Great Kilts

[MizzouScotsman]

To be completely honest, then, as an acqiauntence and a gentleman, given that you do NOT want it to look like a costume I (personally) would just wear my usual kilt.
However, given that it's an example of living history, I would look for a specific era and nail that down. Stick to that era. Great kilts were worn from about 1550-1746(ish). That's a LONG span of time and trends to draw from.
Let me ask you: which era interests you the most?

Your approach might be different, though. I have no idea what is normally expected at your usual events.

The period I am aiming for is the time that my clan, Clan Donald (MacDonald) were Lords of the Isle. It was the period of Bannockburn to the downfall of the Lordship, about the early 1400s. I'd say that spans about a hundred years, give or take a few.

There are a few gentlemen who wear a great kilt at the games. One of them is a regional historian who gives oral history of the period in a tent set up just for that purpose. His great kilt doesn't go towards the costume. Have been meaning to talk to him but he is busy as can be doing these talks not only at games but local schools and other events. So I know it can be done. I'm figuring on a lot of trial and error to get the look that I desire out of it.

I shall post pictures once I get the material and give it a go. That way, people can see what I've done and give, hopefully, constructive criticism...lol

[TheOfficialBren]

Well, the great kilt (indeed, the kilt in any form) wasn't invented during that period. Even the tail end of your chosen era is about 150 years before the invemtion of any sort of kilt. Also none of the tartans around today existed during that period...still too early. Sorry, but the kilt was after the Middle Ages.

Maybe if you wore something more akin to what West Highlanders and Islandmen wore during the specified period instead? Today's Western Highlands and islands are warmer than they were 700 years ago but you can imagine what they might have worn. Also, there was a good deal of Viking influence in the extreme north and west during the centuries before. Perhaps some traces of that legacy still lingered aesthetically... Let's not forget that the Scots were at war with Norway only a few decades earlier in the 1260s. Alexander MacDonald made peace with Alexander III and the Norwegians then surrendered their last holdings in Scotland. (I may have my history a bit muddled there...I'm not a MacDonald so I know less about it.)

Angus Og certainly wouldn't have worn a kilt.

Also, from at least the time of Sommerled hey were a sea-faring folk. Kilts would probably not be ideal (especially the great kilt) when rowing over crashing wacves in your rough and tumble West Highland Galley (a boat directly relaed to the Viking longships from centuries earlier).

Not trying to be a drag but you did specify historical accuracy is preferred. Scotland, even in its Northern setting, followed the trends of the day, generally, outwith the Highlands.
Here is a wiki about European fashion in the 1300s.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1300–14...ropean_fashion

I would think that some simple trousers and shirt with a cloak fitting the era and maybe a couple of pieces of light armour, like a sleeveless maille shirt (no need for the heavier armoirs of the period... They were sailors, not knights). Top it off with a light helmet (perhaps one of the Norman/Norse designs since they were still in use and certainly wouldn't raise an eyebrow in that part of the world during the period) and an axe or sword suitable to the period. A claymore is tempting but...remember...MacDonald Lord of the Isles...sailor. They didn't pack any special or additional weapons for after they landed; they fought on the high seas as well as on land, largely on the water. A claymore would be a liability on the rough seas during a battle. Think of something similar to a Viking sword or axe...simpler weapons for the sailor, although a falshion (single-edged chopping sword) would be in keeping with the period, too.
Simple leather shoes.
Just my tuppence.



Happy hunting!

[MizzouScotsman]

Well then I've either got to shift my timeline or start dressing like the Viking that was Somerled...lol. Not sure the clan village would appreciate it much me dressing like a Viking. Although we introduce ourselves during the calling of the clans as, the sons of Somerled. Gives me a lot to think about...but then again, it's another kilt to add to my collection....oh the horror of choices.

[kiltedrennie]

From what I've read, the earliest references to the great kilt is around 1594. Which just barely puts it in the Elizabethan period (1558–1603); the period usually represented by Renaissance fairs. Before that they wore a 'brat', a wollen cloak, over a long linen tunic. Very early versions might have been plain or a simple checked pattern made from undyed black and white wool.

I've read varying accounts and references across the Intertubes, which of course must be taken with a grain of salt.

[MizzouScotsman]

From what I've read, the earliest references to the great kilt is around 1594. Which just barely puts it in the Elizabethan period (1558–1603); the period usually represented by Renaissance fairs. Before that they wore a 'brat', a wollen cloak, over a long linen tunic. Very early versions might have been plain or a simple checked pattern made from undyed black and white wool.

I've read varying accounts and references across the Intertubes, which of course must be taken with a grain of salt.

Been doing a bit of reading myself on these times. Seems some say that the kilt is derived from the tunics that were worn by the Romans and Irish. Some have even said that the Highlanders would take off their kilts before battle and fight in the tunics that they wore below their kilts. I know the Web and grains of salt are taken with a lot of the information that I see. But then I'm also relying a lot on books written by historians that are a bit more sturdy in their study. Of course, even historians can come in with a bias. An example would be every book I've read on the feud between the MacDonalds and the Campbells.

[TheOfficialBren]

Well then I've either got to shift my timeline or start dressing like the Viking that was Somerled...lol. Not sure the clan village would appreciate it much me dressing like a Viking. Although we introduce ourselves during the calling of the clans as, the sons of Somerled. Gives me a lot to think about...but then again, it's another kilt to add to my collection....oh the horror of choices.

Choices, choices, choices, my friend.


Something to consider: if Clan MacDonald DOES. Decide to stick out from the crowd then historically accurate garb would be one way to consider.

Kiltedrennie, yes, that is true about the 1590s date. We can infer that the very first great kilts, then, probably developed between a decade and fifty years from tjat date. Remember that the Highlands were still incredibly remote and the Western Isles were like a foreign country...even to other Highlanders, muchless other Scots.
The first proper roads since the Romans didn't go into place until the Georgian Era (1700s).

[Downunder Kilt]

Gentlemen there are many references to the dress of the highlanders of Scotland in the 16th Century, and many of them refer to their cloaks of various colours but with no mention of a belt to drawn it around them. Those same works refer to the yellow long style shirt/leine being worn by those highlanders with the plaids. The first mention of the plaid wrapped around them with a belt to secure same was, as has been pointed out, 1594.
The up to 50 year before that time is little but conjecture as there are descriptions covering that time frame but none mention a belt , of any kind being used to secure the plaid around the waist (1548, 1573, 1579, 1581, Even 1594 in other description outside that of description of the Hebrideans that went to O'Donnells aid,which is the first record of the belt being used)

[Downunder Kilt]

From what I've read, the earliest references to the great kilt is around 1594. Which just barely puts it in the Elizabethan period (1558–1603); the period usually represented by Renaissance fairs. Before that they wore a 'brat', a wollen cloak, over a long linen tunic. Very early versions might have been plain or a simple checked pattern made from undyed black and white wool.

I've read varying accounts and references across the Intertubes, which of course must be taken with a grain of salt.

From what I have seen and read of renfaires in the USA ( on the web) the period in which highlanders in kilts appear as royal guards, range from Margaret Tudor 1503-1513, Henry Vlll 1509-47 to Mary Queen of Scots 1542-1567, so appear to be stretching the facts to suit the entertainment value, though some claim to be educational troupes but admit that the theatrical takes preceedence