SUDDENLY, everyone’s wearing a kilt. Jamie from Outlander. Finlay Wilson from the Kilted Yoga videos. Almost everyone at every national football or rugby match. And 101 men in a new book of photographs. The kilt hasn’t always been fashionable – there was a time when it wasn’t even all that common at weddings – but now it’s trendy, essential, de rigueur. It’s time to take a look underneath and find out what’s going on.

Bob McDevitt, the photographer behind the new book, 101 Men in Kilts, says there’s definitely been a culture change of late that has led to more men wearing the kilt. McDevitt, who’s based in Glasgow, remembers his father wearing a kilt only once, for a wedding (and it was hired) and he himself didn’t wear one until his 20s. But now, 30 years on, he owns his own made-to-measure kilt and has watched as the garment has gone from something cheesy to something trendy.

McDevitt thinks programmes like Outlander have certainly had their part to play in the change, but he also credits the young designers who have created kilts in leather or bright, modern designs as well as the rise of the metrosexual and the idea that it’s OK for a man to care about the way he looks – “it’s not seen as a sissy thing to do or in any way unmanly to wear a kilt”. He also thinks that in some cases the recent political discussions about national identity and Scotland’s role in the world may have played a part.

101 Men in Kilts is the result of his thoughts on the subject: a cheeky coffee-table book full of pictures of guys, all posing in their kilts. Some look formal, some look more relaxed, some are young, some are older, some are clearly wearing pants under their kilts and some clearly are not. It’s a bit of fun designed to show that men, of all builds, sizes and ages, feel good and look good in kilts.

McDevitt recognises that there is a sexual element to the garment. “There’s a definite fascination with what’s under the kilt and I tried to play with that in the photos. In some of them, you can see a wee bit of thigh, and there’s one with a 'kilt drop' at the back. [He's referring to a cheeky shot of 22-year-old East Kilbride actor, Craig.] I tried not to make the photos too overly sexualised because I wanted it to be ordinary guys and a different range.”

As for the kilt's political dimension, McDevitt was aware of it, although it was never a big part of the project. “It was not there overtly from my point of view – although it’s the times we live in. I think there has been more discussion about Scottish identity in the past few years than ever before so it does play a little part. There’s a couple of guys in Scotland tops, but I didn’t want blue faces or Yes stickers. Some people obviously see it as part of their Scottishness and it does define them in some way. Although wearing the kilt in the way we do now is completely fake, from the Victorian time. It’s a fashion thing.”

McDevitt thinks there are a few other good reasons for wearing the kilt – for a start, there’s the simple fact that it’s flattering pretty much whatever your shape. “I’m a bigger guy, I’m a bit overweight and 50 years old but I feel good in it.” And when it comes to the underwear or no underwear question, Bob is a traditionalist. “Basically,” he says, “I like the liberation of a bit of air around my bits.”

Not everyone agrees. Many of the men in 101 Men In Kilts do not wear anything underneath, but about half do. They also have different views on what to wear with a kilt. We spoke to a few of the men featured in the book to find out their views.

Colin McAlpine, 40, photographer, East Kilbride.

The Herald:

Describe your kilt

It’s the McAlpine tartan. The McAlpines are descended from Scandinavia and we can date my family right back to King Kenneth McAlpine, the first king of the Scottish Picts.

How does wearing it make you feel?

I feel a connection to the family history but wearing a kilt was instilled in me by my father. He also brought me up to be proud of my Scottish heritage so it doesn’t normally take a lot of convincing to get me into my kilt.

When do you wear it?

I’m a wedding photographer so I wear it when I’m working. At any formal event I would normally have my kilt on. But also at Scotland games with a T-shirt.

When did you first wear a kilt?

As a kid I had tartan trousers and a rug in McAlpine tartan but the first time I wore a kilt was at my sister’s wedding about 30 years ago, when I was 10. We hired kilts that time – it was a little embarrassing the first time and I wore boxer shorts. I didn't get a kilt of my own until my brother got married about 15 years ago.

What does it mean to you?

I’ve never been one for suits. There’s nothing political in wearing the kilt but I am proud of my Scottish roots.

Has it ever attracted the wrong kind of attention?

No. My other half loves it and she'd have me doing the hoovering in my kilt.

Where is the strangest place you have worn your kilt?

I wore it in Las Vegas at a friend’s wedding. It was about 110 degrees and we got a lot of attention from Americans.

Would you wear a modern kilt?

Some of the modern tweed kilts are quite nice, but the McAlpine tartan always takes precedence.

What do you keep in your sporran?

Normally a wee hip flask and some change.

What do you wear underneath?

I’ve worn boxer shorts just one time. I don’t wear anything because I’m following tradition – it was something my dad drummed into me. I was at a ball once and right in front of Richard Branson a couple of girls marched up behind me and lifted the kilt up. I’ve mooned Richard Branson.

David Carruth, 27, postman, Elderslie

The Herald:

Describe your kilt

I got it for my 21st birthday and it's in a McKenzie tartan, which is not my family tartan. I looked at the family tartan and thought: no. It was very red.

How does wearing it make you feel?

I enjoy it, and I like a little of what it represents. I’m not too worried about my image so have no qualms about wearing it.

When do you wear it?

I’ve rocked up to Scotland games wearing it; there was also a trip to Spain with friends on one of our first holidays as young guys. We thought it would be funny to go out in kilts and people love it and ask about it. And for some of the other guys, it helped them come out of their shell.

Do you remember the first time you wore one?

I must have been a toddler; there are pictures of me at weddings wearing a wee mini kilt.

Why is wearing a kilt important to you?

There is a nationalistic thing, although it has been maybe turned into something it wasn’t. It’s quite a modern invention. It’s definitely more national than political – I feel more Scottish when I’m wearing it.

Has it ever attracted the wrong kind of attention?

Not for me, but friends have worn it on a night out and people have gone too far, putting their hands up there when they shouldn’t have and that’s made them feel uncomfortable. If it was from male to female, there would be uproar, and there isn’t the other way around and I would certainly not treat anyone like that.

Where is the strangest place you have worn your kilt?

In a milking parlour for the book. My father is Jim Carruth, the current poet laureate of Glasgow and that was the family farm.

Would you wear a modern kilt?

No. I’m not a fan. You get some hideous traditional tartans but you’ve got to go tartan.

What do you keep in your sporran?

Usually my phone and some change, although after my prom, the sporran was full of bits of the buffet that I’d helped myself to before I left.

What do you wear underneath?

I have gone true Scotsman, but the majority of the time, no. It comes from an army tradition I think, it was a test of your manhood, although if you go way, way back, underwear wasn’t a thing.

John Crawford, 58, company director, Glasgow

The Herald:

Describe your kilt

It is in Crawford Modern, my family tartan.

How does wearing it make you feel?

I feel great; I feel like you stand out for Scotland.

When do you wear it?

To the football, and to formal events. I wear a bow-tie with it and it has to be a proper bow-tie, not a clip-on.

Do you remember the first time you wore a kilt?

My mum put me in one when I was a wee boy.

What does it mean to you?

It’s not so much political, but I definitely put the kilt on because I’m Scottish; I was born and bred here. It’s also about the process: it takes a bit of time to get it on and make sure the length is right, laces tied correctly etc. You don’t just fling it on. I see so many guys not wearing it right, but I follow the ritual to make sure I’m representing Scotland. It has to be done properly.

Has it ever attracted the wrong kind of attention?

It’s never been an issue – given that I’ve travelled quite a bit with it, it’s always been pretty positive.

Where is the strangest place you have worn your kilt?

My kilt has been to about five continents around the world. I run a drone business, doing aerial inspections, surveys and photography and everywhere I go, the kilt goes. In Abu Dhabi, I went into a bar after an event, and a girl came up to me, patted my shoulder and said “well done” – she thought I was in the army.

Would you wear a modern kilt?

I would, as long as it didn’t move too far away from the traditional.

What do you keep in your sporran?

Usually just money on a night out.

What do you wear underneath?

Tartan boxer shorts.

Kevin Ruiza, 40, senior financial accountant

The Herald: The plaid lads: how do contemporary kilt-wearers feel about wearing this most Scottish of garments?

Describe your kilt

It's in a Flower Of Scotland tartan. I came to Scotland from Tanzania in February, 2011. Scotland wasn’t my choice but I ended up being here as a refugee and have been here ever since. I am married to a beautiful Scottish lady and we live in Dennistoun, Glasgow.

How does wearing it make you feel?

Like a true Scotsman ... even though I'm not underneath. I wanted to be part of this great nation and break the barrier for an African to wear a kilt, which we tend to be shy about it.

Do you remember the first time you wore a kilt?

On my wedding day in 2012 (forced by my wife ha ha) and I sometimes wear it on Christmas Day. I was shy the first time I wore it, but after a few whiskies I felt all right.

What does it mean to you?

It was important because my wife wanted to me to wear one but it could be a statement of national pride. I may be an African but I live here and am proud to be part of this culture. You need to be in it to be part of it. I also wore an Australian top for the picture to prove the point of being an international representative. Meaning – an African, in the kilt, in Scotland with an Aussie top. I represent the global in that sense – is that political or national pride?

Has it ever attracted the wrong kind of attention?

It has attracted all kinds of people – mostly ladies who want to see if I am a true Scotsman. I wouldn’t say it was a wrong kind of attention but it is interesting when someone comes from nowhere and lifts your kilt from behind. I've often been asked, 'What have you got underneath and can you prove it?' and I have proved it a few times.

Where is the strangest place you have worn your kilt?

In the park for the book.

Would you wear a modern kilt?

Yes.

What do you keep in your sporran?

My phone and my wallet.

What do you wear underneath?

I think you know the answer by now. I wear pants under my kilt – not because it's cold, but because I just know someone somewhere will want to see what am I wearing.

All photographs by Bob McDevitt. 101 Men in Kilts by Bob McDevitt is published by Backpage, £9.99