Scottish nationalists more likely to 'go commando' under kilts

The delicate question of what a true Scotsman should, or should not, wear under his kilt may have a contemporary political dimension. Photo / Getty Images

It is a question of male Scottish dress that has formed the basis of curiosity and jokes for centuries.

But the delicate question of what a true Scotsman should, or should not, wear under his kilt may also have a contemporary political dimension, new research has suggested.

A survey of Scottish men has found that those who voted for independence in the 2014 referendum are significantly more likely to forego underwear when donning a kilt.

The research by YouGov found that 45 per cent of those who voted for independence state that they 'go commando', compared with 32 per cent who voted No.

Matthew Smith, a data journalist at the polling firm, said: "In Scotland, the notion of the 'True Scotsman' has long applied to one who does not wear anything beneath his kilt.

"Nevertheless, Scottish sports stars like Andy Murray have admitted to wearing underwear beneath their kilts - indeed Highland dancers and athletes are obliged by the rules of their various games to compete with underwear beneath their kilts."

The firm's research found that overall a total of two thirds of Scotsmen said they had worn a kilt at one time or another, rising to three quarters for those born in Scotland.

Of those who have worn a kilt, 55 per cent said they tend to wear underwear, while 38 per cent go without. Another seven per cent wear shorts, tights or something else, Mr Smith said.

He said: "Those who support Scottish independence are clearly a hardier sort, and are more likely to wear nothing underneath their kilts."

In 2010, The Scottish Tartans Authority sparked debate when it decreed that refusing to put on underwear beneath a kilt was "childish and unhygienic" and flew in the face of decency.

Brian Wilton, then director, said kilt wearers should have the "common sense" to realise sartorial times had moved on.

What does a Scotsman wear under his kilt? YouGov finally reveals the answer to the age old question https://t.co/WelYv2N5Nc pic.twitter.com/txfFJWk58e

— YouGov (@YouGov) October 9, 2016

He said: "People should not be browbeaten into believing that nonsense. Just because Highlanders wore nothing in the days before Y-fronts were invented doesn't mean that we, in the 21st Century, should wear nothing too."

The YouGov research conducted in late September found more than nine-out-of-10 Scottish women said a kilt was an attractive look for a man. Two-fifths said nothing should be worn underneath and the same proportion said underwear was necessary. The rest did not know