Military Origin of ‘True Scotsman’ Tradition

[Troglodyte]

I think most people find accounts by English tourists like Burt to be very dubious attempts to confirm the savagery of the Highlands.

Bishop Leslie, a very reputable source writing in 1578, tells us that Highlanders wore "foemoralia simplicissima, pudori quam frigori aut pompae aptiora" = "very simple shorts, for decency rather than against the cold or for ostentation". At about the same time, Lucas de Heere painted what seems to be a very accurate picture of a "Savage Scotsman" - possibly a mercenary in one of the many European wars.
https://www.englandcast.com/wp-conte...sman.jpeg.jpeg
Shortly afterwards, the feileadh was removed from the shoulders and belted around the waist. There is no reason to suppose that the shorts/trews were abandoned.

Alan

I agree.

Visitors to other lands tend to report of the differences, rather than the similarities they find. What the European cosmographers or envoys record from the 15th century onwards seem to tally even if the terminology varies.

Burt is actually surprisingly objective in his observations (his work compares well with 20th century travel-writing), and the Highlanders come in for no more criticism than Lowlanders of the English he mentions. Much of what he observes shows the English 'society' in an unflattering light, but his disapproval clearly finds cause in the Highland gentry. Clan chiefs, he quickly recognises, are the principal obstacle to improvement in the Highlanders' lot. He finds them base, but not savages, and goes to some pains to point this out to his English reader.

One of the fuller descriptions given by Burt is often quoted, and notes that it '...makes an agreeable Figure.' The cruicial final sentence is usually ommited - 'But this you have seen in London, and is chiefly their mode of dress when they are in the Lowlands.'

Another of his descriptions details the 'common habit' of the plaid, belted as we know it, which '...is far from acceptable to the eye.' He calls this 'the Quelt' and says 'In this way of wearing the plaid, they have sometimes nothing else to cover them... in a windy Day, going up a Hill, or stooping, the Indecency of it is plainly discovered.'

Another reference is of being met by host host on the approach to the house. Burt records '...he was without Shoes, Stockings, or Breeches, in a short Coat and with a Shirt not much longer, which hung between his Thighs, and just hid his nakedness...'

Had the short trews been worn, I am certain Burt would have mentioned it, being a crucial detail.

French illustrations and accounts of the Highlanders making up the occupying forces after Waterloo, show their reputation for being 'regimental' was regularly put to the test.