looking for advice: Presenting the kilt to Cub Scouts

[Nighthawk]

Developmentally, that is a pretty wide age group (2nd-6th grade?), so I would use a multi-sensory approach, visual, auditory, tactile. Talk a little about who, what, where, why and how, and support it with pictures and samples of tartan, sporran, and even a kilt, if you have an extra, for them to see and feel.

Don't forget your sgian dubh, and it's true history (utility knife used by hunters/gamekeepers), not the knife hidden under the arm pit story. Scouts should appreciate a good knife!

Good luck!

With that in mind, here's an essay I wrote recently that may be of help with the sgain dubh part of the discussion:

"THE SGIAN DUBH



The modern day sgian dubh is inspired by history, myth and misinterpretation. The Gaelic word Sgian means knife, and dubh means black. Sgain dubh translates, then, as “black knife.” The “black” may refer to the fact that it was a hidden knife or a concealed weapon, but could also be attributed to the fact that many were made from bog oak, which had a very dark, almost black appearance.

The modern sgain dubh tends to have an extremely ornate handle, with scabbard being accented in silver, pewter or gold. The blades have no edge, and are sometimes jokingly referred to as “knife like objects” with blunt points and dull edges. The less expensive ones are often made in Pakistan, and while the Pakistanis are excellent metal workers and craftsmen, vendors seldom disclose the actual metal content in their less expensive blades. But the bottom line is, with Highland wear, you get what you pay for. Our sgain dubhs are made in Scotland, by Scottish craftsmen, and while they are sold blunt in keeping with the laws of the United Kingdom, they have quality blades that hold their edges quite well, once sharpened. I know this from experience- I use one on a daily basis.

So why the ornate scabbards? Once you tuck it into the top of your kilt hose, you can’t see anything other than the hilt or handle! Well, the way I see it, simply wearing something beautiful gives one a sense of pride, even if no one else knows it’s there. But if you’re looking for a more in-depth answer to the question of why, it dates to the Victorian period of fashion excess. The dirk, or Scottish short sword, was a knife the size of a North American bowie knife. The dirk was standard issue to Scottish soldiers, with very ornate and elaborate dirks being issued to officers. The officer’s sgain dubh was designed to mirror his dirk, and therefore was as elaborate and ornate.

The Sgian Achlais

The modern day sgain dubh is the evolution of the sgian achlais. The term sgian achlais means “arm pit dagger” or sleeve dagger. As the name implies, the sgian achlais was most often concealed in the folds of the great kilt underneath the armpit, or hidden in the sleeve, used for close combat. Often, if a Highlander had a targe, the round leather covered wooden Scottish shield, a sgian achlais would have been attached to the back of the targe in a permanently attached sheath. A good descripion of the sgian achlais was written by George Alexander in his work “A Topography of Great Brittan”. The key word in all historical accounts is the word “dagger.” All old accounts called the sgian achlais a dagger; not a knife. A dagger is described as a double edge weapon for stabbing or thrusting in close combat. A knife is described as a single edged utility tool for skinning game, cutting bread, etc. I personally use mine for gutting fish and as a general utensile when camping. This accounts for the filework on the false edge of the blade, representing damage from the days when the sgain dubh may have been a utilitarian, and not decorative, knife.

So why is it that the sgain dubh is worn in the top of the kilt hose? Well, the Scots of the Highlands were a very warlike people. If you couldn’t see the Highlander’s knife, it should make you suspicious. It means that he’s still got it- but it’s hidden, which begged the question- what is his intent? Having the weapon on display was a symbolic way of stating “I bare you no ill will. You can trust me.” But this refers to the sgian achlais and not the present sgian dubh. The present sgian dubh is most likely a Victorian idea. The modern tradition is a holdover from the sgian achlais."

Also, I wear a kilt around the boys in Scout Troop 527 all the time. It took them all of one Tuesday night meeting to get used to it. They were all very curious, I told them about it, and that was it!

[Kilt-alope]

for cub scouts I would recommend you buy a few yards of plaid cloth from your local fabric store (don't worry about what tartan) so that 1 of the boys can volunteer to put on a great kilt. you can walk him through how the stripes in the pattern made it much easier to pleat it evenly with everything spread out on the ground then have him use his scout belt to put it on.

http://www.garbtheworld.com/pgs/foldkilt.html

[MichaelPHahn]

Tried to send my comments before, but messed up, so you might see this twice.

You can tie scouting in with the clans, specifically MacLarens and Wood Badge (adult training) See the "Scouting" link at http://www.clanmaclarenna.org/ . Ask any Wood Badge trained adult in your pack if you can borrow their neckerchief - it includes a MacLaren Modern tartan swatch.

Thank you for investing in the boys!!!

[Lallans]

I merely wanted to see your sources that the kilt's origin was from warfare

I would skip the warfare origins, even if the Scouts are organized in a paramilitary fashion, and just go with the Scottish Scout connection. The link below talks about kilts and Scouts in detail:

http://histclo.com/youth/youth/org/s...o/scoutsco.htm

Did I say that the origin of the kilt was from warfare? My, that was careless of me; I meant to say that the history of mankind is one of warfare and that Scotland has an extra plentiful load of history in that regard. Also, that boys are boys and in their natural state not particularly given to political correctness, further based on my notion as learned from experience that anyone approaching them that way is instantly spotted for a phoney and/or an imposer of goodietwoshoesism.

[lukeyrobertson]

I have worn my kilt to a Scout banquet commemorating Baden Powell (Scout uniform and kilt). A fellow scouter and I have also worn our kilts to our Cub section meeting as part of a heritage and national dress night. At our Cub meeting we answered questions about the sgian dubh, the kilt and the roles it has played as Scotland's national traditional dress... very simple and brief. Of course, lots of facination about the sgian dubh. We spoke in general terms of its purpose for self defense and skinning while out hunting.

I have been looking for a photo of Baden Powell kilted. The only reference I can find in print (no photo) is the description of him in a leopard's kilt of traditional South African orgin. I have not found any evidence of him wearing a highland kilt (remembering of course, he was not a highlander). But if anyone on the form does find a photo of BP in a highland kilt, that would be a real find for me.

There is one Scout Troop in Calgary that is kilted. It is rooted in a Calgary tradition with highland origins and they have received special permission from Scouts Canada to wear the kilt as part of their uniform.

So, in terms of tartan day, I think the better way to go is to make the connection with the day, the highland tradition, and the purpose and history of the kilt as regimental and civilian dress. The boys will be intrigued and you will have a wonderful outing!

[EagleJCS]

I've given a couple of presentations to Cub Scouts (and I even have a handout) on kilts, bagpipes and National Tartan Day. (I'm a piper.) Try to keep it short - attention span at the Cub Scout age is right about 10 minutes, at most.

We've been through the US Scouts and kilts discussion a few times here, so I'll not get into that. (Search is your friend).

Re: B-P in a kilt. I don't believe there are any published photos of him in a Highland kilt. Shorts: yes. American Indian headdress: yes.

[Dale Seago]

for cub scouts I would recommend you buy a few yards of plaid cloth from your local fabric store (don't worry about what tartan) so that 1 of the boys can volunteer to put on a great kilt. you can walk him through how the stripes in the pattern made it much easier to pleat it evenly with everything spread out on the ground then have him use his scout belt to put it on.

http://www.garbtheworld.com/pgs/foldkilt.html

I think this is a wonderful idea!!

Although:

"Here are instructions on how to fold your great kilt - which is 7 plus yards of plaid."

Well, no, at least not in terms of the fabric length once the two pieces were sewn together. In any case, for the lads I'd keep it to at MOST 4 yards of double-width fabric; lads that age, maybe only 3 yards.

[BroosterB1]

Not much more to add here; my scouting days were over before my kilting ones began. That said, cubs love things that are seen as manly and "cool", so references to the warrior nature of the highland dress is sure to get a "sick" comment.

As will the sgian dubh, cubs just love knives, first thing a webelos goes after on a camp out is the Toten-chip. Here is a tip, keep your presentation short but informative, then ask them for questions and comments. If you mix in the bit about the great kilt, don't be surprised if you get several takers.

Good on you for working with the boys, they all deserve it!

ith:

[DesertCeltic]

I have worn kilts to a number of Pack and Den activities (I am a den leader). You will get questions about them, but after a few events they accept them. My eight year old has three and he wears them too. I have overheard a number of boys asking their moms if they could get a kilt and it certainly helps to see a boy of their age wearing one.

[Kilted Jeeper]

WOW everyone! I really appreciate all the info. I'm hoping to have my presentation put together soon. I'll be giving the presentation on a Pack camping trip this weekend so I'm sure the weather will be playing a role in my final draft.