Scotland's National Attire

[Peter Crowe]

OK, I knew about the impact of Sir Walter Scott, Romanticism, and 19th century British monarchs on Scotland's national attire becoming the kilt. I'm still looking to know if anyone can say 'aye' or 'nay' as to whether it ever got drafted into law, royal decree, or any sort of formal status?

These days it seems like most people in mainland Scotland agree about their national attire. What of Orkney and Shetland?

Also, when did the Lowlanders join the kilt party? Am I wrong in thinking that as late as mid-twentieth century some of them were still mocking Highland attire?

How about more recent immigrants, such as Asians? How well have they embraced the kilt, outside of the tartan tat industry?

There is no law or formal decree stating the kilt is Scotland's national dress to my knowledge. Like many things in Scotland (and the United Kingdom more widely) such things evolve over time. There is no law or statute for instance that states English is the UK's national language, and in Scots law the crime of murder is something so commonly understood that there is no written statute expressly prohibiting it, murder's illegality is regarded as self evident.

It is undoubtedly true that there are no one size fits all answers about the kilt being Scotland's national dress. Much of what you hear is a matter of opinion based on people's experience of local and family customs. For instance, many people have stated the strong connections with the kilt in my father's family's part of the country, the North East (Aberdeenshire and Banffshire) most of which is east of the traditionally defined (Geographically and culturally) Highlands, and yet in Tom Steel's Life and Death of St. Kilda, it is stated that the islanders had never worn highland dress (because of the environment).

I think most Scots regard it as theirs, but there are some localities, primarily in the south where it has been much more of a minority dress code until comparatively recently. That is not to say it was unknown or unheard of in such places merely the exception rather than the norm. I speak as one from that minority and have stated before that my father went kilted to school as a teenager in Lanarkshire in the early 1950's albeit he was an incomer originally from Macduff.

[Blackrose87]

Scotland technically doesn't even have an official national anthem, so I wouldn't think there would be any legislation on a national dress.

[davidlpope]

One indicator may be to consider the attire of various chiefs of Lowland and Borders families.

To my knowledge the Duke of Buccleuch and Queensbury does not wear the kilt, although his many overseas followers are wrapped in tartan. This link shows a mix of trews and kilt:
http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f...ans-2-a-53479/


As Matt points out, though, much of the tartan sold by is identified with Lowland or Borders families.

[seanachie]

This past year St Andrews Day fell on a Wednesday and as such PMQs.
I looked carefully across the Commons and could not see a single kilt.
Is there some type of unwritten "gentleman's rule" or why would not a single
MP from Scotland being wearing the kilt on such a day? It would seem that would be day that you would see them proudly worn. I ask that question purely out of curiosity. (not looking for any political comments). The only similiar thing I can think of is Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum of Dubai. When I visited Dubai never did I see a single picture of him in anything other than traditional Arab dress (and his pic is everywhere). However he is a frequent visitor to the US and is a keen horseman. In the US I have never seen him in anything other than western dress.

[EagleJCS]

One indicator may be to consider the attire of various chiefs of Lowland and Borders families.

To my knowledge the Duke of Buccleuch and Queensbury does not wear the kilt, although his many overseas followers are wrapped in tartan. This link shows a mix of trews and kilt:
http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f...ans-2-a-53479/


As Matt points out, though, much of the tartan sold by is identified with Lowland or Borders families.

Quite correct, David. As far as I know, His Grace has/does not wear a kilt, but has remarked to members of the Clan Scott Society that it's far more common to see tartan trews (either the military style, or regular trousers made of tartan) among the Borders families/clans in Scotland. The members of the Clan Scott Society, at least in the US, often do wear kilts in one of the Scott tartans.

Photos I've seen of His Grace show him in tweed jacket w/ slacks and/or flannel suits. I think only once was he even wearing the Scott tartan, and that in a waistcoat.

[Jock Scot]

This past year St Andrews Day fell on a Wednesday and as such PMQs.
I looked carefully across the Commons and could not see a single kilt.
Is there some type of unwritten "gentleman's rule" or why would not a single
MP from Scotland being wearing the kilt on such a day? It would seem that would be day that you would see them proudly worn. I ask that question purely out of curiosity. (not looking for any political comments). The only similiar thing I can think of is Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum of Dubai. When I visited Dubai never did I see a single picture of him in anything other than traditional Arab dress (and his pic is everywhere). However he is a frequent visitor to the US and is a keen horseman. In the US I have never seen him in anything other than western dress.

I have no sensible answer, but perhaps its a modification of the "no kilt below the Highland line" to "No kilt below the Scots border"? There used to be a Westminster MP who I think had a Scots constituency, the late Sir Nicholas Fairbairn QC, MP who used to wear a tartan(his own tartan I think)suit on budget day in the House of Commons. I have not seen the kilt on the floor of the House of Commons either, perhaps there is an act of Parliament preventing it? Perhaps its one of those unfathomable "its just not done, Old Boy" type things that still haunts parts of British society on occasion?

In truth I see no extra kilts about, during the day, in Scotland either on St Andrew's Day. Perhaps a few more in the evening if there is a St Andrews "do" on somewhere locally.

[kilted scholar]

Sir Nicholas Fairbairn did wear the kilt in the House of Commons on a number of occasions, as reported in The Times by Craig Brown and then Matthew Parris in their Parliamentary sketches. Before him the Liberal MP (before the Liberal Democrats were formed) Russell Johnston wore the kilt not infrequently and was, so it was reported, the first Scots MP to do so.

[CMcG]

This is all very interesting. As an overseas kilt-wearer, discovering some of these nuances in history, heritage, and usage are really helpful for developing a well-rounded understanding of how the kilt functions as a symbol in its native land. I enjoy the simplified and romanticized version of the kilt promulgated by many retailers as much as the next guy, but a dose of reality is good too

[MacSpadger]

Sir Nicholas Fairbairn did wear the kilt in the House of Commons on a number of occasions, as reported in The Times by Craig Brown and then Matthew Parris in their Parliamentary sketches. Before him the Liberal MP (before the Liberal Democrats were formed) Russell Johnston wore the kilt not infrequently and was, so it was reported, the first Scots MP to do so.

I recall seeing Fairbairn in trews on several occasion below the border and many times in the kilt above it. He was photographed in his kilt by Stephens Orr, the Glasgow photographer who himself wore a kilt at all times.

Fairbairn is noted in several annals as the only kilted Secretary of State the UK has had.

Another Conservative Scottish MP, Bill Walker, also used to wear the kilt. (just to be clear, I am talking about the former deputy chairman of the Scottish Conservative Party here, not the current MSP Bill Walker). Bill most definitely did wear the kilt in the House of Commons in the 1980s and 90s and also when appearing as an MP on Question Time.

I think it would be safe to say that Fairbairn was a one-off.

[Jock Scot]

Sir Nicholas Fairbairn did wear the kilt in the House of Commons on a number of occasions, as reported in The Times by Craig Brown and then Matthew Parris in their Parliamentary sketches. Before him the Liberal MP (before the Liberal Democrats were formed) Russell Johnston wore the kilt not infrequently and was, so it was reported, the first Scots MP to do so.

Gosh, Russell Johnston! I should have thought of him and thank you for reminding me, not only did he wear the kilt in the House of Commons he also carried something sharp and pointed in his hose there too, which I seem to recall caused more than a raised eyebrow from the Ushers! A good man.