Robin, from our trip to Scotland I would come to the same conclusion, I even entertained the thought that kiltwearing was more difficult in Scotland, I sensed that some thought I was a tourist (which I was) or worse. Kiltwearing was not as natural as I'd hoped.

Maybe the people there (like so many other places), carry a lot of baggage from the past.
In England, well, perhaps worse, I still suspect that Scots are not well liked there (I'm English-born, so I can say that!!).

This is compared with Australia, where I feel that things are more easy going and attitudes to dress more casual and tolerant.

I may be wrong, but that was my impression.