Seaforth Highlanders Overkilt?

[andyfg]

I am reading a book The Somme : An Eyewitness History. There is a great picture of the Seaforth Highlanders near Beaumont Hamel, afternoon of the first day of the battle in 1916. The highlanders are all kilted, of course. What is interesting is that they seem to be wearing what I can only describe as an over-kilt. This garment covers the kilt (you can see on a few of the men the pleats showing just below this other garment). The over-kilt is not pleated and looks like a protection for the kilt. It is clearly seperate from the jacket.

I did a little research and found this picture of a Canadian Seaforth Highlander.



It is not the same garment as the 1916 picture. In that the garment goes all the way round, not just at the front. Anyone out there know the history of the Highland Regiments and can enlighten me? Is there a history of "kilt-protectors"?

Thanks.

[Yaish]

Those are aprons, and I believe they have been mentioned on here at least a few times in the past. As you suspected, they were for the protection of the kilt. I think someone might even have posted links to places you could still get them.

EDIT: WPG has some for sale, $35.00
http://whatpriceglory.com/scot.htm

Check the text just below the hair sporrans.

[andyfg]

Those are aprons, and I believe they have been mentioned on here at least a few times in the past. As you suspected, they were for the protection of the kilt. I think someone might even have posted links to places you could still get them.

EDIT: WPG has some for sale, $35.00
http://whatpriceglory.com/scot.htm

Check the text just below the hair sporrans.

Thanks, mystery solved!
Does anyone wear a kilt protector?

[Kilted KT]

it looks to me that the kilt protector has a pocket in front, to take the place of a sporran. I would guess it is designed for combat, where a sporran would be a far greater nuisance than a pocket as shown, not to mention very noisy when trying to sneak up on your enemy and use the ancient Scot-Fu fighting style on them.

Also, being that kilts have always been rather pricey, I can see why the soldiers wanted to keep theirs undamaged during warfare.

Very good camoflauge when hunting wabbits as well.

[macwilkin]

Remember, the Seaforth Highlanders (Duke of Albany's/Ross-shire Buffs) and the Seaforth Highlanders of Canada are two different regiments, although quite obviously, there is a very strong tie between the two.

The apron pictured appears to be type of apron issued during the South African (Boer) War at the turn of the century; that model had no back to it, which caused the Highland Brigade some problems, as the back of the kilt was a rather conspicous target for Boer snipers.

This photo was most likely taken before 1914, as the young squaddie is wearing what appears to be a Canadian issue "Oliver" belt with snake buckle, rather than the 1908 pattern web equipment. His tunic appears to be a British pattern tunic, and not the Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF) tunic:

http://www.canadiansoldiers.com/medi...ish_Pattern.29

Where did you find this photo? The Seaforths and the Seaforths of Canada are two of my favourite regiments! :mrgreen:

Cheers,

Todd

[Southern Breeze]

That's a great old pic.

Here's an apron that SumoKilt made, they're available through Neokilts.

http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/s...ighlight=apron

[Robin]

Visit the Seaforth and Cameron regimental museum in Fort George near Inverness...it's a must for all who visit the Highlands.

Seen several different kilt aprons there.

[M. A. C. Newsome]

I have an old military kilt apron just like the one shown in the picture that I snagged off of e-bay years ago. Sometimes I wear it when I'm sweeping up the shop or doing other dirty work. Always draws interesting comments. :-)

It's pretty handy and does keep the front of the kilt clean. Might be a good idea for wearing on set-up day at the Highland Games.

[andyfg]

Where did you find this photo? The Seaforths and the Seaforths of Canada are two of my favourite regiments! :mrgreen:

Cheers,

Todd

I did a simple Google search on Seaforth Highlanders and searched images only. There was quite a lot of pictures.