About kilts in Scotland

[glengall1]

The price of kilts has been mentioned as a factor. Don't forget the cost of the jacket, etc. I wonder what percentage of Scottish men actually own a kilt? Given the infrequency of formal events, I would suspect that most just rent complete kilt outfits when needed for the occasional wedding (present company excepted), just like most men in the U.S. rent, rather than own tuxedos. (And like in the U.S. its the wedding party that more often wears them, not the guests.)

Best regards,

Jake
(Proud member of the kilt wearing minority)

I would reckon you are completely right. A full outfir costs in the region of £750 which is a lot of dosh. I reckon about 95% of people do not own a kilt and hire. It is my job to convince them that after 10 hires they would have had it for life.

[Alan H]

I undderstand that the football games thing has increased kilt-wearing, generally in Scotland.

Any comments from the locals?

Recently I wnt to Bishop, Calfiornia, on vacation. 20 miles east of Bishop is the Nation Bristlecone Pine Refuge...home of the world oldest living organsims, a colony of ancient bristlecone pine tree. Of the 9-10 locals that we'd talked to, they all knew about it, everyone knew how to get there, and not one of them had ever visited. It's another example of the "kilts and castles" syndrome.

I, however, drove nearly 500 miles to go backpacking, and wouldn't miss a visit to the bristlecones, when I'm in the area. wierd.

[MacTavishOfJapan]

I undderstand that the football games thing has increased kilt-wearing, generally in Scotland.

Any comments from the locals?

Yeeah it seems to have become part of the tartan army 'uniform'. The first non wool kilt I saw was advertised as 'excellent for going to football and rugby in".

There was a classic picture on the front page of one of the tabloids from the World Cup in France in 1998. We suffered a glorious defeat to Brazil in the opening game. The next morning there was a (whole page) picture of a pair of kilted legs sticking out a hedge or bush after a night of revellry! Excellent!

[McClef]

It's possible to get reasonably priced "off the peg" casual kilts not made of wool and with less pleating (5 yards as opposed to 8 yards) and in a limited range of tartans from several ebay shops here in the UK.

Some purists look down their noses at them but they are fine for everyday wear and that then saves the expensive tailor made jobbies for those special occasions whilst still allowing kilts be worn more frequently.

Better showing some kilt than no kilt IMHO

[MacTavishOfJapan]

It's possible to get reasonably priced "off the peg" casual kilts not made of wool and with less pleating (5 yards as opposed to 8 yards) and in a limited range of tartans from several ebay shops here in the UK.

Some purists look down their noses at them but they are fine for everyday wear and that then saves the expensive tailor made jobbies for those special occasions whilst still allowing kilts be worn more frequently.

Better showing some kilt than no kilt IMHO

Yeah, coming from Edinburgh (probably the kilt capital of the world! ) I'd say there is suspiscion towards kilt innovation. I reckon the only real way I can decide is to try a few out. From many of the posts here it looks good.

[glengall1]

Yeah, coming from Edinburgh (probably the kilt capital of the world! ) I'd say there is suspiscion towards kilt innovation. I reckon the only real way I can decide is to try a few out. From many of the posts here it looks good.

i would agree with you (and I am a Glaswegian as well :rolleyes: Not often the West coast agrees with the East coast ) but Edinburgh is definitely the kilt capital of Scotland most definitely. I am a very big supporter of the casual kilt as you point out they are far more affordable to the general working man. there is a noticable difference though I must say between the 4 yard and the 8 yard kilt but as the old adage goes you get what you pay for. Most of my friends that go on the rugby tours all have the traditional 8 yard kilts but ALSO have a casual kilt which is worn more often. We tend to do this as one of the previous posters stated bushes and such things do tend to creep up on you with unceasing regularity :rolleyes:

[auld argonian]

The mention of the Tartan Army reminds me to ask: does anyone know if there are off the rack 5 yard kilts in the Tartan Army tartan available from any dealer? It's not a half bad tartan and I wondered if this might be the case.

Best

AA

[Master Boid]

...but Edinburgh is definitely the kilt capital of Scotland most definitely.

Coming from Inverness myself that is the type of thing most tourists think about Inverness. Lots of deer, castles and kilt wearing men because its in the highlands etc.

In Scotland (at least when I lived there) most men wore kilts for formal events only and, due to the price, never really for casual wear.

Can't say I've ever really caught onto UK's which is most likely due to my fathers influence (he's a traditionilist who disdains PVC, acrylic or cheap impersonations of what he calls 'proper' kilts.)

On a side note...have any of the American members of this site ever wondered about wearing a tartan from a different clan? The Stewart tartans were created for the English to wear (or allowed to wear) but as far as I know, in the old days, you weren't allowed to wear the tartan of another clan unless you were of that clan.

Clearly that no longer applies but that's probably partily the reason that the 'grouchy' old Scottish women I've read about in some posts start being all grouchy.