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Scottish barmen have abandoned the kilt to deter the wandering hands of randy, drunken women.

Staff at Hootananny, in Inverness, said female revellers would not stop touching them, trying lift up their traditional dress - some even claimed to have had their penises and bums grabbed.

They complained women joked and asked if they were wearing anything under it and then, when drunk, would try and look for themselves.

Hootananny owner Kit Fraser said the groping was “pure sexism”.

He said: “Can you imagine if I went into a restaurant and stuck my hand up a girl’s skirt?

(Image: Ben Sutherland / Flickr CC)

“I would be taken to the police station and rightly so. I look after my customers but equally important are my staff.

“I am not forcing them to do something they don’t want to do.”

Iain Howie, the pub’s assistant manager, said: "You get large groups of drinking women circling around when you are collecting glasses and asking whether you are true Scotsman – and they find out for themselves. Mainly hen nights.

“The first few times it is funny. But when it is really busy and everyone has to work fast and hard, and your hands are full of glasses, you feel quite vulnerable.”

The traditional Scottish garment was initially chosen to give the venue a more authentic feel.

Now Tartan shorts will be worn instead.