Ancient Ghillies

**Mairsial MacÙr'ille** · 23rd July 14, 07:52 AM

Nowadays the soft Ghillies are used as dancing shoes in Ireland and Scotland, particularly by women, but have you seen them worn by a kilted men? In my opinion they could be a perfect footwear with a kilt and a Jacobite shirt, what do you think?

**Jock Scot** · 23rd July 14, 07:58 AM

Post deleted.

**Calgacus** · 23rd July 14, 08:05 AM

I don't think they have been worn by kilted men since the 18th century, which places them in the 'historical' category for me. They would be perfect if you wanted to trek across Scotland's moors and bogs for days whilst avoiding 'trench foot', which was their original purpose, but I can think of better footwear for walking down the street or hiking up a Munro of a weekend.

As for 'Jacobite' shirts, they are not particularly historical, nor are they my cup of tea.

YMMV of course.

**creagdhubh** · 23rd July 14, 08:16 AM

I have indeed worn the soft-soled ghillie brogues designed for Highland Dance whilst dancing, but that's about the only time I've worn them.

**Mairsial MacÙr'ille** · 23rd July 14, 08:30 AM

Originally Posted by Calgacus

I don't think they have been worn by kilted men since the 18th century, which places them in the 'historical' category for me. They would be perfect if you wanted to trek across Scotland's moors and bogs for days whilst avoiding 'trench foot', which was their original purpose, but I can think of better footwear for walking down the street or hiking up a Munro of a weekend.

As for 'Jacobite' shirts, they are not particularly historical, nor are they my cup of tea.

YMMV of course.

Yes, they would be like historical footwear, or dancing shoes. I like them. (Thanks, I'm used to this kind of answers, with proper arguments I mean.)

**creagdhubh** · 23rd July 14, 08:34 AM

Originally Posted by Mairsial MacÙr'ille

Yes, they would be like historical footwear, or dancing shoes. I like them. (Thanks, I'm used to this kind of answers, with proper arguments I mean.

They are quite comfortable too. Especially when worn with a quality pair of diced/Argyll style hose. They make you feel "light as air."

**McMurdo** · 23rd July 14, 08:34 AM

Dance ghillies are worn by men for Scottish Country Dancing the world over. Most of the women I know tend to wear ballet slippers though some of them do stick with dance ghillies. Having said that they are not that I know of ever worn outside the confines of dance.

**Nathan** · 23rd July 14, 08:42 AM

I wouldn't wear a jacobite shirt as a regular button down shirt serves the purpose and doesn't look like the Dreaded Pirate Roberts costume from the Princess Bride and as for soft ghillies, I would only wear them in the context of dancing if I were to learn Scottish Country dance or Highland dancing.

I'm not one for confusing the historical with the traditional but to each his own.

Slainte,

Nathan