American tourists in Scotland

[Zardoz]

I promise if I visit Scotland I will wear my cowboy boots, hat and big @ss belt buckle! No chaps or spurs though, those are just for ridin'.

[Jock Scot]

I promise if I visit Scotland I will wear my cowboy boots, hat and big @ss belt buckle! No chaps or spurs though, those are just for ridin'.

Joking apart, it has been known!

[Frank McGrath]

Thanks to all who have responded to my question.

[MacLowlife]

Though he is in danger of having quotes attributed to him that he never even thought ( like Yogi Berra and Groucho) I have read that Ambrose Bierce ( now dead for nearly 100 years) said that the kilt was a garment sometimes worn by Scotsmen in America and by Americans in Scotland.

[Noel Christian Riddell]

I guess I'm a staunch individualist in many ways -though I cannot help but roll my eyes at certain fashions (hip hop clothing makes me throw up in my mouth a bit, the local farmboy redneck 'uniform' frustrates me, neck tattoos? why not just wear a sandwich board which says TRASH?).

Somehow the kilt goes way deeper than fashion or fad. It's a family link. Clan or tribe -you can be whoever an whatever you want to be and yet you're always welcome as part of a large extended family.

But going back to the original question of how are kilted visitors viewed IN SCOTLAND, one must remember where the majority of the world's kiltmakers are located.
And the kilt is not like a piece of Waterford crystal or some Hopi pottery, you can put it on and wear it!

In Scotland or any other place, you're going to stand out in a kilt. Just be ready to back up your choice of clothing by either stating (1.) your clan affiliation or (2.) "I just like it and I don't care what anyone thinks!".

When I was in Scotland I only saw a few old men, a sports teams, pipers, and kiltmakers wearing kilts -and I was in numerous cities and towns. Next time I visit my family's home country I will definitely take my kilt -but I'll be in jeans most of the time (just like at home).

[Tattoo Bradley]

neck tattoos? why not just wear a sandwich board which says TRASH?).

Have you any idea how extremely derogatory and inflammatory this statement is? I realize you're new here. But, it is NEVER a good idea to enter a place you are not completely familiar with and make such an (even if not directly aimed at anyone in particular) attack.

As can clearly be assumed by my offense at your statement I have "neck tattoos." In fact 100% of the surface area of my neck (and underside of my chin, arms, hands, and fingers even) is covered in tattoos. I happen to like tattoos. So my interests and personal choices immediately identify me as trash?

I am completely aware of this all too common and unfortunate perception. As a result I am also completely aware of what an unfair and far too often inaccurate perception this is. My tattoos were not done on a whim and I spent many years of contemplation before attaining my first tattoo, let alone a tattoo on my neck.

I am educated. I am a US Army and US Air Force veteran. I am a laboratory manager with patents pending for research in my field. I collect a handsome salary twice a month that pays for my two vehicles and brick home in the "nice part of town." My neighbors stop and chat while I mow the lawn at said home. Their children call me Mr. Henderson and sell me Girl Scout Cookies.

Perhaps your and my definitions of trash differ. Regardless, I strongly suggest you feel the waters before doing a canon-ball into a generally civil pool of gentlemen.

[BoldHighlander]

Have you any idea how extremely derogatory and inflammatory this statement is?

Perhaps your and my definitions of trash differ. Regardless, I strongly suggest you feel the waters before doing a canon-ball into a generally civil pool of gentlemen.

I feel you compadre.... although I haven't any neck bombs (sleeved yes), I too have been "categorized" by appearance without the person getting to know me first (something I've been dealing with since highschool 20+ yrs ago).

It does get rather old & tiring

[escherblacksmith]

Regardless, I strongly suggest you feel the waters before doing a canon-ball [sic] into a generally civil pool of gentlemen.

Well said! And, as a note, I will be stealing this line for other places.

[GG]

American tourists in Scotland; well I guess it comprises Europeans living outside Scotland, too.

It isn’t the first time this issue has come up. And every time I’m sitting back with a feeling that Scotland, the land of the kilts might very well be the most kilt unfriendly country of all.

I have been to Scotland once. And I very much liked the country and its most beautiful landscapes. But that was before I started wearing kilts. My interest for kilts was born on that visit, actually.

My wife and I have several times talked about going back. But I must admit that after what is said here by Scotsmen I’m very much in doubt.

I can wear my kilts without problems in Denmark, where I live, and in Sweden, Germany, The Netherlands, Switzerland, Italy and Spain. So why not go to these places where the kilt is almost unknown but accepted, rather than to Scotland, where it is known, but only accepted to be worn by Scots and at very, very rare occasions.

And if a kilt at all, then by all means an eight yard tartan wool kilt, pleated to the stripe – probably sewn by Scottish hands.

I mean, if a modern kilt is not recognized by the Scots as a kilt, what can they have against it more than in every other place on the world? Then it must be just an odd garment, and not anything that could be harming THEIR national feeling, or?

Do I exaggerate? Or did I misunderstand something? I really hope I do and did.

Until further my spring holidays shall be spent in Rome, I think – kilted when I feel like it and without the need for a special occasion.

Greg

[Noel Christian Riddell]

Have you any idea how extremely derogatory and inflammatory this statement is? I realize you're new here. Perhaps your and my definitions of trash differ. Regardless, I strongly suggest you feel the waters before doing a canon-ball into a generally civil pool of gentlemen.

Ah, sometimes I type too fast. No offense intended, of course. I've got no truck with tattoos as a rule (I'd have to abandon most of my family and friends if that were so).

Perhaps my statement should have specified how neck tattoos in particular are viewed where I live.

I humbly apologize.