Some Authenticity Advice?

[Skye]

Hello—in full disclosure as an American Indian I have no direct Scottish heritage, although I’ve always been fascinated by Celtic culture—before it became more Christianized there were many commonalities with Native American culture. Actually, some of my Pueblo (and Hopi) Indian relatives traditionally wear what anthropologists call a “kilt” but it’s embroidered rather than having the designs woven in. The reason I’ve joined is because I’m a NY Times and USA Today Bestselling author—which just means a number of people tend to read what I write. Next month I’m going to be in an anthology on Scottish Romance (and if some of you roll your eyes over being a romance writer—it pays all my bills, lol). This is timed to an American TV series that’s started airing based on the novel “The Outlander” where a WW2 British nurse “falls through time” and ends up in the 18^th century where she’s found by her Scottish husband’s relatives. Our upcoming anthology also has a fantasy theme.

Personally I know how frustrating it is when someone with little familiarity of Native American Culture doesn’t do any research and just churns something out from his or her imagination. Just so, when I’m writing about another culture I do a lot of research to make sure what I write is respectful and doesn’t promote misinformation. I’ve found some of the threads on here very helpful. However as others have mentioned, some of the source material is vague and confusing.

For example—I’d really appreciate it if someone could clarify wearing a sgian-dubh? I see on some sites they’re sold with a sheath. Is it traditional to simply wear them tucked into the top of your hose as is, or is it more standard to put it into a sheath and then stuff the whole thing into your hose? I read through one of the threads about wearing them but I’m still unclear if a sheath is mandatory.

I’m also puzzled over women’s traditional clothing. I’m aware that in more modern times Scottish women started adapting a Highland Dance skirt that was/is a modification of a man’s kilt. But if you’re not a female Highland Dancer, would a modified man’s kilt still be worn or would it be more likely she’d wear something that reflects the older and “cover the ankle” sort of dress? The older thread on women in kilts doesn’t really help me in what I need in my writing. I have a contemporary female character who lives in Edinburgh but has returned to her remote community in the Highlands where the people are participating in a very traditional Fest. Since she’s not a Highland Dancer—do you have suggestions of how to describe what an attractive young woman would wear to a traditional formal event when she’s not a Dancer, a Piper, or Royalty?

And also—do contemporary people in Scotland use the term Cairngorm stone or would they just call it a crystal or a jewel (obviously this relates to a stone actually having been taken from that area—but does calling it a “Cairngorm stone” sound old-fashioned, or a term that’s too geographically specific)?

I really appreciate anyone sharing their wisdom and experience—
Skye Eagleday
PS—like many authors, my choice of covers is limited to images I can purchase the copyright to use. There isn’t nearly as large a choice of “Cover” quality men in kilts as I’d like. The avatar I’m using is from the cover of one of my books that reflects what I have to work with. If I can figure out how to post an image on this site I’ll share what our upcoming cover looks like if anyone is interested. I do wonder if folks who regularly wear kilts look at some book covers and snicker…

[Galloglaigh]

After 11 attempts to register here under different names, we now have enough evidence to confirm that this is again Steven Aikens of Jasper AL. This time using an IP proxy in an attempt to hide his real location.

[Pleater]

I also missed the 'today' - I was thinking it was historical -

Anne the Pleater :ootd:

[Holcombe Thomas]

Skye, welcome to the Great Rabble.

I can't help you on what a young woman might wear to a formal event in the Highlands nor with the cairngorm, but I can comment on the sgian dubh. The knife is sheathed and then tucked into the hose. An open blade would cut the wearer or his hose, neither a desirable outcome. There is no "requirement" that one carry a sgian and a fair number of folks carry the "sgian bru," a bottle opener, and sometimes cork screw, with a decorative handle. Sgian brus are typically used sans sheath.

Hope this is helpful. The real experts will no doubt be along shortly.

Holcombe

[Benning Boy]

I won't presume to answer your questions, as there are so many here better informed than I. However, having once made my living as a writer, I found it useful to keep a few reference books on hand, especially as I wrote somewhat technical nonfiction that could easily be shot full of holes if I wasn't precise. I suggest you buy a copy of Early Highland Dress by Matthew A.C. Newsome. It can be had from The Scottish Tartan Museum, but they can be frustrating to deal with. Only recently did they respond to an email I sent them over six months ago.

Further, The Scottish Dirk, by James D. Forman will answer your questions about the sgain-dubh. It's easily had from Amazon. Neither book is very expensive.

There is also relevant information here: http://www.tartansauthority.com/highland-dress/

You didn't mention a time frame for your story, but depending on how far back you go, you must take into consideration that much of what is discussed here as being traditional highland dress, is in fact of recent origin, and would be strange to the eye of a 17th Century Scot, for example.

[Pleater]

When you don't have specifics it is often wiser to leave it to the imagination of the reader -

Leonora left the old women to their preparations and ascended the ancient staircase of wood so old and so polished that it looked more like stone than anything that had ever grown. In the simple chamber assigned to her she found that her aunt had left all she needed to transform herself from city dweller to a young woman of simpler times. She struggled out of the fashionable gown in which the maid had helped her dress that morning, brushed her hair, washed her hands and face in the bowl which she knew had been given to her own grandmother on her wedding day and then dressed herself easily in the same style as the other women in the house. When she returned to the ground floor she met her aunt, who took her arm and guided her into the kitchen murmuring 'welcome back, my dear girl - now I can say that I know you.'

Anne the Pleater :ootd:

[BBNC]

Skye, welcome to the forum.

According to my sources, Cairngorms are semi-precious stones of the citrine quartz variety, often having an amber to brown range of color, found in the Cairngorm mountains of Scotland. They were used in Highland jewelry, and set into the handles of Sgian-Dubh's with silver mountings. Apparently true citrines are rather rare, most of which now come from Brazil. If your local rock shop doesn't have real ones, I'm sure they will have something in a smoky quartz, cut and polished. I selected a stone in the form of a cabuchon which I plan to mount with polished silver foil behind to add sparkle in my Sgian-Dubh handle of almost black bog oak.

BBNC

[Hawk]

Skye, I am happy to see you here at XMTS as you will certainly find a few resources at your disposal. I also welcome you as a indigenous sister ( although a different nation ).
I will be forwarding a PM to you.....

Hawk

[Calgacus]

Hi Skye,

To try to answer your questions, the sgian dubh is worn sheathed and tucked into the hose. There is a good description of traditional women's wear here:-

http://www.tartansauthority.com/high...ess-for-women/

Contemporary Scots do use the term 'Cairngorm' to describe such jewels, though not all would be familiar with the term. Note that we would generally just call it a 'Cairngorm', not a 'Cairngorm stone'.

Do post your cover (if you can), we'd happily pass comment. There is an 'Insert image' button in the toolbar of the 'Quick reply' box which allows you to link to an image which is on the web, or upload a picture from your computer if it is not too big. You can also share links to Flickr or Photobucket images.

[Carlo]

...
There is a good description of traditional women's wear here:-

http://www.tartansauthority.com/high...ess-for-women/
...

I liked that link,
but my guess/experience is, that a young women in the highlands Today is more than likely to wear some kind of jeans and t-shirt/blouse combination for a ceilidh (traditional event) or maybe a dress if it's more formal. To this moment I haven't seen any young Scottish women dressed in something that looks "traditional/historical" outside of reenactments.
Obviously my experience is very limited.