kilts in Edinburgh

[McClef]

I have had arguments with Edinburgh residents about the frequency of kilt wearing in Edinburgh. They point to weddings, sporting occasions etc. (which are not in dispute) and of course to Festival time which Alex also mentions.

But when I ask how many they see in an ordinary weekday situation they seem to think that seeing two or three (out of countless numbers of passers by) is somehow an acceptable situation.

Of course this problem is not unique to Edinburgh by any means but seems more acute there given its position as a major tourist destination and its high proportion of kilt and tartan related shops. A conflict of image and reality results and kilted visitors such as myself become centres of photographic interest when they normally wouldn't be!

[GMan]

Interesting thread we have on many levels going here. One thing I have always noticed is that Kilt wearing anywhere is patchy in the Celtic world even outside of those areas. Yet, we continue to stay Kilted.

Scottish Dancing has always intrigued me, and with all of you who do participate in it are inspiring me to look into doing it for myself.

I am also glad that Robin posted the weaving pictures. It is just wonderful to see how Kilts are made from start to finish.

[Martin S]

All the pics I had seen make these kilts look really super.
Perhaps those I saw last week had been in shop windows too long?
They were dull. As one of the vendors remarked "the tartan reminds me of ther mists in the Highlands..."

No other kilts on the plane Newcastle-Stansted this week!

Martin

[Nervous Jock]

But when I ask how many they see in an ordinary weekday situation they seem to think that seeing two or three (out of countless numbers of passers by) is somehow an acceptable situation.

Are you implying its unacceptable??

[McClef]

Are you implying its unacceptable??

That depends on how you view the word I suppose. It's certainly sad and regrettable.

The arguments I was referring to were with people who were of the opinion that seeing two or three kilts being worn on the streets of Edinburgh on a weekday was somehow a rating of success. Sure you can see loads of kilts - in shop windows, but that does not transcribe the way seeing jeans or suits in a shop window does as you will see loads of those on the streets.

As a percentage therefore it shows a that there is major room for improvement.

[Nervous Jock]

That depends on how you view the word I suppose. It's certainly sad and regrettable.

The arguments I was referring to were with people who were of the opinion that seeing two or three kilts being worn on the streets of Edinburgh on a weekday was somehow a rating of success. Sure you can see loads of kilts - in shop windows, but that does not transcribe the way seeing jeans or suits in a shop window does as you will see loads of those on the streets.

As a percentage therefore it shows a that there is major room for improvement.

I think people should just wear what they want to wear. I genuinely believe the vast majority of folk in Edinburgh see wearing the Kilt as something for a special occassion not everyday particularly as general acceptance of non tartan kilts is some way off. For example looking at the Utility kilts described on this forum I can't think of ever seeing one of these worn in Scotland. Certainly at Rugby internationals, when you would think this is the ideal opportunity to wear something like this.

While I wear a kilt regularly I would never consider wearing it to work unless it was a specific event where it had been requested.


As such I'm not sure the term "Room for improvement" applies here.

[McClef]

I think people should just wear what they want to wear. I genuinely believe the vast majority of folk in Edinburgh see wearing the Kilt as something for a special occassion not everyday particularly as general acceptance of non tartan kilts is some way off. For example looking at the Utility kilts described on this forum I can't think of ever seeing one of these worn in Scotland. Certainly at Rugby internationals, when you would think this is the ideal opportunity to wear something like this.

While I wear a kilt regularly I would never consider wearing it to work unless it was a specific event where it had been requested.


As such I'm not sure the term "Room for improvement" applies here.

Well, Rugby Internationals are certainly one of those exceptions and the "Tartan Army" are precisely that - wearers of tartan kilts.

It's the "special occasion" mentality which needs to be improved. Of course people should be allowed to wear what they want, and of course during the week many will be prevented from wearing what they would really like to wear because of work considerations.

But not everyone you see on the streets on a weekday is necessarily working and these have an opportunity to choose what they wear. Giving their kilts at least an occasional outing outside of special occasions would really help to raise the profile of kilts as well as the numbers.

Tourists have had their expectations raised by all the travel literature of kilts galore. They want to go home with photos of guys in kilts to show their friends and relatives who will of course ask why there are no such photos.

To illustrate - I have been to Canada twice and have been asked where the photos of the Mounties are on my return. I had to confess it's because I didn't see any. Well I did but in ordinary police uniforms which means that the colour and symbol was absent.

Clearly you can't expect ordinary Canadian citizens to make up for this shortfall by donning the Mountie uniform themselves. But I would contend that a little more kilt wearing in Edinburgh would help to make up the shortfall that you find. It's a sad reflection that when you do see someone wearing a kilt in weekaday Edinburgh it's likely to be a visitor.

And as I said before it's not just Edinburgh, the special occasions mentality is nationwide. It just seems more acute in Edinburgh because of its status as the capital city and biggest tourist destination in Scotland.

[Hamish]

Well, Rugby Internationals are certainly one of those exceptions and the "Tartan Army" are precisely that - wearers of tartan kilts.

It's the "special occasion" mentality which needs to be improved. Of course people should be allowed to wear what they want, and of course during the week many will be prevented from wearing what they would really like to wear because of work considerations.

But not everyone you see on the streets on a weekday is necessarily working and these have an opportunity to choose what they wear. Giving their kilts at least an occasional outing outside of special occasions would really help to raise the profile of kilts as well as the numbers.

Tourists have had their expectations raised by all the travel literature of kilts galore. They want to go home with photos of guys in kilts to show their friends and relatives who will of course ask why there are no such photos.

To illustrate - I have been to Canada twice and have been asked where the photos of the Mounties are on my return. I had to confess it's because I didn't see any. Well I did but in ordinary police uniforms which means that the colour and symbol was absent.

Clearly you can't expect ordinary Canadian citizens to make up for this shortfall by donning the Mountie uniform themselves. But I would contend that a little more kilt wearing in Edinburgh would help to make up the shortfall that you find. It's a sad reflection that when you do see someone wearing a kilt in weekaday Edinburgh it's likely to be a visitor.

And as I said before it's not just Edinburgh, the special occasions mentality is nationwide. It just seems more acute in Edinburgh because of its status as the capital city and biggest tourist destination in Scotland.

Hear! Hear! Trefor. Very well stated.

As a kilt wearer of over 57 years standing and a full-time kilt wearer for the past 8 years, I have frequently worn Utilikilts (and had them admired) in Edinburgh and other parts of Scotland. Admittedly, I opt for tartan more often than not nowadays, and regret so much that so few kilts are seen as everyday wear - especially in the capital.

Visitors want, and expect, to see this everyday garment as they travel around, which is evidenced by the number of occasions I have been, and am, asked to pose for their cameras! Had I charged £1 everytime I have been snapped, I am sure I could have paid for one, maybe two, new kilts by now!

[Phil]

I have had arguments with Edinburgh residents about the frequency of kilt wearing in Edinburgh. They point to weddings, sporting occasions etc. (which are not in dispute) and of course to Festival time which Alex also mentions.

But when I ask how many they see in an ordinary weekday situation they seem to think that seeing two or three (out of countless numbers of passers by) is somehow an acceptable situation.

Of course this problem is not unique to Edinburgh by any means but seems more acute there given its position as a major tourist destination and its high proportion of kilt and tartan related shops. A conflict of image and reality results and kilted visitors such as myself become centres of photographic interest when they normally wouldn't be!

Well this is one Edinburgh resident who won't get into an argument with you. Sadly though kilt-wearing in Scotland is very much reserved for special occasions, probably because so few people actually own kilts here and will hire them for a wedding etc.. If you do see someone about Edinburgh in a kilt then it is more than likely he works in tourism or a highlandwear shop. The tourist board should pay students and unemployed people to walk about in kilts so the tourists will get their money's worth.

[Nervous Jock]

Well this is one Edinburgh resident who won't get into an argument with you. Sadly though kilt-wearing in Scotland is very much reserved for special occasions, probably because so few people actually own kilts here and will hire them for a wedding etc.. If you do see someone about Edinburgh in a kilt then it is more than likely he works in tourism or a highlandwear shop. The tourist board should pay students and unemployed people to walk about in kilts so the tourists will get their money's worth.

although its good that so many young people seem to be getting kilts, if not the whole rig, for their 18th or 21st birthday.