A Multitude of Photographical Examples of How I approach Traditional Highland Dress

[creagdhubh]

Greetings all,

Yes, I know, it is a rather long title and as you will soon observe, there are many, many photos within this thread. I recently informed many of you that I would scan several photos from my many albums that are of myself, my wife, my family, my clan, and my friends at various Scottish events and/or in Scotland. The main purpose of this thread is to give everyone, especially kilt newbies, an example of ways to wear Highland dress, specifcially day and evening attire. By no means am I attempting to tell everyone that this way, my way, of wearing Highland attire is the only way, or even the correct way, however, I have had a multitude of influences on how to properly wear Highland dress from my own family, as well as from my own clan that I think you may find rather interesting.

Several of the photos may have nothing to do with Highland attire at all, but are still pertinent, as they are part of my ongoing "introduction" to the many experienced, more seasoned veterans of XMTS. I have found this wonderful forum to be an invaluable source of inspiration for continuing my evolution of thinking with regards to correct Highland attire, and the manner of wearing it. A heartfelt "thank you" goes out to many of you who have continually informed, inspired, educated, motivated, instructed, and advised in matters that deal specifically with traditional Highland attire. I look forward to reading many more of your conversations on various topics of interest. Please enjoy my photos taken over the past several years.



Sir William Alan Macpherson of Cluny and Blairgowrie, TD, his friend, Lady Hilary, my wife, Stephanie and myself at the 2008 Clan Macpherson-U.S. Branch, annual general meeting in Monterey, California. Keen observers will note that my lovely wife, Stephanie Macpherson, is wearing her sash incorrectly. In a fierce attempt not to be late for the ball, I quickly helped her with her sash and totally forgot to have it going across her right shoulder (how Lady Hilary is wearing it), not her left as shown-that manner of wearing the sash is strictly for women who are the head of a clan. It was quickly changed later that night! Whoops!!!


Sandy Macpherson of Edinburgh (an armiger) and myself in Hollister, California. Note the sweater I wear with my Macpherson red ancient. I like to match sweater colors with my kilt hose (hidden from view: I am wearing navy kilt hose) to give a relatively even look throughout-even though it really doesn't matter too much!


Lachlan Mackintosh (wearing the Mackintosh hunting tartan) and myself speaking at a luncheon in Newtonmore, Inverness-shire, Scotland. Note the sprig of white heather in my Balmoral-the plant badge of the Clan Macpherson.


Myself and my good friend, piper, Matt Pantaleoni at a local middle school. I taught a lesson on the cultural connections between Scotland and the U.S. I suprised the class by having Matt play the pipes outside on the track. Note the pleating to the stripe on my Macpherson hunting ancient kilt. Also, I do not wear ghillie brogues at all. The shoes I have on are Loake 202, full brogues, made in England.


Two very different examples of Highland dress. Me speaking with a local reenactor of the 42nd Highland Regiment, the Black Watch, at a local St. Patrick's Day celebration/parade. Note my cromach and animal mask sporran.


My cooperating teacher and I at the middle school where I taught the cultural connections lesson. Note the smooth, black leather kilt belt (made by L&M) and buckle with my Clan Macpherson badge-I sometimes wear only a belt when I do not feel like wearing the waistcoat that goes with my daywear jackets. I am also wearing a necktie that depicts the coat of arms of the Clan Macpherson Association-approved for wear by our Chief. I also wear a three tassle, L&M, black leather sporran with matching strap.


Cluny and I at the 2007 annual general meeting in Detroit, Michigan. Note the rather plain, white rabbit dress sporran I am wearing and the Prince Charlie coatee. I have since sold the coatee on eBay, when I decided to wear the Regulation Doublet like my Chief does. Cluny's kilt is the dress Macpherson and his hair sporran with unique cantle design, are both very old and were passed down to him. Cluny also wears a custom silver badge on his doublet. It is the badge of "The Guardians of the Clan Macpherson." Any member of the clan who donates a specific amount to the Clan Macpherson Museum in Newtonmore, Inverness-shire, Scotland, is added to the list of official "guardians" of the clan and is allowed to wear the badge of the "guardians" in place of their clansman's badge. The badges are custom made out of sterling silver by Garth Duncan of Skye.


Me, George McPherson, and Dr. John Clark at the Dalwhinnie distillery in Dalwhinne, Inverness-shire, Scotland. Note the very casual look I have going on-grey v-neck sweater, Macpherson hunting ancient kilt, grey hose, black flashes, plain leather sporran, and plain semi-brogues (hidden).


Me in the hills overlooking the Spey river valley-somewhere in Badenoch! Note my hiking boots; I do have Wellington boots (Welly's), yet opted not to wear them, thick charcoal grey sweater, plain sporran, and my wee rucksack, packed full of essentials (whisky and oatcakes! LOL!)

[creagdhubh]

Sorry, just found out that I am limited to the number of photos I may upload per thread! Thanks and enjoy!


And another view of my attire-yes, my eyes are closed! LOL! I was beat by this point in my adventure...ready for a celebratory dram indeed!


Our chief, Sir William Macpherson of Cluny; note his three eagle feathers denoting his rank as a Highland Chief, recognized by the Lord Lyon. He also wears a jacket of the "Macpherson" tweed (contains the same colorings as in the Macpherson hunting tartan, bespoke tweed made by a wee company in Edinburgh named, Hugh Macpherson's on West Maintland street. Cluny also wears a sporran made of a Scottish Wildcat-the totem of the Clan Macpherson. He also has his interesting cromach at hand.


A closeup of my charcoal jacket and waistcoat made by Kinloch-Anderson, Leith, Scotland (no epaulettes, Argyll cuffs and Argyll pocket flaps on this jacket, though I do have jackets in that style). I am wearing the regimental necktie of the Black Watch, Royal Highland Regiment. I served alongside them whilst deployed as a U.S. Marine in Iraq in 2003.


Me again in Badenoch, Scotland. You can see the Spey river valley behind me. I am holding a sprig of purple heather in my hand. I saved it, pressed it, and gave it to my wee sister.


My daywear attire for St. Patrick's Day in Cincinnati, Ohio-the hometown of my wife. Lovat green tweed jacket and waistcoat, Macpherson red ancient kilt, animal mask sporran, lovat green hose, staghorn sgian dhubh, check shirt, striped tie, plain navy blue Mackie Balmoral with matching navy toorie, and my custom cromach. What a fun day that was!


My lovely wife, Stephanie and I at our rehearsal dinner in Cincinnati, Ohio. It was at a lovely Scottish pub called, Nicholson's...a superb evening indeed. Note my Macpherson red modern kilt, 6 tassel, thistle embossed, custom sporran molach, Macpherson red modern Argyll hose, patent leather buckle brogues, sterling silver thistle with cairngorm stone kilt pin (I match all my stones whilst in evening attire), and regimental style sgian dhubh with a cairngorm stone top. At this point in the evening, I had taken off my regulation doublet to relax even more. My wife wears her Macpherson red modern sash, though she is a Robertson by blood!


Piper, Matt Pantaleoni and I at a local Tartan Day celebration. I am wearing a lovat blue jacket and waistcoat, Macpherson red ancient kilt, animal mask sporran, lovat blue hose, plain brogues from Loake, plain navy Balmoral, and have my cromach. Matt wears the Armstrong modern tartan though he owns several kilts in different tartans. He's of northern Italian descent, obviously, and is an extraordinary piper, piping instructor, and mate. He travels to Scotland every summer to compete all around Scotland. He has also competed in London for the Bratach Gorm (the blue banner).


Informal daywear: Photo of Cluny and I at an annual clan meeting. We are both wearing Macpherson hunting tartan kilts (hidden) with regular, collared shirts, and plain leather sporrans (hidden). Very comfortable and easygoing.


Me in my long gone, Prince Charlie Coatee and waistcoat (I am wearing my USMC miniature medals), and my plain, white rabbit dress sporran. This was the only time I ever wore ghille brogues. The photo was taken in 2007, just prior to a ball at the Duke of Gordon Hotel-Kingussie, in front of my relatives' B&B in which they own and operate in Kingussie, Inverness-shire, Scotland.


My personal piper? Matt Pantaleoni and I at a local St. Patrick's Day parade. I am wearing a plain red ancient tie made of wool (Lochcarron to ensure color matching with my kilt), and a plain white shirt-something I do not do very often anymore-somewhat boring! (a rare moment of me drinking cheap, American beer, brewed right here in my home town, St. Louis, Missouri-LOL! Hey, it was free! Off topic I know, but I typically enjoy a Belhaven Scottish Ale, or a nice dram of Glenmorangie.).

[creagdhubh]

Here are the final photographs. Thank you all for viewing! Slainte mhath!


Me at my parent's house wearing the Macpherson hunting ancient kilt, charcoal grey hose, black Mackie Balmoral with red toorie, L&M, 3 tassel leather sporran with silver studs on the flap portion, and a plain white shirt and black wool tie. Simple, yet quite smart in my opinion. Photo taken in 2007.


Me dancing the fling at a Burns' Night celebration-note the choice of pleating on my kilt, to the stripe.


Front view of me dancing. I was tired at this point-my head should be looking to my left!!! I know better!!! I tightened my sporran strap prior to dancing-sometimes I'll push to the left side of my hip, or remove it completely.


Another view of my attire with a portion of my heid cut off! LOL.


My lovely wife and I, the night I proposed to her.


A variety of cromach's and walking sticks at my great-uncle's (Lloyd Macpherson) home in Blackford, Scotland (Edinburgh).


Macpherson cousin, Bill Lee-Smith and I at a Clan Macpherson Association annual general meeting in California.

[thescot]

Man, now that's style and grace. Your outfits demonstrate wonderfully what I think of when I consider proper highland attire. Even the casual is quite casual without looking silly or tacky.

Concommitantly, your dressy is also quite dressy without appearing like a kilt rental commercial.

Good show, and thanks.

OK, Jock, where are you?

[BoldHighlander]

Very nice set of photos Kyle
Thanks for posting them

[thescot]

The only advice i could possibly offer--and you didn't ask for any, but, well, you know me :--is to find a burn for that bonnet and "jock" it real well.

Anyone emmulating your dress would look fine in anyone's book.

[creagdhubh]

Man, now that's style and grace. Your outfits demonstrate wonderfully what I think of when I consider proper highland attire. Even the casual is quite casual without looking silly or tacky.

Concommitantly, your dressy is also quite dressy without appearing like a kilt rental commercial.

Good show, and thanks.

OK, Jock, where are you?

Thank you for the kind comments, I appreciate them!

[creagdhubh]

Very nice set of photos Kyle
Thanks for posting them

Thank you for viewing them, hope you enjoyed the show so to speak! LOL!

[thescot]

You're going to have to stop. Some of us are feeling a little jonesy.

BTW, your bride is quite lovely and only adds to your overall look.

[creagdhubh]

The only advice i could possibly offer--and you didn't ask for any, but, well, you know me :P--is to find a burn for that bonnet and "jock" real well.

Anyone emmulating your dress would look fine in anyone's book.

Yes, you are quite correct with regards to my bonnets. I need to follow Jock's advice and get them broken in! Thank you!