Kilt wearers ordered to wear underpants

Scots who refuse to wear underwear beneath their kilts are being "childish and unhygienic", it is claimed. The practice of "going commando" has been the mark of a true Scotsman for generations. But the Scottish Tartans Authority, who are dedicated to upholding the nation's traditions, say it flies in the face of decency.

Sta director Brian Wilton said: "The idea that you are not a real Scot unless you are bare under your kilt should be thrown into the same wastepaper basket as the idea you're not a real Scot unless you put salt on your porridge. Just because Highlanders wore nothing in the days before Y-fronts doesn't mean we should wear nothing too. Sending children up chimneys is traditional too but we don't do it now. Common sense and decency suggest that for the majority of occasions, one should wear under the kilt what one would wear under trousers.



"You only have ask hire specialists about the problems they have cleaning their kilts. We have heard quite a few hygiene horror stories." Kilt makers Slanj now insist underwear is worn with hire kilts. They said they had to act after some kilts were returned in such a state they were unhygienic for staff to handle.

But not all kilt makers and wearers agree. Ex-Formula One driver David Coulthard, 39, said: "Kilts are from the past and so is the tradition of not wearing underwear. There is nothing childish or unhygienic about it." Scottish Kilt Makers' Association spokesman Ian Chisholm, of Inverness, said: "To say it is unhygienic is wrong. The freedom of movement is healthy." But Highlands and Islands MSP Jamie McGrigor said: "I wear underwear with my kilt. In the Highlands, midges can mount alarming and unexpected attacks on so-called true Scotsmen."