Kilted Rangers

[Tartan Hiker]

As many of you know, I've been enjoying hiking in kilts for a number of years, and each summer I direct a summer hiking/search-and-rescue/trail maintenance program in the mountains of western North Carolina. For the first time, my crew this summer wanted to make and wear kilts, too. After shopping for fabric, we descended on the local craft center and fired up their commercial Singer machines. Four evenings later, my guys had their first kilts, all done by themselves with no prior machine sewing experience.
Not only did they hike in them, but for the next week they went everywhere in them...parties, brewery tastings, pubs...they were like little kids at Christmas. Of course, I had to accompany them on these adventures to mentor them in proper kilt etiquette, witty comebacks, and to help them fend off the curious ladies. (tough duty, but someone had to do it, right?)

Here's a photo of the Kilted Montreat Wilderness Rangers (I'm far left) after their first kilted hike, an easy 8-miler to the top of Graybeard Mountain.


After a bit of arm-twisting, they consented to a pleat shot...


Fabrics are (l-to-r) 6-color desert, digital woodland, mossy oak, and solid olive drab. All poly/cotton, knife-pleated 3" deep with 1.5" reveals, full-width aprons. All of them added side pockets for their folding knives, and underapron pockets for wallets, pens, etc.

[Streetcar]

Outstanding!!

[Standard]

What a great time! Sounds like you have made some converts. The kilt would definately be a comfortable garmet for the activities that you mentioned, and the rugged canvas should hold up well for them. The addition of a knife pocket and the under apron pocket sound like sensible additions to me. While I'm not a huge fan of the camo kilts in this case I believe they are fitting.

It's wonderful that you were able to help them in just 4 evenings to make their (first) kilt. Did the kilts hold up well to a week of hard work?


Job well done lad, here's a pint in your honour. int:

:ootd:

[Cynthia]

They did a great job!

[Tartan Hiker]

Did the kilts hold up well to a week of hard work?

Absolutely!

[Standard]

Outstanding! I figured as much.

[Galician]

Great job! Think you could get them to share their experience of being kilted in those situations?

[KFCarter]

Well done all!!

[longhuntr74]

This is very cool...wish I could see the pics...these damned filters on government computer systems can be annoying!!! Anyways....I applaud your efforts...I've been active in scouting for many years and my father is the Chief Executive for a trail organization in New York State. Sounds like we'd have alot in common!!

[The Guy in the Kilt at UC]

Wow, they look amazing.