Taylor Swift dancer wears kilt after cultural appropriation fears

One of Taylor Swift’s dancers has insisted he was careful to be “respectful to Scottish history” after apparently fearing accusations of cultural appropriation for wearing a kilt.

Kameron Saunders, from St Louis, Missouri, said he had “always wanted an authentic kilt” but had been fearful of offending Scots by acquiring one while in Edinburgh to perform in three sell-out shows at Murrayfield.

The 31-year-old, who has built a cult following among the US megastar’s fans, said he had been assured he could wear his new outfit “with pride” after receiving a crash course in Scottish history, dress, accessories and “the thistle” from a kilt salesman.

He then proudly posed in the red tartan kilt and waistcoat, with a black sporran, in Charlotte Square, close to Bute House, the official residence of Scotland’s first minister.

Posting the images on Instagram, Scottish fans heaped praise on the dancer and choreographer.

Shirley-Anne Somerville, a Scottish Government cabinet minister, said she would never go to a cabinet meeting in Bute House again without thinking of him.

“I’ve always wanted an authentic kilt but I wanted to be super respectful about the culture,” Saunders said.

“So prior to purchasing I had an extensive conversation with the salesman who educated me so very wonderfully about kilts, accessories, Scottish history, Scottish last names, tartans, the thistle, etc.

“He assured me that I could wear this outfit with pride. So that’s what I’m doing!”

He then struck a series of poses in his new outfit in central Edinburgh, which were captured by Sydney Moss, another of Swift’s dancers on her Eras Tour.

Saunders is the only person other than Swift to have a speaking role in her shows, during her US gigs saying “like, ever” during her hit song We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together, from her 2012 album Red.

During international shows, he has instead recited a local phrase. In Scotland, he said “nae chance,” “ya wee radge” and “bolt ya rocket”.

Helen Lewis, the British journalist who is a staff writer at US magazine The Atlantic, said she had “enjoyed Taylor Swift’s dancer worrying that he might be culturally appropriating tartan”.

Lois McLatchie Miller, a free speech campaigner, said she wished she could have been a “fly on the wall watching this conversation about cultural appropriation between an old Scottish guy in a kilt shop and Kameron Sauders”.

Scottish kilt makers have reported growing concerns among international customers that donning Highland dress could be seen as offensive, amid a surge in people discovering their Scottish heritage through online DNA tests.

However, there is a consensus among experts that non-Scots wearing kilts is fine, so long as the wearer is respectful of the garments and traditional accessories.

MacGregor and MacDuff, the Edinburgh kiltmaker, has published an article on its website in a bid to reassure prospective customers that they will not be accused of racism.

Dave Baird, a MacGregor and MacDuff executive, told The Telegraph last year: “Over the past five or so years there has absolutely been an increase in non-Scots buying and hiring highland wear from us.

“With the boom of DNA kits, a lot of non-Scots are discovering their Scottish ancestry and choosing to celebrate it.

“As long as people wear a kilt properly, cultural appropriation isn’t an issue. We like to think of it as cultural celebration.”

Swift’s shows in Edinburgh broke Scottish attendance records, with the singer playing to 220,000 fans over the three nights.

“Edinburgh!!! You truly blew me away this weekend,” she said on Monday, in a post to her 283 million Instagram followers.

“Thank you for breaking the all-time attendance record for a stadium show in Scotland 3 times in a row and for all the ways you made us feel right at home. Love you, all 220,000 of you!!!”

The megastar will play three nights at Anfield in Liverpool from Thursday, before performing in Cardiff’s Principality Stadium and Wembley from next week.

Her tour will then move on to Ireland and continental Europe before she returns to London for another five shows at Wembley in August.