fREEDOM KILT="Beach kilt"

[irishrob]

My son just called from Scotland to check in and tell me what is going on and ask for money (typical teenager!)---but most of all he had to call and express his disappointment in the locals and the kilt shops.

His sister took him to several "bespoke" kilt shops in Edinburgh so he could check out the wears and see how they compared with our "Kilt Kloset." It seems that all of our tanks are as good if not better than most those being sold....I tried to tell him before he left that with that the exception of our Stillwater, our Freedom camo,and our Pittsburgh camo and the Ebay kilt all our kilts were made in Scotland and and are 8 or 9 yard hand stitched tanks (but again, the teenager thing!)

He was wearing his Freedom kilt and apparently the derision was pretty extensive. He said everyone called it a "beach" kilt and gave him a hard time about the pockets. He indicated that he was never treated that poorly here. I guess he tried to explain about casual kilts versus more traditional but he hasn't the experience or maturity to deal with the situation. Between that and the fact that things are more expensive and "their money is worth twice as much as ours!" (insert whine here!) and the chilly weather he was kind of bummed out.

Now I am looking forward to wearing my camo kilts more to the beach!! After all, Edinburghers called it!

Rob

[starbkjrus]

Yep. Two weeks there and no one gave second glance to a tartan kilt beit an 8 yard tank, four yard box pleat or USAKilt casual. Not at all.

Walk down the street in a Utilikilt and you were a target. They just didn't seem to get it. When you engage the person then it's generally fine but overall the Scots are not open to "modern" kilts. (In my own humble experience.)

[fluter]

My son just called from Scotland ... and the chilly weather he was kind of bummed out.

Just have him stop here for 3 days on the way home---he'll appreciate Scotland's summer weather then. It's excellent that he's having the opportunity, hope that he has fun.

[Arlen]

Well, hopefully things will look up for him.
It's difficult, especially in Edinburgh, to find anyone who appreciates a contemporary kilt.
There are far too many people in Scotland who feel that they are the only ones with a right to wear a kilt. And, while most of them couldn't tell the difference between wool and PV, they are happy to yell that modern kilts aren't real kilts.

But I'm pretty sure a few of us Scots on here would be happy to show the boy a friendly face and, of course, appreciate his FK.

[Perldog007]

If I ever get over there, I will wear what I wear. If they take exception, I will offer to remove the offending garment immediately. Since I am a whopping fat , usually snaps them out of it - and that right soon.


Hope your son starts having fun soon! Seems so sad that people have to pick on a person for what they wear. As unruly as I am, never have said a word to anyone about their attire except a compliment.

[irishrob]

I received an email from the Prdigal Son in Edinburgh last night and things are going much better. It seems that the visits to the kiltmakers was the final straw for a bad day. Now it appears that castles and museums and just general sight-seeing have perked him up and that Scotland is "all right and kind of cool!" He has mastered the bus system and said he might wear his Freedom kilt again later this week.

It appears that he is getting over the language barrier again as his typing seems to have gained a brouge...he acquired a temporary accent a couple of years ago when we spent quite bit of time with the new Scots relatives and friends at my daughter's wedding.

Looks like we should get a pile of pics and good reviews for most of the trip.

Rob

[Peter C.]

I have never had any problems in Scotland but then I have never worn a contemporary kilt.

I can't imagine what sort of people make adverse comments about a strangers clothes. I can only imagine that they were teenagers.

Peter

[Graham]

I'm amazed to hear this, after all, Edinburgh has one of the best contemporary kilt designers and makers - 21st Century kilts! They make kilts so far out that I wouldn't wear them (but admire anyway).

I guess old ideas and narrow thinking dies hard, same as anywhere.
Next time I'm in Scotland I must remember to pack one of my RKilt hemp kilts....with Pockets!!!

[Hamish]

I have frequently worn Utilikilts when in Edinburgh and have never received anything other than silence (!) or compliments whilst there. I remember being in one bar and getting into a conversation with some trousered younger Scots guys who were intrigued by the Utilikilt I was wearing. They clearly thought the large pockets a huge advantage and the fact that there were kilts out there built for 'knocking about in'. They, like so many, wrongly considered tartan kilts to be for special occasions only.

Here I am on the Royal Yacht 'Britannia' whilst on my last stay in the Capital:


I am wondering, Rob, if your son's experiences could have been due to his youth and possibly his not having as much confidence as some of us more 'mature' kilt wearers. Even a slight lack of confidence can make us vulnerable. Just a thought.

[staticsan]

... They, like so many, wrongly considered tartan kilts to be for special occasions only.

This is an interesting point.

It was whilst wearing my tartan SportKilt in Washington DC the other week that I may have challenged a young scot's notion of "kilt == costume". Although all he wanted was a picture with me, he did say he'd left his kilt at home. Perhaps seeing a random tourist kilted as clothing may help him realize that you dont' have to regard it as a mere costume. If he needed such adjustment. Whoever he was.

Wade.