I had to look up what the word stushie meant!

Of course jeans have their uses for activities when a kilt would not be suitable and to keep them from getting soiled and damaged. But my comment referred more to their use as everyday wear in Scotland as opposed to the kilt.

It's case of image versus reality. Scotland has given the world the kilt (with a little help from others one has to add) but the native inhabitants do not wear it most of the time whereas those in exile or of Scottish descent are often more frequent in their wearing - as Alex says, it's a link and gives a feeling of belongingness.

A kilted man in Edinburgh on a weekday is often thought to be a tourist by the residents (unless he is piping) and visiting tourists keep on stopping them and asking them to pose for photos. I should know, it has happened to me often enough! They have seen all the kilts in the travel literature photos and then wonder where they are in reality. If I go to a travel agent and get brochures about Canada there will be Mountie photos in it - well I have been twice so far and never seen one in a red tunic.

Many Scots have never worn a kilt let alone owned one - when they hire one to get married in it could well be the first time in their lives and in many cases also the last time.

Many own at least one but outside of Weddings, Highland Games, Ceilidhs or Rugby internationals the kilt will spend most of its time in the closet. Yet funnily enough when travelling abroad they often take it with them!