Travelling to Scotland - Great Kilt or different type

**MorningGoat** · 29th January 23, 05:34 AM

Hello all! I am a Utility Kill enjoyer but have never worn a true kilt. My wife is graduating in May with her BS in Geology so we are going to it's birthplace: Scotland. Also, she is a Sutherland and I hail from the McLellans, so it will be neat to see where our distant ancestors came from (though we know not to tell the locals that all the time and be annoying Americans, ha).

I see these shops selling normal kilts but I kind of want to get a Great Kilt (or something similar, just not as formal as a regular kilt I think?). Is there anything I should be asking or place I should be going that's different than a kilt shop? We will be in Edinburgh, Isle of Skye, Glencoe, and all over the highlands.

This forum has been a wealth of information already and I appreciate what I've learned from just lurking. I'll make sure to come back and post photos of our trip.

Edit: Sorry, guess it wasn't clear: I am wondering if there is a specific place to purchase one to bring home or just any kilt shop.

**Liam** · 29th January 23, 08:41 AM

Welcome to the forum!
In regards to wearing a great kilt to Scotland, unless you were attending a ren fair, I would suggest no. Several years ago I wore a ‘conventional’ kilt while visiting Scotland and it worked for me, although as soon as I opened my mouth I was marked as a tourist. You will find that very few Scots wear kilts on a regular basis except for special occasions such as weddings and Highland games.

**Jock Scot** · 29th January 23, 10:34 AM

Well, if you want to wear a great kilt in Scotland, then do it. BUT, I wouldn't if I was you.

**Steve Ashton** · 29th January 23, 12:12 PM

As a kiltmaker visiting Scotland to meet with my suppliers I wore a kilt.

No matter where I went I was instantly branded a 'tourist'. During my time in Edinburgh, myself and Howie Nicklesby of 21st Century Kilts, were about the only kilts in the city other than hotel bellboys and street performers.

At the castle, I could have paid for the trip if I had put my hat at my feet from all the other tourists who wanted a photo of "The guy in the kilt'.

I walked into perhaps one of the most respected kilt shops on the Royal Mile. The single clerk was a young man in trousers up on a ladder arranging a display. He had his back to the door and I had walked about halfway down the shop before he turned around. His snide comment was "Oh, another American who came to Scotland and got himself a kilt." I was so shocked that my only response was "Actually I am a Canadian kiltmaker and I wear a kilt every day in my shop. And you, sir, just lost a sale." I turned a walked out.

More times than I care to think about I heard rude comments said behind my back.

My suggestion about wearing a kilt in Scotland - Unless you are attending a kilt specific event - don't.

**MorningGoat** · 29th January 23, 12:54 PM

Thanks for all the good advice. I edited my post as I don't think I was being clear. I want to get a great kilt to bring home, not really to wear around there. I'm just not sure if there are specific places to get them or if any kilt shop would be able to help me out.

**Jock Scot** · 29th January 23, 01:54 PM

I know absolutely nothing about how a great kilt is constructed and worn and I suspect most kilt wearers in Scotland would be in the same boat. I suspect that there are more in North America, with their rather more romantic ideas of the great kilt, who would be able to advise you, rather than in Scotland.

**Liam** · 29th January 23, 08:30 PM

Originally Posted by MorningGoat

Thanks for all the good advice. I edited my post as I don't think I was being clear. I want to get a great kilt to bring home, not really to wear around there. I'm just not sure if there are specific places to get them or if any kilt shop would be able to help me out.

I would suggest talking to the folks at Celtic Croft or USA Kilts, both who offer great kilt in the USA with fabric from Scotland. They are both advertisers here.

**OC Richard** · 12th February 23, 04:58 AM

Originally Posted by MorningGoat

I kind of want to get a Great Kilt (or something similar, just not as formal as a regular kilt I think?).

I would say that, in the background or history of Highland Dress, a Great Kilt is much more formal than the ordinary modern kilt.

Because the great kilt was the entire traditional garment, and the "little kilt" was merely an abbreviated form, created as a less-expensive working garment.

Thus in the 18th century Highland regiments the great kilt was worn in full dress, for parades, and the little kilt was worn for fatigue dress, digging ditches and the like.

By the beginning of the Victorian era the great kilt was a thing of the past, and hasn't been a part of traditional Highland Dress for around 200 years now.

Fashion in clothing evolves. The modern men's suit is "traditional" because it's the modern version of garments that can be traced back, through numerous historical versions, in an unbroken chain of evolution.

But an 18th century men's suit, today, is a historical costume. So it is with the great kilt.

I'm afraid that an American tourist walking around Scotland today wearing 18th century Scottish costume would be perceived much like a foreign tourist today walking around Philadelphia wearing 18th century Colonial America costume.

**OC Richard** · 12th February 23, 05:05 AM

Personally, on my various holidays in Scotland I've not packed a kilt.

A Highland outfit would take up too much valuable luggage space.

The exception was when I was travelling with a Pipe Band and obviously we wore our band uniform when performing in Scotland, just as we do when performing here in the USA.

**jthk** · 17th February 23, 09:10 AM

If you want to wear your kilt, wear it. As for being marked as a tourist -- so what? You are one. Nothing wrong with that! I have travelled in Scotland (and in other countries) while wearing a traditional kilt and if anything, was received well. Most often, no one said anything. After a nice walk up Arthur's Seat in Edinburgh, I saw a man biking in a great kilt -- I was informed that he was a local. I wouldn't do it myself but ... I saw it.

Whenever I wear either traditional kilts or the belted plaid (in a modern context), I always try to be as neat and tidy and contextually-appropriate as I can, no matter where I am in the world.

Ooops, I re-read your post. Sorry! Yeah, you can buy a "great kilt" -- just fabric -- from kinda anywhere.

As someone who wears one regularly, my sweet spot is 13 oz wool. 11 oz for warmer weather. 16 oz is nice for a traditional kilt but I find it too much for a great kilt.

Regards,
Jonathan