What flashes in your mind whenever you hear “Scotland?” A land of different landscapes from waters to mountains or stunning views of natural beauty.
The eye-catching scenes make Scotland the centre of attention for people worldwide. In Scotland, you have thousands of spots for outdoor activities, wearing kilts, the traditional outfit. We compiled a list of Scottish outdoor activities for kilt-wearing adventurers and will discuss them here.
But before we explore these activities, look at landscape variations in Scotland and the importance of kilts.
The Landscapes Of Scotland
Before diving into the world of Scottish outdoor activities for kilt-wearing adventurers, let us observe the different landscapes of Scotland. It will help you decide what to do next. Scotland is one of the lucky countries with diverse landscapes. You will find every type of topography here, from breathtaking mountains to waterfalls.
Moreover, Scotland has glens in its lap. In short, there aren’t any murals that you cannot find there. The vibrant environment attracts 3-4 million visitors each year because of thousands of resources available for outdoor activities. This is a bit about the landscapes of Scotland; let us move to the next point, “Kilts and their significance.”
Kilts And Their Importance In Outdoor Activities
Kilts are part of traditional outfits in Scotland. Not only the attire’s part, they also represent history. They were introduced 4 centuries ago and adopted various forms with time. Initially, it was made with tartan wool and then transformed into the Great Kilt. This specific shape was also used as a cloak, blanket, and shelter.
The kilts we know today have revolutionized and are available in multiple types. Scots still adore kilts and wear them as a sign of respect and honour. The current shapes of traditional outfits have become an everyday use. People with a significant historical orientation wear them during outdoor activities and special occasions. Specific events are understandable, but why outdoor activities?
Some kilts, like Utility Kilts, are designed for people who play games or remain busy in outdoor activities. The primary purpose of kilts is to provide comfort and ease. Besides, they provide versatility, freedom of movement, pockets, and, most importantly, cultural expression.
Outdoor Activities In Scotland
Is the importance of kilts in outdoor activities clear? Look at the different rustic activities in Scotland now. The list of these activities is vibrant, like the landscapes of Scotland. Some common among them are hiking, cycling, rock climbing, mountaineering, etc. A positive aspect of these ventures is wearing kilts. So, move ahead and see how wearing kilts makes these adventures fun.
Cycling Or Cyclocross
Cycling and cyclocross are two different activities. Cycling is an outing on your bicycle with freedom of time. Scotland has different treks that allow you to enjoy beautiful bike views. On the other hand, cyclocross is a race that usually takes place in winter and autumn.
A common aspect of both concepts is that you often sweat and need comfort and freedom of movement. Nonetheless, no outfit is better than a kilt. In cyclocross, you also run with your bicycle on the shoulder, which makes unrestricted movement a basic need. So, the importance of kilts must be considered in such an adventure.
Walking or Running
Running is an essential part of Highland games. On average days, people also enjoy walking and running as outdoor activities. Kilts are a priority to wear during these activities. People prefer kilts for heritage admiration. However, comfort and flexible movements are also factors that make people choose kilts while having adventures.
Skateboarding
You must have seen people board skating in the streets, performing different tricks. They enjoy doing so. Walking on Scotland’s roads or streets, you see youngsters wearing kilts and flying their boards. These scenes are not usual in our daily routine but happen occasionally. However, they explain that kilts can be worn in skateboarding.
Hiking
Let’s move on from biking and skateboarding and explore other outdoor activities, including hiking. The Scottish Highlands, Central Lowlands, and Southern Uplands are the major mountain ranges in Scotland. You might be surprised that mountains cover 60% of the country’s area. This figure might help you understand the value of hiking there.
Moreover, hiking is a favourite activity of the people residing there or the tourists. Hiking also requires loose clothing; luckily, kilts have these qualities. The weather there changes unexpectedly, so people prefer to hike on extremely sunny days.
Rock Climbing
Some people need clarification on rock climbing and hiking. First, let us be clear that they are different. Hiking involves climbing mountains in secure ways, aiming for beautiful sights and night stays. It also might involve camping.
Conversely, you need some particular instrument for rock climbing. It is like reaching a summit with hard work. It is not a daily routine adventure anywhere, not even in Scotland. People still enjoy mountaineering. During this adventure, they cannot afford to wear the heavy, so kilts are their top priority.
Sailing
Let’s talk about boating or sailing in Scotland now! Scotland is home to 30,000 freshwater lochs. It makes realizing the importance of sailing more simple. On the other hand, the number of docks increases with time. It helps you understand that sailing is one of the best ways for tourists and locals to have fun.
Look at the other side of the coin now: why and how kilt-wearers have fun in this adventure. Nowadays, waterproof kilts make things much easier. The kilt’s light weight combined with flexible movements helps to reach the victorious moment.
Fishing
Last but not least, fishing is a well-liked hobby of Scots. Many people come to fish on the beacon of water every day. Fishing rods have various parts, and the storage spaces available in kilts make them suitable for fishing. Other than storage, comfort and cultural aspects also make them valuable.
Remember, Scotland has different fishing seasons. The most suitable time for freshwater fishing is during April or from September to the end of the season. Have a look at fishing seasons:
Annan – 25th Feb – 15th Nov
Dee – 1st Feb – 30th Sept
Nith – 25th Feb – 31st Nov
Spey – 11th Feb – 30th Sept
Tay – 15th Jan – 15th Oct
Teith – 1st Feb – 31st Oct
Tweed – 1st Feb – 30th Nov
Things To Consider Before Wearing Kilts For Outdoor Activities!
A few things to consider before the next adventure—first, the type of activity matters. Let’s explain a waterproof kilt while sailing and a warm one during winter activities. Pay attention to the comfort and durability of kilts.
Moreover, the kilt must be flexible and offer good ventilation. Another factor that sets them apart and you cannot afford to oversee is customisation. Mostly, the kilts do not deal with buttons or zips that help you wear and take them off quickly. This feature is helpful in every activity, from hiking to climbing, sailing to cycling.
Conclusion
The list of Scottish outdoor activities is vast. We discussed some of them here. All of these adventures aim to have moments of fun and excitement. Kilts help to make these moments memorable. Comfort is the key to success in any outdoor activity, and kilts will perform throughout the adventure. The next time you plan some outdoor activities, consider the given factors for your attire, which must be according to the weather. It must have storage space to keep the essentials within your approach. Sports and Activities Suitable for Kilts
