When and Where Should You Wear the Kilt in Scotland? 

When I was a tourist in Scotland, I wore the kilt three time (btw I brought two with me). But I choose my places carefully. Once at a Scottish show for tourists, another at the Highland folklife center, lastly at a Jacobite dinner. I was well received and had fun doing it.

Should have him back! I enjoyed his interview!

I would think it would only be an issue, if you make it an issue. Always remember the K&C clan motto, "Don't be a jerk". It is no different than a Scot wearing a cowboy hat and/or cowboy boots while visiting Texas. It's an endearing nod to the culture.

Just make sure it's worn and fits correctly so it looks good. You'll see more people wearing them at the tattoo but not so much in the towns etc. The only folk I see in Edinburgh and Glasgow wearing kilts tend to be pipers busking.

It's always amazing how people are so concerned about What others will think when it comes to wearing a kilt.

i just got the casual kilt in the mail, wow. it is crazy good. looks super sharp.

I recently returned from a trip to Scotland where I did wear my kilt. I wore it several times and all day while touring Edinburgh. People love it, both tourists and locals. At Edinburgh castle I am in many tourist photos. The one thing that happened, that struck me as funny, we were walking through a construction zone that had both streams of traffic concentrated in a very narrow area. I lady passing said "I'll bet yer wearing pants!" In a broad Scottish accent. I was, of course, because I am not going to sit my ass on my dry-clean only kilt. I felt better about my choice when I was in a Kilt makers shop where there was a sign that said "Underwear must be worn with all hired kilts." At no time did I feel out of place or made to feel like a dumb tourist. Just the opposite. Most of the tour guides were wearing kilts and I was often mistaken for one of those. My advice is to wear your kilt and play your pipes. Magical things will happen.

I went to the commonwealth games in Glasgow ten years ago and wore my kilt. I was born in England and have an English accent but my father was Scottish and brought me up to be proud of my heritage. Everyone was very friendly and I got a couple of compliments.

Climbing Ben Nevis in my army surplus Cameron kilt, with a nice sporran and plain hose, was a great feeling! And I wasn't the only kiltie on the ben that day either.

I'm German, but I've always felt a deep connection to Scotland ever since I've been there for the first time. Coming back in July to do the West Highland Way and I'm very seriously thinking about getting a kilt when I'm back in Edinburgh afterwards. Great to get some reassurance.

I wore my kilt twice when part of my family and I went to Scotland a few weeks ago. Once to Culloden, once to the Old Castle Lachlan, where my family originates from. And we kinda did a loop: Edinburgh, Inverness, Skye, Oban, as the big hubs that we toured from.

Yeah Shaun! When you go back start a movement to bring back the kilt as the norm.

Do you think you won't look like a tourist wearing your usual jeans and a t-shirt? And cowboy boots?

Just come back from doing 2 week trip. Glasgow, Oban, Dornie, Skye, Lewis, Inverness, Edinburgh and lastly Arkleton. Wish I had a kilt.

Hey I ditched my goth rocker image of my youth,now occasionally wear a jacket with a knit sweater & a kilt,I think it makes me more mature ,manly& distinguished...

The Shetlands are nice, too - at least in July!

Wear the kilt in Scotland where and when you want, such as in New Zealand or Australia or America. It's that simple.

A few years ago, I went to Dunoon, Scotland to visit relatives. I didn't even pack any trousers, just my kilts which were all in our Clan tartan (Clan Lamont). The only even mildly negative comment was one day when I wore my Clan Lamont utlikilt and my cousin wondered what the heck I was wearing. I explained it was an American variant on the kilt and that apparently was an acceptable answer for her.

Good to know.

Back in the 70s, wearing a kilt would get you beaten up in Glasgow. Times have changed.

I am a citizen of the USA, born in Texas of Scottish ancestry. I am not particularly cranked up about my heritage. I know a bit about my family history but we are all a pretty boring lot. I am coming to Scotland with my sister this summer and she would like for me to bring my pipes and my kilt. I just don't want to feel weird. By the way I am a grade four piper and play in a police service band. I am not bad by Texas standards but probably a horror show in Scotland. Things I want to do in Scotland: Try a haggis. You can only get a canned haggis in the states and I didn't want to have the experienced ruined by a tinned meat. Tour a distillery (goes without saying.) Touch a little history. See some ancient standing stones, see a cairn. See a loch or visit a castle. I am not picky.

If american tourists wear kilts in ireland they need a think skin they will be mocked mercilessly but they don't mean anything by it and even if you don't wear a kilt the same applies thats just irish and indeed british humour.Thats of course only when you speak you will be seen as scottish over for the weekend at a football ,rugby or stag party we won't see it as honouring our culture as in scotland because we don't identify with kilts the same with lederhosen,but i mean thats not a bad thing either its just what it is.

So long as you wear it properly, wear it anywhere, anytime.

The tartan that's Shaun wearing look like "Thai northeastern sarong" so much.

i’m from Edinburgh, naebody cares! the worst insult is having an ill fitting kilt, wearing it wrong will roll eyes, but that’s it.. embrace you scottish routes 👌🏻

All in favor of wearing the kilt regularly as just "normal" clothing! It shouldn't be something just done self-consciously in formal settings. Or seen as a costume. Give the kilt back to the common people!

There is never any reason not to wear a kilt. I worde a kilt on most of our evening dinners. And if Scots would like to show they ancestry and reputation they should wear it every day.At least drews.

How do you decide which tartan to wear, if you don't naturally have a heritage to one? Are you likely to be called out by locals who will think you are claiming to be part of their clan?

This reminds me of snl 'tourist' with the George w bush sketch

I wonder how many people from USA Kilts have started following SaunVlog and vice versa? How many followers did you have overlap prior to your collaboration?

I have not been to Scotland. My wife and I want to do a 'scotch crawl' around the country. As I'm looking at picutues around the areas, I see that the vast majority of people are wearing blue jeans.

I'd add: if you can play an instrument, always go on a train with an instrument. That way you'll almost certainly have to play to the whole carriage, once you get taking to anyone. That's always a good ice-breaker.

does same hold true for utility kilts?

And if you're unsure what tartan, just choose a universal one, Royal Stuart, Black Watch, dress Gordon etc....anyone can wear these with complete confidence, men and women.

Think of it like you're probably one of the few in your area that wears it anyway, and it's 'weird' in your area. But valid points of not being a dumbass while wearing one, it should be just fine

How are alternative-kilts viewed in Scotland? Like the American utility kilt that has cargo pockets on the sides. Is this okay or looked on as Silly or "stupid American"?

Never.

My question is. What would be an appropriate response if a pretty lass asks me 'whats underneath the kilt?' If I were wearing one.