Highlanders Discuss Highland Attire

[Redshank]

How would a Canadian or American tourist be viewed by locals if he were to dress in an 8-yard wool clan tartan kilt, tweed jacket and otherwise Jock-like day attire for his trip in Scotland?

What if the tartan was Xmarks?

Would the opinion of the locals be different in Aberdeen than in Edinburgh?

Does it matter whether the tourist is of Scottish descent? Does it matter if he is of Highland descent?

Of course, I recognise that I am requesting general opinions. I would hope that the gentlemen who reply will give their personal view of the tourist as well as the opinion they think others would have.

I think Jock will agree with me when I say as long as it's worn respectfully then not an eyelid would be battered.
Xmarks own Mael Colium can answer this question from a visitors point of view, only last year he spent a few weeks travelling around the highlands on buses, trains and on foot in the major cities whilst wearing a kilt, I don't think he ever had any unpleasant comments made, except by me, and those where in said in good spirits.
As far as I am concerned I like to see people wearing the kilt, visitors or not, just leave the ghillie brogues, white hose and pc at home when you come.
Does it matter if the wearer is of Scots descent, only to the visitor I would guess, if he feels he is being pretentious then that will reflect in the way he carries and conducts himself, I have never questioned a kilt wear about his lineage, and I get to meet a few over the course of the tourist season, those that tell me they have a kilt but are not wearing it get a jovial rebuke from me, so read into that what you will, if you have a kilt and your coming to the highlands, wear it, and wear it proudly and well, as for the tartan, I doubt anyone will know, if they ask, tell them all about it.

[Jock Scot]

I think Jock will agree with me when I say as long as it's worn respectfully then not an eyelid would be battered.
Xmarks own Mael Colium can answer this question from a visitors point of view, only last year he spent a few weeks travelling around the highlands on buses, trains and on foot in the major cities whilst wearing a kilt, I don't think he ever had any unpleasant comments made, except by me, and those where in said in good spirits.
As far as I am concerned I like to see people wearing the kilt, visitors or not, just leave the ghillie brogues, white hose and pc at home when you come.
Does it matter if the wearer is of Scots descent, only to the visitor I would guess, if he feels he is being pretentious then that will reflect in the way he carries and conducts himself, I have never questioned a kilt wear about his lineage, and I get to meet a few over the course of the tourist season, those that tell me they have a kilt but are not wearing it get a jovial rebuke from me, so read into that what you will, if you have a kilt and your coming to the highlands, wear it, and wear it proudly and well, as for the tartan, I doubt anyone will know, if they ask, tell them all about it.

I cannot add to that.

[Mael Coluim]

I think Jock will agree with me when I say as long as it's worn respectfully then not an eyelid would be battered.
Xmarks own Mael Colium can answer this question from a visitors point of view, only last year he spent a few weeks travelling around the highlands on buses, trains and on foot in the major cities whilst wearing a kilt, I don't think he ever had any unpleasant comments made, except by me, and those where in said in good spirits.

During my 12 days in Scotland not a discouraging word was ‘heard’! Redshank’s good spirited comment was that my Malcolm tank (eight yard Scottish made) was the only real kilt that I had worn. (Chris wasn’t kidding, BTW!) Here’s the thread on my Kilted Holiday.

[ThistleDown]

I think Jock will agree with me when I say as long as it's worn respectfully then not an eyelid would be battered.
Xmarks own Mael Colium can answer this question from a visitors point of view, only last year he spent a few weeks travelling around the highlands on buses, trains and on foot in the major cities whilst wearing a kilt, I don't think he ever had any unpleasant comments made, except by me, and those where in said in good spirits.
As far as I am concerned I like to see people wearing the kilt, visitors or not, just leave the ghillie brogues, white hose and pc at home when you come.
Does it matter if the wearer is of Scots descent, only to the visitor I would guess, if he feels he is being pretentious then that will reflect in the way he carries and conducts himself, I have never questioned a kilt wear about his lineage, and I get to meet a few over the course of the tourist season, those that tell me they have a kilt but are not wearing it get a jovial rebuke from me, so read into that what you will, if you have a kilt and your coming to the highlands, wear it, and wear it proudly and well, as for the tartan, I doubt anyone will know, if they ask, tell them all about it.

Yes, I agree, too. And on a day during your visit when you are uncomfortable putting your kilt on for the day, leave it behind and wear your jeans instead. All will be well and we will love you even the more when you don it with greater assurance tomorrow.