"I go into hospital today in the hope that my blood count and platelets are good enough and my body is strong enough to have my chemo continued for the third cancer they found during my Christmas month in the hospital. Naturally, as my thoughts centred upon body strength (in which I know that mental and psychological are as important as physical), I came across a photo of these highland laddies strutting their stuff with their six pack stomachs on a Saturday night out in Glasgow.
My Facebook friend, Sally Codman recently indicated that I wouldn't put up a half naked picture of a man as quickly as I would a woman. The above photo is for your eyes only, Sally. And just to answer that question that has puzzled and beguiled you and other ladies for centuries, 'Do Scottish men wear anything under their kilts?', I'm afraid that unless one asks the kilt wearer to cough or you are romantically attached to them, Sally, you're most unlikely to find out; that is unless you are in Glasgow on New Year's Eve and a dozen revellers decide to do a 'Braveheart' and moon you in the High Street!
The 'tradition' of wearing nothing under a kilt is merely a matter of personal preference. One should look upon a kilt as an alternative to trousers and wear accordingly. So the answer is some do and some don't. The only remaining question to answer, Sally, is how does one know which kilted Scot is going commando and who isn't?
In Highland Dance competitions and exhibitions, the regulations of the 'Scottish Official Board of Highland Dancing' (SOBHD), when referring to the wearing of underwear say, 'dark or toning with the kilt should be worn, but not white'. Highland kilted athletes are also required to wear shorts of some type beneath their kilt during competitions.
I recall once daring to ask a kilted Scot what he wore beneath and he angrily replied, 'It's a kilt, tosser! It's only a skirt if I'm wearing underwear!"
Most virile Scots, if asked by a lady, 'Is anything worn under the kilt?' will be told, ' No, Dearie. If you look I'm sure that you'll find everything to be in good working order. We large, laddies look after our kit which needs lots of breathing space, you know.'
I've never worn a kilt, but if I did, Sally, I'd willingly tell/show you and put you out of your misery; that's if you weren't too embarrassed to look and I thought you could keep a secret?" William Forde: February 1st, 2017.