American in Scotland

[KiltedMariner]

Greetings,

I'm becoming addicted to the forum; thanks for all of the great posts! I have more questions:

What is thought when an American wears the kilt in Scotland? Is it appreciated? Posing? Ridiculed? Along the same line, is the kilt still worn as daywear in Scotland? By how many?

Thank you,
Richard

[beloitpiper]

The last (three) times I went to Scotland, I didn't even bring pants. I was warmly welcomed (of course, there was a rabble already expecting my arrival!)

[shawhighlander]

I talked with Lord Jamie Semphill (Spokes person for The Gathering) and my great friend Paul MacLean (who owns MacLean Tours, in Scotland) and both of them were very impressed with the way that we 'Americans' honor our Scottish Heritage. They both commented that the support we show at Highland Games is magnanimous and they are genuinely excited and anticipating our arrival at Edinburgh Games this July!

Absolutely, wear the kilt!

[Tartan Hiker]

I wore a kilt about half the time I was there (8 days total). I saw very few others, got a few compliments (fewer than I would get here in the same amount of time), but no "negatives" at all, except from Asian girls, who almost without fail laughed hysterically every time they saw me.

[The Barry]

From what I've heard (no personal experience here), Scots tend to wear the kilt on weekends. So if you're going to be there on a Friday or Saturday (why would you go for less than a month?), bring a kilt, wear it, and get a pint (hopefully for free) at the pub.

A friend of mine told me a secret about being in a pub in Scotland: bring along a 6' tall redhead and neither of you will pay for drinks. I've got my redhead, anybody else?

[GMan]

Go Kilted.

[Prester John]

I suppose, if there is ANYWHERE one should wear a kilt, Scotland would be the place!

[Jock Scot]

A properly worn tartan kilt is appreciated by us all in Scotland. I am not sure that we are quite ready for the modern style of non tartan kilt though! There are one or two who are wearing them and I doubt if any comment would be made, there will be thoughts, if the modern type was worn here in the highlands, but there are places in, say, Glasgow that might raise a comment or two.

No, the kilt is not daily wear for most Scots, in fact quite the opposite and I doubt that 50% of Scots own a kilt. Make no mistake, whilst they may not own a kilt, ALL Scots consider themselves as kilt experts, even if they are not! Generally speaking, we do not understand the wearing of more than one tartan. There are exceptions, such as wearing a different tartan of the same clan, a pipe band tartan, or, your regimental tartan. So, If you were making a home here for say 6 months or more, stick with one tartan, particularly in the highlands. Nothing would ever be said, but the thought would most certainly be there; "poser", if, you were to wear different tartans.

[shawhighlander]

So, If you were making a home here for say 6 months or more, stick with one tartan, particularly in the highlands. Nothing would ever be said, but the thought would most certainly be there; "poser", if, you were to wear different tartans.

This is actually much needed information for me, and I appreciate it.
"When in Rome, do as the Romans do". I totally agree.

Interestingly, if the 'Scots' and 'Americans' were compared to fine Scotch, I see that the Scottish would be more or less a single-malt and the Americans would be a blend. What I mean is that if you're from Scotland, perhaps you have a much better chance of a solitary traceable bloodline. We Americans are lucky if we can't find 15* or more [*exageration]. Hence the fact of why we might want to wear more than one Tartan.

Take me for instance...I have strong Scottish, German, French and English roots, however, the one that seems to be my calling card or my heart song, would be Scottish (it's in me blood). Furthermore, upon much study I have traced my bloodline to Shaw, MacIntosh, Boyd, Chattan, MacPherson, Forbes, MacDonald, and Johnstone.

As point of fact, I feel that we 'Americans' support *ALL* of our Clan relations with such passion as to be mauled by it. I, myself, hunger for any connection that I can find because it makes me feel alive and have a better understanding for why I do the things I do. Therefore, I tend to want to honor all of the Clans.

...again, I totally agree with your suggestion when in the Highlands.ith:

[Cavebear58]

A properly worn tartan kilt is appreciated by us all in Scotland...

Definitely wear a kilt, but PLEASE note the word "PROPERLY". In my experience, anyone (but especially an American) wearing one improperly is going to attract unwanted scorn.

A few random American spotting clues...

You are unlikely to see a fat Scot over the age of 25 in a cheap printed t-shirt, with white sports socks and trainers, wearing a kilt. Under 25 and not-obese and you could pull it off (so to speak).

You are unlikely to see a Scot in a Jacobite shirt (and those lacy brogues) unless he is working for a cheap retailer on the Royal Mile selling to American tourists.

You are unlikely to see a Scot wearing a flat cap at the same time as a kilt (there's plenty of threads here that make this point).

Other than in rather salubrious parts, you probably won't see much flesh at the same time as the kilt (and, of course, excluding athletes) and I can't say I have ever seen a kilt-wearer with visible tattoos (especially on their calves) (except Naval "other ranks" ones on their lower arms).

Wearing a football shirt with a kilt, does not make you an athlete, and is only really 'normal' when you are in the company of a large number of similarly clad folks (generally with a can in one hand).

Check out 'proper' day wear, for cool spring and autumn nights (when a pullover can be worn) and for hot summer days (when they can't and the choice of shirt is that much more important). A plain shirt and tie with hose up and plain brogues or parade shoes and then you're talking.

Oh, and on the subject of talking... No-one will probably comment on the accent, but if you shout (ie use any more volume than is needed to be heard by someone with perfect hearing) you will be a marked man.

I'm sure others will have a few pointers too!

All the best, Graham.