Please, don’t think I’m trying to be rude or offend somebody. But I simply must comment on this.

Reading the thread I have got the impression that the kilt should better not be worn south of the Scottish border, that the kilt is still primarily for highlanders, and that these are in general, compared to lowlanders and Englishmen, not very well-off. This combined with the fact that a kilt “must” be made of 8 yards of new wool and sewn by hand by skilled and experienced kilt makers who are living in Scotland makes the possession of a kilt out of reach for most people. And concerning those who can, it should obviously be considered extravagant to own more than one kilt and out of place should they sometimes get the idea of using it as daily attire.

Tell me, please, if I have misunderstood something. I kind of hope I have.

Considering, the Scottish population is no more than 5 million people, and half of them are women, and 30% could be excluded due to age (below 20 and above 80 years old) and only 25% are highlanders it leaves us with hardly more than 400.000 as a gross potential. Some of these men already own a kilt, and since the kilt should last for a lifetime and even beyond, they are per definition not in the market for a new kilt. The rest consists of men having probably lived well without a kilt, or they couldn’t possible afford to buy one.

My conclusion is that the Scottish kilt market, based upon above conditions, is tiny. It must be. Therefore, had it not been for Americans and Canadians and Australians and some Europeans (including Englishmen) and some of them without a Scottish heritage AND the availability of affordable kilts, offered by some kilt shops the kilt should have been stone dead long time ago.

I’m not Scottish, I have no Scottish heritage. But I like kilts. And I like wearing them. I find them beautiful with all their colors and comfortable and versatile. I admit I’m extravagant. I own several kilts, and I do wear them as often as I can. I’m a heavy user, like many kilt wearers living outside of Scotland.

My kilts won’t last a lifetime, hopefully not, because it should have consequences for me. I like buying new ones in various tartans. I have “free” tartans, but I also have clan tartans.

And I don’t feel the slightest guilty wearing them. How could a “monopoly” be maintained and justified if the “owner” doesn’t use it?

My advice: Buy and wear proudly a kilt in any tartan you like. Do it everywhere and whenever you feel like it, provided possible and appropriate.

Greg - kilted Dane