you'll be bursting with pride, and want to put on every last trinket, hold back and save the fancy jacket for that special occasion or for your hotel in the evening.

As others have said, especially around the capital, you'll be well accepted in a kilt. From experience, I can say the same for Inverness where I also spend a lot of time.

If you try too hard, it just looks like showing off. Ideally, you should just aim to blend into the background, whether that be the old, cobbled streets of the Old Town, or hiking up a glen somewhere. Even a silver-topped dress sporran can look a bit over the top if all you're doing is just shopping or going for a ride on a boat up the Great Glen. Fancy accoutrements are just that, for fancy occasions.

Enjoy your trip!

Slainte

Bruce