Food For Thought Two(F4T2)

[Lime]

An Englishman has British nationality, as does a Scotsman. They both live in the United Kingdom. So domicile becomes less important in the equation. Or does it?

Well, strictly speaking, domicile is actually completely irrelevant as the rules are really designed to designate where you pay tax; I just think that the rules are interesting when applied to your question... they could equally be applied Highlanders as opposed to Lowlanders; Islanders to Mainlanders; Townies to Countryfolk or any other groups you care to contrast.

I accept that there are probably millions of exceptions to the rule!

[Sir William]

Very interesting and fascinating results, Jock. Thanks for taking time to do this.

There is much to be learned from this, informal survey or not. It appears many of the answers are about 180 degrees out from our Forum - which is not surprising.

I did notice a correlation between questions 6, 9, 10 and 15. It would appear that Scots believe the kilt is for wear by Scots only and primarily in Scotland (or the UK at the very least). I'm not disputing your results, merely wondering why this perception.

6. Are you a Scot?(tick 1)
Yes: 100
No: 10

9. Where would you normally wear the civilian kilt?(tick 1)
Solely in the Highlands: 42
Solely in Scotland: 51
In the UK: 17

10. Would you ever wear the civilian kilt outwith the UK?(tick 1)
Yes, in exceptional circumstances: 30
Never: 80

15.Do you mind who wears the kilt?(tick 1)
Highlanders only: 42
Scots only: 59
Anyone: 9

[Jock Scot]

Very interesting and fascinating results, Jock. Thanks for taking time to do this.

There is much to be learned from this, informal survey or not. It appears many of the answers are about 180 degrees out from our Forum - which is not surprising.

I did notice a correlation between questions 6, 9, 10 and 15. It would appear that Scots believe the kilt is for wear by Scots only and primarily in Scotland (or the UK at the very least). I'm not disputing your results, merely wondering why this perception.

6. Are you a Scot?(tick 1)
Yes: 100
No: 10

9. Where would you normally wear the civilian kilt?(tick 1)
Solely in the Highlands: 42
Solely in Scotland: 51
In the UK: 17

10. Would you ever wear the civilian kilt outwith the UK?(tick 1)
Yes, in exceptional circumstances: 30
Never: 80

15.Do you mind who wears the kilt?(tick 1)
Highlanders only: 42
Scots only: 59
Anyone: 9

This way of thinking is nothing new, the kilt has always been regarded as "ours" by many Scots. I think I may have mentioned this point from time to time! What is a surprise to me is the strength of feeling, possessiveness if you like, from the younger generation. I actually thought that they would be rather more laid back about this than the survey indicates.

So after quite a bit of thinking over this point, I wonder , if it is to do with the possibility of Scots independence in the near(?) future and the Scots Parliament that most of those questioned have grown up with for much of their lives. I really don't know, but I suspect it may be the case.

[seanachie]

This way of thinking is nothing new, the kilt has always been regarded as "ours" by many Scots. I think I may have mentioned this point from time to time! What is a surprise to me is the strength of feeling, possessiveness if you like, from the younger generation. I actually thought that they would be rather more laid back about this than the survey indicates.

So after quite a bit of thinking over this point, I wonder , if it is to do with the possibility of Scots independence in the near(?) future and the Scots Parliament that most of those questioned have grown up with for much of their lives. I really don't know, but I suspect it may be the case.

Jock:
I watch PMQs each week they occur and I watch First Ministers Questions as often as time allows. In the recent past I have seen a lot of discussion on jobs, job creation and economic development particularly as Scotland competes against other parts of the UK. I would wonder this sense of "ours" would forego any economic benefit to Scottish business to be able to stake the claim that is exclusively Scottish and the kilt is the exclusive province of Scots. I can complete understand the sense of affront if it was worn in such a way to denigrate Scottish culture. I think it is worth noting that many district tartans and fashion tartans etc are products of Scots themselves. Just as an intellectual exercise from a legal perspective it would be interesting to see if the "copyright" (for lack of a better term) would hold water.

[auld argonian]

I would wonder this sense of "ours" would forego any economic benefit to Scottish business to be able to stake the claim that is exclusively Scottish and the kilt is the exclusive province of Scots. I can complete understand the sense of affront if it was worn in such a way to denigrate Scottish culture. I think it is worth noting that many district tartans and fashion tartans etc are products of Scots themselves. Just as an intellectual exercise from a legal perspective it would be interesting to see if the "copyright" (for lack of a better term) would hold water.

I suppose it might be a case of "you outsiders can wear all the kilts you want, just don't wear them here."

Coincidentally, I just checked my email and see another message from "Heather" at Scottish tourism (Heather....what are the odds?). I just emailed back that we're probably going to be over in the spring and I'll be in my native ethnic garb: jeans and a White Sox t-shirt.

Best

AA

[CMcG]

A hearty thanks to Jock Scot and all his volunteers for providing such wonderful insights into their views on the kilt. I think it would also be fascinating if another Scot were to undertake such an endeavour with a different social group, in some other part of Scotland... can anyone guess how the results might vary in Glasgow or Edinburgh?

[madmacs]

I suppose it might be a case of "you outsiders can wear all the kilts you want, just don't wear them here."

I'd be surprised if any Scot voiced that sentiment without a) alcohol or b) being asked their opinion.

[Tobus]

Good stuff, and thanks for taking the time to gather and post this information, Jock!

Most of it seems to be in line with what you have said in the past about how Scots think. But there was one real shocker for me:

8. How often do you wear the kilt?(tick 1)
Up to 5 times a year: 9
Up to 10 times a year: 0
More than 20: 12
More than 50: 51
100 times plus: 38

If this is true, then the vast majority of Scots in this particular demographic are wearing their kilts at least once a week. That seems to differ from the impression that many of us have taken, that Scots only don their kilts very rarely.

Since this demographic seems to be of a younger set, and considering the results of question 22, I think perhaps it's encouraging.

[artificer]

Good stuff, and thanks for taking the time to gather and post this information, Jock!

Most of it seems to be in line with what you have said in the past about how Scots think. But there was one real shocker for me:



If this is true, then the vast majority of Scots in this particular demographic are wearing their kilts at least once a week. That seems to differ from the impression that many of us have taken, that Scots only don their kilts very rarely.

Since this demographic seems to be of a younger set, and considering the results of question 22, I think perhaps it's encouraging.

I found that surprising as well. Especially given the below stat

7. When do you wear the kilt?(tick 1)
Mainly during the day for smart and casual events: 12
Mainly for weddings: 18 (NOTE for Xmarks members. Most, if not all wedding services in the UK take place during the day)
Mainly for evening dress occasions: 30
About even amounts: 50

ith:

[Tobus]

I found that surprising as well. Especially given the below stat

7. When do you wear the kilt?(tick 1)
Mainly during the day for smart and casual events: 12
Mainly for weddings: 18 (NOTE for Xmarks members. Most, if not all wedding services in the UK take place during the day)
Mainly for evening dress occasions: 30
About even amounts: 50

ith:

Yes, and I wasn't sure how to interpret that particular question. The last part of it (stating "about even amounts") confuses me. But the majority of respondents voted for this option. I am assuming this means that they wear their kilts equally often between day events, weddings, and evening dress occasions. If so, this would explain why they wear it at least once a week, and that kilt-wearing is on the rise. I'd be very glad to hear that the kilt is no longer relegated to being worn only for the most special occasions. It strikes me as a pretty good balance to hear of the kilt being worn on average once a week, for mainly 'smart' occasions and anything more dressy than that.