Would you wear a casual kilt to Scottish Games?

**Casey** · 11th March 05, 07:33 AM

I went to my first highland games last year. I wore my Maple Leaf tartan, 4 yd Bearkilt. I had on a black t-shirt and socks, with sgain dubh, and boots. I must say I was the only one with that tartan and I received, what I interpreted as, a lot of positive looks.

**Alan H** · 11th March 05, 11:31 AM

It's been years since I went to Highland Games so I'm looking forward to attending a couple this summer. However, I do make it to a fair number of Celtic music fairs, and a couple of Ren Faires.

Casual kilts are all over the place at both of these types of events here in California. I first came across the Utilikilt booth, and first saw them at the Sonora Celtic Faire (and International Jousting Championships, no less) last September. Seeing the fiddler for "Tempest" on stage in a black Utilikilt while a number of people in the audience danced in them was what got me thinking "I like that" and here I am.

So out here, anyway, in the music faires and so on, a casual kilt is entirely fine. A well-done Utilikilt or Freedom kilt or Pittsburgh kilts is VASTLY preferable to say, that picture that Highlandtide took of the two guys at a fair with tablecloths wrapped around themselves.

**kiltie as charged** · 13th March 05, 12:24 AM

Been away for a few days, looks like I missed a lot!
I have been to the Highland Games in both Maxville, ON and also in
Pierfont,Qc. Both in Canada.I have found that in either place kilts are very much accepted no matter if its a 8yd tank or a 4yd casual.

The folks up there only ask what tartan you are wearing.And are glad that you are wearing a kilt!

It seems to me that people in Canada are more accepting to kilt wearing
than here in the U.S.

In fact one of the vendors last year in Maxville were none other than UK
I'm not sure but I think that they had some a pretty good profit to boot.
Because there were a lot of younger guys wearing them!

**Thistle Stop** · 13th March 05, 09:29 AM

Originally Posted by Erudite

I think that taking them to the scottish games in fair hill MD, where they could see many others in kilts would only reinforce their already positive attitude.

Come to our Frederick (MD) Celtic Festival & Highland Games, too! It's Saturday, 14th May, at the Urbana MD Fire Dept. Grounds, on Rte 355, just off I-270 (from the I-270 exit for Urbana, go north [left] on 355 -- it's on the left side, next to the elementary school). It's about 50 miles south of Gettysburg, for you Pennsylvanians -- take US 15 south to I-270. Web site: http://www.sasmm.com/celtic_festival.htm . We'll be there!

Slainte mhath!

**Riverkilt** · 13th March 05, 10:55 AM

My choice, first chance I had, was to wear my "gang colors" - my clan tartan tank to a Highland games. Will probably be that way for the next one too. Not often I get the chance to wear the tank where most folks "get it." Don't really wanna give it day to day wear and tear here in the dirt, sand, and the dust of the canyonlands.

Utilikilt had a booth at the Arizona Highland games last month and they were doing a land office business. There were lots of non-traditional UKs about and as others have pointed out they looked a LOT better than some of the efforts...one guy wearing a woman's tartan dress down to his ankles...

Ron

**erudite** · 13th March 05, 11:01 AM

Originally Posted by Riverkilt

one guy wearing a woman's tartan dress down to his ankles...

Ron

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
That's abhorrant, and unsettles my stomach.

Maybe in the past he got kilt checked one too many times

**Blu (Ontario)** · 13th March 05, 12:35 PM

Originally Posted by Riverkilt

... There were lots of non-traditional UKs about and as others have pointed out they looked a LOT better than some of the efforts...one guy wearing a woman's tartan dress down to his ankles... Ron

I too have seen at different events guys in both very long and very short numbers. I got to thinking about it afterwards... it may have been intentional. There are some fellas around that quite like that sort of thing.

**Mike n NC** · 13th March 05, 06:22 PM

Not only would but fully intend to when I get to the Grandfather Mountain games this summer.

I grew up in them mountains and I knwo it can get some kinda hot despite the altitude. I figure a 4 yard PV or even a canvas will wear a whole lot better than my tanks.

Mike

**Donnie** · 14th March 05, 05:42 AM

By all means wear a casual kilt. They are everywhere at highland games. I have worn my Amerikilt several times to games and gotten nothing but good coments. Carry buisness cards from the kilt company though, lots of "where can I get one of those" questions. I do prefer my Bearkilt or my USA kilt now though!

**chacbalam** · 11th April 05, 09:59 PM

I am in the same boat. In a couple of weeks I will be attending my first highland games in Sacramento, California.

I am torn over wearing my traditional Gordon tank or one of my utilikilts (see gallery). I am sure that my utlikilt would be more comfortable and certianly almost impossible to ruin. My Gordon on the other hand honors my heritage, as well as being hot, heavy, and very expensive.