Urgent shoe question

[KFCarter]

I've got a sporran I can lend you for the day. PM on its way.

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

Kilt. Hose. Shoes. Sporran. One more thing. Don't forget the sun screen.

[SFCRick]

Sometimes at games the ground is very dirty, wet or muddy, so even a pair of walking/ hiking/ crosstrainers can come in handy.

[billmcc]

Most piping competitions at Highland Games are held outdoors. So, you will probably be walking through grass, dirt and mud (if it has rained recently). Don't wear your best shoes. A comfortable pair of black leather shoes will be fine.

[Jock Scot]

Kilt. Hose. Shoes. Sporran. One more thing. Don't forget the sun screen.

Good advice there. Some people would consider that you would be "undressed" without the sporran when wearing a tartan kilt.It is your choice, but it is as well to know these things. Have fun!

[M. A. C. Newsome]

I'd be more concerned about the sporran than the shoes. Wearing a kilt without a sporran looks a bit odd, like you left the house half-dressed. :-) Plus you'll need somewhere to stash your wallet and keys. Ask your local Scottish community and see if anyone has a loaner. Otherwise, perhaps you can come prepared to purchase an inexpensive one when you get to the games first thing. (You know, even a fanny-pack would work in a pinch, assuming your dress is very casual, which from what you said your piping teacher told you, sounds like it is).

As for shoes, though, there is absolutely no requirement to wear ghillie brogues. Some long-time kilt wearers never wear them at all! As a general rule, any kind of shoe appropriate for the occasion will work, from formal dress brogue to hiking boots. If you are going to be outdoors, on your feet all day long, by all means wear something comfortable.

The shoes already described will all work fine, but I suspect you may have something in your closet already that will work fine for this weekend.

As a first-time kilt wearer dependant upon the "kindness of strangers" for loaner items, people should be more than willing to cut you some slack for your kilted debut. But while you are there keep an eye out for long-time kilt wearers whose outfits look well put together and be thinking about what you might want to acquire for yourself when it comes time for you to invest in your own outfit. (Which, as a piper, you will need to do).

[BEEDEE]

Stop by the Clan MacRae tent at 12:30 on Saturday, if you can, for an XMTS meet up.

Brian

[fluter]

You're right, all-day comfort is pretty key.

Wear whatever shoes will take best care of your feet.

I would not wear the organ shoes outdoors all day: you wouldn't want to scuff up the soles too much, or get them wet--- especially if you're playing Sunday! unless they are your most comfortable walking shoes.

I don't own a pair of ghillie brogues, and don't aspire to. However, I'd like some buckle brogues for formal wear...

[KiltedSoldier]

Good advise to me as well, I am sure I will wear sneakers (tennis shoes) of any kind, I go with Hiking boots and scrunched black or grey socks in my modern day look, AKA: Tuff/Punk look with Black Tartans or Gilly boots in my Renn faire, kilted Pirate look for all day wear, I have yet to go to a military function, but if my white class B shirt is worn, I am sure it will be my Patent leather oxfords. I am sure and like the idea of whatever works for you.

I always try for a Sporran, unless home or my kilts have pockets IE: Utilikilt or Ultimate Kilt (SK), but have pouches from my Ren Garb that works and doesn't look like a fanny pack

[Heming]

Your organ shoes are fine! Shine them, and you're ready to go.

Ask the pipe major if they have an extra sporran to loan you.