Wearing Black Watch kilt in Scotland (?)

**Tartan Hiker** · 21st October 06, 07:01 PM

OK, bear with me. As my trip to Scotland gets closer I keep coming up with new questions. This probably won't be the last. I promise I'll always do a thorough search of previous threads before posting!

So here's the question of the day. (I apologize if this seems to be a frivolous post.)

I'll be there in December, so I'm not even considering taking light-weight kilts. I have two 8-yarders with enough wool to keep my tush from freezing... MacDonald modern (that will hopefully arrive next week!) and Black Watch. The MacDonald is a given, especially since I'll be in MacDonald country (driving down the Great Glen to Invergarry) and I'm a "card-carrying" member of Clan Donald USA . But what about the Black Watch? I don't want to appear that I'm impersonating a member of the British military, or worse that I'm dishonoring them. Around here when the temperatures dip I usually wear the BW with my black commando sweater. How would this be perceived? Would my favorite black hooded sweatshirt be a better choice?

An analogous situation might be the wearing of "army surplus" clothing here in the states (and probably everywhere), which has been popular for decades. Most folks, including veterans and active military, probably aren't alarmed or insulted by this. There is, after all, a clear and easily perceived difference between a civilian wearing a military surplus coat with jeans on the one hand and donning a full uniform on the other. Would it be the same in the UK?

And I am aware that the Black Watch tartan is also used by several clans and associations, and I have seen the old thread about wearing BW in Ireland.

So what say you experienced travelers, and you native Scots. Do I wear it or leave it at home?

**Bob C** · 21st October 06, 07:23 PM

A Campbell tartan in MacDonald land?

It was nice knowin' ye, laddie. ;)

**slohairt** · 21st October 06, 07:32 PM

The Black Watch tartan is so common and so widely used by the garment industry in general that I wouldn't think it would matter. What do you mean about wearing the Black Watch tartan in Ireland? When I lived there I wore my Black Watch all the time! (It is a Canadian Army surplus tank) No one seemed to care!
I would worry more about wearing a tartan baseball hat with souvenir pins, some sort of Scotland T-shirt, shorts, and a loud, nasal voice asking where the "Bathroom" is! (Anyone remember Trainspotting?)
When I lived in Ireland I used to dread the tourist season. Throngs of old, well-off North Americans would comb the countryside in search of leprechauns, shillelaghs, and little stuffed donkeys! All the while, asking every local to repeat him- or herself! "I just can't understand a word you're saying!" I used to always feel mildly embarrassed but you can't blame them - blame the media!

Is mise le meas,

Seán Liosliath Ó hAirt

**Rev. Christopher** · 21st October 06, 08:28 PM

Sadly, not many kilts worn in Scotland excpet maybe a few of the traditionalists in the small town pubs. A MacDonald tartan in Campbell country should be fine. It's when I wear my MacFarlane tartan in the land of the Colquhoun's {Thogail nam bo theid sinn" (to Lifting the cattle we shall go} that I get a little nervous...

Try to get over to the Isle of Skye, many kilts there and of course the Talisker Distillery for a wee dram.

Enjoy the trip......

Rev. Christopher

**David Dalglish** · 22nd October 06, 12:18 AM

Wear your Black Watch, it will be no problem

**Freelander Sporrano** · 22nd October 06, 02:23 AM

I echo Davids thoughts on this one. I doubt if you´ll get a coment

**mono** · 22nd October 06, 02:36 AM

I am sure that your BW will be fine,perhaps the black hooded-sweatshirt would be a good combination? Have a great time,but dont expect to see many native-scots in kilts,mono.

**cessna152towser** · 22nd October 06, 02:43 AM

No problem with wearing a Black Watch kilt in Scotland. Black Watch was the first kilt I ever owned, and I'm now on to my third one.

**Tartan Hiker** · 22nd October 06, 08:25 AM

Originally Posted by Bob C.

A Campbell tartan in MacDonald land?

It was nice knowin' ye, laddie. ;)

No way. Bob...the BW will stay in the suitcase while I'm in Invergarry! I'll be flying the MacDonald kilt while there. The BW will see duty in Edinburgh, possibly in Aberdeen.

Everyone else, thanks for the input!

Bill