DO you have a favourite level of traditional dress?

[neloon]

Jock said
"I have never been convinced that the kilt was ever worn generally for "dirty" work by Highlanders in times past. The occasional Factor, a few landowners did wear the kilt rather more often, but that was in smart form not for manual work."

The following quotation from a Boston reporter's travel diary of the 1870s adds a little US flavour to that.
"The Highland costume is common in Inverness ; but it is
not a common garb to the people. It is worn mostly by the
gentry in the hunting-season, and is a favorite garb with the
Duke of Edinburgh when in the Highlands. The measure
adopted after the rebellion of the clans in favor of Prince
Charles Edward, prohibiting clan meetings and the clan
dress, struck the death-blow to the most picturesque mascu-
line costume ever in vogue, from Adam to Dr. Mary Walker.
Quite frequently, however, I meet some farmer in the kilt
and stockings ; and there are a few in the Highlands who
wear them the year around. They are not a most comforta-
ble dress in these breezy, wet autumn days ; and are much
less so in the winter, when these hills and moors are covered
with snow, and a keen frosty wind sweeps through the glens. "

Alan