Man Denied Admission to Busch Gardens for wearing a kilt

**Wareyin** · 20th October 15, 07:17 AM

I have been to that park, years ago. They divide it into sections by country, with a Scottish area. I think they still have a large coaster called "The Loch Ness Monster", so I can understand why some might think a kilt signified being a park employee.

**Farmer Jones** · 20th October 15, 07:25 AM

I wonder how they might have responded to a lady in a sari, or a man wearing a 3 piece Victorian style suit, in the manner of "steampunk", or perhaps a child with a blanket tied around his neck as a pretend super-hero cape.

**tundramanq** · 20th October 15, 07:51 AM

Albuquerque was a person driving around town with a fake police vehicle and uniform impersonating a Cop. Knowing a lost kid will probably trust park staff and that kilts are uncommon on the street, I can empathize with Busch Gardens on one side. But the kids need to know to look for the identification badges that all the staff members must wear.
I will bet that Disney has a similar policy about guests dressing like Goofy or Snow White.

**Jock Scot** · 20th October 15, 08:02 AM

A theoretical point I know, but I wonder if the gentleman in question had dressed himself more traditionally in kilt attire and therefore perhaps more recognisable to the park staff he could well have avoided the resulting upset? When all said and done his outfit was hardly a typical outfit.

**Flavia** · 20th October 15, 08:14 AM

Originally Posted by Jock Scot

A theoretical point I know, but I wonder if the gentleman in question had dressed himself more traditionally in kilt attire and therefore perhaps more recognisable to the park staff he could well have avoided the resulting upset? When all said and done his outfit was hardly a typical outfit.

I, personally, would have thought that "more regular kilt attire" would have been MORE of a reason for him to be confused with workers in the park. I am sure that the workers. there, look less..."off" than he did.

**Jock Scot** · 20th October 15, 08:41 AM

Originally Posted by Flavia

I, personally, would have thought that "more regular kilt attire" would have been MORE of a reason for him to be confused with workers in the park. I am sure that the workers. there, look less..."off" than he did.

In that case, the park staff should be congratulated for not letting the fellow in. He is obviously an attention seeking buffoon.

**AFS1970** · 20th October 15, 11:37 AM

Just looking at the picture attached to that news video, makes me think the guy has little if any knowledge of his "Celtic heritage" nor what is and is not a costume.

We have had many discussions here about boots and kilts, even about T-shirts and kilts, which I assume would also apply to similar sweatshirts and kilts. But the fact that he, like so many clueless ren faire attendees think they need to wear a woman's sash with their kilt is what to me marks it as a costume, even if an unintended one.

Oddly enough I will be at Busch Gardens around Christmas time and while I will likely have my kilt with me, I had not thought of wearing it to the park.

**Tartan Tess** · 21st October 15, 05:30 PM

To be honest, after watching the video, with what I know about heritage and Scottish and Highland games. He had a sash across his sweatshirt. That seems like a "costume effect" to me and could be confusing... If I was a 22 year old gate guard, I would be confused.

**MacCathmhaoil** · 21st October 15, 06:16 PM

Honestly if he showed up at your door dressed liked that would you let him in?

**Flavia** · 20th October 15, 08:09 AM

Originally Posted by tundramanq

Albuquerque was a person driving around town with a fake police vehicle and uniform impersonating a Cop. Knowing a lost kid will probably trust park staff and that kilts are uncommon on the street, I can empathize with Busch Gardens on one side. But the kids need to know to look for the identification badges that all the staff members must wear.
I will bet that Disney has a similar policy about guests dressing like Goofy or Snow White.

True, but this guy looked...let's just say "extremely CASUAL." I don't see anyone confusing him with a park employee. AND their "No Costume" "rule" was being broken by lots of other guests. That's why I'm not buying it.

I don't actually think anyone set out to "insult his heritage". That's ascribing too much agency to the guards. But they were dumb & doubled down on it, which was bad, & then higher-ups just made it worse. Corporate's response was almost mocking.