Quote Originally Posted by Nathan View Post
Looking good Richard. Please understand that I have no issue with ghillie brogues, I own two pairs. I was just needling Jock about his previous statements on the matter...
It's odd, about Ghillies. They occupy a strange place in traditional Highland Dress.

Army usage is on all fours with the traditional civilian usage which shows up in early 20th century Highland Dress catalogues: buckled shoes for formal Evening attire (Mess Dress and Levee Dress in the Army) and plain ordinary brogues for Day attire (working dress and the less formal No2 Dress in the Army). The Army has no mode of dress which uses ghillies.

Ironically Ghillies show up only as Evening shoes, with buckles attached, in early Highland Dress catalogues.

In the 19th century it's clear that ghillies were thought of as being rustic footwear, usually being made of roughout tan leather. It's pipers who always seem to have favoured them.