kiltwear in Scotland

[bchunter]

My family and I are planning to visit Northern Ireland and Scotland in early March. My oldest daughter is in Belfast doing a year of church service and we plan to visit her there then foray into Scotland. My question is whether I'd be an oddity or known tourist if I wore a kilt while in Scotland? I wear it here from time to time, not daily, and am comfortable wherever I go here. What's the consensus?

[ChattanCat]

The typical Scotsman wears blue jeans. I am not an expert but if you wear a kilt in Scotland, wear your clan tartan. A nice wool kilt will be widely excepted.

[Mael Coluim]

Then there are those who have done it; Kilted fortnight holiday in scotland & france . Cutting to the chase, read the synopsis on post #436.

[Jock Scot]

I have no doubts that you will me made very welcome here. March can be cold and wet so bring plenty of warm clothes. As to the kilt, wear it by all means, a non tartan kilt will raise an eyebrow, but a traditional tartan kilt worn properly will be appreciated. Make no mistake though you could be the only person within a hundred square miles of yourself wearing the kilt. If you are planning to be in the Inverness/Fort William area and fancy a wee dram somewhere then do let me know.

[cessna152towser]

Yes, as others have said, relatively few Scots wear the kilt as everyday wear, but if you do choose to wear it you are unlikely to receive any attention, other than possible positive attention from tourists wanting to be photographed with you.
I wear a kilt almost daily here in Scotland.
I have worn a kilt out and about in Belfast a few times and it will turn a few heads but you should not have any problems. Kilts definitely draw attention to you in some of the smaller Northern Irish towns, I always get a few comments when I wear the kilt around Portadown and Lurgan.
Let me know if you will be passing through the Scottish Borders and maybe a kilt meet can be arranged.

[Redshank]

I have to agree with the fine words of Jock and Alex, however don't wear white hose, and if your passing through Inveraray, pop in and say Hi.

[MacHummel]

I know when I was in Scotland a few years back i brought 5 kilts and 2 pairs of jeans, I was going to a wedding at the Cameron House, when my friend Roddy meet at the airport he saw I was wearing a kilt and said "the wedding isn't for a few days, why dressed up " i continued to wear my kilts thought out my trip but got comment about being dressed alot, the best one was at Stirling castle when an american couple asked if I was a tour guide. So its really up to you I know I didn't care what people thought, but sometimes it good have the "pants" around for such things.

[ForresterModern]

I wore kilts 9 of 10 days in Scotland two years ago and got no grief from anyone, got the question from a few tourists, got asked for directions a couple times, and had numerous scots comment on the kilt and my proper wearing of it. Other than a lot of kilts at the Strathmore Highland Games, the only other kilts I saw were on a hotel doorman at the Balmoral, one Royal Mile salesperson nattily clad in tweed and tartan, a handful of busking pipers, a friend who was in Edinburgh for the same reason as I, several wedding parties we drove by gathered around churches, and one drunken American tourist taking an evening Royal Mile Ghost tour wearing a very ill-fitting poor quality off the rack kilt. Most of the scots I met looked me up and down a bit as if to see if I was doing it right, then went on about their business without saying a word. Those that did comment all were very positive about it.

Go for it---nobody will give you grief. Be prepared to answer questions about whatever tartan you are sporting that day, and why, as most scots only wear one family tartan themselves and might be curious as to your reasons for wearing a tartan other than your primary family tartan.

[beloitpiper]

I wore my kilt exclusively all three times I've been to Scotland and got no hassle. In fact, I was warmly welcomed. The only people who made a fuss were the other tourists, and that's only because they wanted a photo--usually when I was already late for a train!

[Jack Daw]

I wore my kilt in Scotland a couple of times pertaining to my clan gathering. I was not run out of town by angry citizens carrying torches. Instead, I discovered that Highland Hospitality is not something made up by Sir Walter Scott.