Film director refused entry for wearing a kilt

[Mattg]

It's hard to tell if they were really turned away for wearing kilts, or for being too drunk...if it was the kilts....then there's something rotten in Denmark, er, Edinburgh...

[auld argonian]

...so the obvious thing to do is for someone who is as sober as possible to go to this joint and try to gain entry while kilted...if they turn them away, they're a kilt-unfriendly establishment in Edinburgh...and thus subject to all of the contempt that that entitles them to. If not...?

Of course, "...the management reserves the right...".

Best

AA

[Josh_E]

Mattg is right. From my point of view the article seems to focus more on the fact that they were refused entrance because of being kilted not drunk.

[Blu (Ontario)]

I suspect that the truth lies somewhere between the two versions.

[Ugly Bear]

There was a similar story and thread posted at Xmarks a while ago (a year, maybe?). What came to light in that thread is that in Great Britain, kilts can mean trouble, sort of like wearing your gang colors. It may well be that management just didn't want trouble.

There was another thread here about why more Scots don't wear the kilt casually. This, I think, helps explain that. They really do seem to relegate the kilt to formal/special occasions, and wearing it casually tends to break some sort of societal norm.

In the other thread, I opined that this is a bit of evidence showing that the Scots are forsaking their national heritage. I've since softened that position. But the next time you're out casually wearing the kilt and you happen to run into a Scot who tells you that you just can't do that, you may reply, "Neither, it seems, can you."

[ByDand]

I'll agree with Auld Argonian. Send someone sober and kilted to the place and if they are refused entry, the whole world should know about it. However, the establishment has already been put on notice about kilts not being permitted and they may have changed their doorman or their policy. Either way, the next kilted gentleman to go will probably be admitted. What do they say about publicity . . . good or bad makes no difference, as long as it's free

[davedove]

It may well be that management just didn't want trouble.

That's very true. Many establishments, especially those that serve alcohol, tend to be more worried about what may or may not cause trouble than what is fair.

They really do seem to relegate the kilt to formal/special occasions, and wearing it casually tends to break some sort of societal norm.

But the next time you're out casually wearing the kilt and you happen to run into a Scot who tells you that you just can't do that, you may reply, "Neither, it seems, can you."

I think that may be the British influence. There seems to be more emphasis on "That just isn't done."

Here in the States, a likely response to that comment is "Says who?"

[Pour1Malt]

soonds like the twa lads were drunk tae ma....

kilts arr pretty common in Edinburgh...

[An t-Ileach]

... Many establishments, especially those that serve alcohol, tend to be more worried about what may or may not cause trouble than what is fair...

This is a fair bet on the side of caution given the British reputation (richly deserved, I suppose) for destructiveness and general mayhem when lubricated with alcohol.

[Kilted KT]

hmm...sounds like a place you don't want to go back to...