Is visiting Scotland a "special" occasion?

**Mark Stephenson** · 28th August 11, 12:40 PM

My wife and I will be joining 4 other couples in September 2012 for a 15 -day tour of the "Highlands and Islands". This will be our first visit to Scotland. Recently, there have been several threads that have discussed why those of us of Scottish heritage wear the kilt, and why you don't see Scots often wearing their kilt. In general, it seems most Scots wear the kilt on "special" occasions. I fully intend to bring a kilt (tweed jacket, etc) and wear it on some occasions. If asked if there is a "special" occasion, I would say that my visit to see my Great Great Grandparent's homeland is a VERY special occasion to me. So, perhaps to those who confess to not understanding why Americans would wear a kilt in Scotland, just consider it a "special" occasion.
p.s. In deference to our dear friend Jock, I promise not to wear a flat cap. <grin>

**Jock Scot** · 28th August 11, 12:49 PM

I am sure---no wrong word! I know that you will be made very welcome and I am absolutely confident that you will have a great time-----in spite of the midgies and the rain!

If you venture up to the Great Glen and should you wish to, I would be delighted to meet you all.

**Mark Stephenson** · 28th August 11, 12:53 PM

Jock,
I would count it as a high point of my vist to be able to meet you and buy you a drink. As the event draws nearer, I'll be glad to let you know our agenda and see if that is possible.
Re rain: We've had about 50 inches since early Spring, but today it is sunny and glorious here!

**Phil** · 28th August 11, 01:56 PM

I would be delighted to see you all wearing kilts. It would be a refreshing change from the standard of dress adopted by your compatriots just a few short years ago. Thankfully the "LOUD" shorts, shirts and baseball caps seem to have fallen from fashion and been replaced by an altogether more congenial type of dress. The loud expletives too seem to have disappeared so wearing kilts is indeed a welcome change and one that everyone here will appreciate. After all we hardly ever get to see them otherwise.

**Mark Stephenson** · 28th August 11, 02:02 PM

Phil,
Re your comment: "...we hardly ever get to see them otherwise":
That reminds me of what happened to me at Christmas Eve church service last year. I wore a kilt and tweed jacket to the service. After the service an elderly lady came up to me. She had a tear in her eye. She was from Scotland, but had moved here many, many years ago. She said she couldn't remember the last time she saw a man in a kilt and it warmed her heart. After she said that, we both wer choked up.

**Phil** · 28th August 11, 02:10 PM

I do hope you wear your kilts as I know they will genuinely be appreciated here.

**creagdhubh** · 30th August 11, 05:35 PM

Originally Posted by Jock Scot

I am sure---no wrong word! I know that you will be made very welcome and I am absolutely confident that you will have a great time-----in spite of the midgies and the rain!

If you venture up to the Great Glen and should you wish to, I would be delighted to meet you all.

Quite right! You'll have a blast, Mark!

**John_Carrick** · 29th August 11, 01:12 AM

I am now confident and not self conscious in my kilt in Scotland and people are very friendly and pleased to see the kilt, even when they hear my English accent. It is more common to see them in Edinburgh (and quite rare in other areas), where it seems quite common to wear a kilt on a night out that is not a special occasion. Old ladies are particularly encouraging - one nice lady told me that you can wear it "absolutely anywhere". However climbing a Munro kilted in the winter months is not a great idea. Something suitably long and waterproof is a good idea.
John
PS I believe I have seen the gentleman in Inveraray on a very wet Sunday in June when I was buying maps. You are an asset to Visit Scotland!