Highlanders Discuss Highland Attire

**ThistleDown** · 28th February 10, 04:16 AM

Chris, MacRobert: will we wait on Jock's second installment before comment?

**creagdhubh** · 12th March 10, 08:52 AM

Originally Posted by Jock Scot

Well here goes, on this new venture of David's. I was wondering what else there was to say about the kilt, because it has all been said before, many times probably. So there I was sat by the fire, a glass of fine scotch to hand, in my old home, thinking to myself that nothing has changed in the few months that I have left to my newish, draft free,damp free, warm, dustless(almost!) new home. Then I started to note subtle changes! At first I did not like it, but then reality struck me smack between the eyes, things change, not always for the better, but it is inevitable that things move on and my son has every right to have his house as he wants it.

The thought then occurred to me that the same thing has happened to the kilt in my lifetime, some good and some not so good. Anyway next thing that happened was a crowd 30 or so of youngsters arrived, aged between 16 and perhaps 30 all dressed up in their finery ready for an evenings fun. What a sight to behold! Pretty ladies ,some of them dressed in not a lot, and the chaps, to a man dressed, in the kilt! Apparently this was the gathering place for this new idea of getting a coach(a smart bus) to go to a ball(not drinking and driving is taken very seriously over here).

Well, rest assured that the future of the kilt is safe in those youngsters hands. Yes there was the odd thing that made me wince, but two things struck me and pleased me. Not one, I repeat, NOT ONE kilt was being worn below the centre of the knee, most being worn at the top of the knee cap and NOT ONE pair of white hose to be seen. Those things alone struck me as interesting, where did they learn this?Their parents, family, hire company(rest assured that there were hired outfits there). In the course of the next half an hour or so I was able to find out more.

Part two to follow in a wee while.

Very interesting and intriguing story. You pose a very good question. I look forward to the second half.

**MacBean** · 28th February 10, 08:08 AM

Yes, I had thought to start the exact same thread topic addressed to the same group, based on the same prior discussions about Rocky's new tweed kilt suit. After reading Jock's comments about the tweed suit, a copy of the recommended "All About Your Kilt" (an American book) arrived, with a photo on the back cover with several of Queen Victoria's Ghillies wearing tweed kilts, and the late William H. Johnstone wearing a kilt suit of his estate tweed (p. 24). I don't mean to contradict, but rather to point out that Americans, even those doing careful research, may turn up idiosyncratic examples of dress, and have difficulty discriminating between those and what is the norm today in the highlands. Take jacket epaulets for example. My own tweed jacket has epaulets, but it was made in the 50s. I don't think I would ask for them were I to buy a jacket today.

I think I would also like to hear a bit from native Scots (and particularly highlanders), about how they experience Americans playing fast and loose with their traditions, which may bear upon their points of view. I recently attended a rather festive four-day celebration in Inverness, dressed in a suit (with clan tie). I felt much more comfortable doing that than making a fool of myself in an inappropriately worn kilt.

**Redshank** · 28th February 10, 08:22 AM

Originally Posted by MacBean

I think I would also like to hear a bit from native Scots (and particularly highlanders), about how they experience Americans playing fast and loose with their traditions, which may bear upon their points of view. I recently attended a rather festive four-day celebration in Inverness, dressed in a suit (with clan tie). I felt much more comfortable doing that than making a fool of myself in an inappropriately worn kilt.

The answer to this question is impossible, as there are those that will feel flattered that an American would want to wear a kilt, as well as those who see the kilt wholly as the preserve of the Scottish, opinions would differ greatly, pretty much the same opinions as you are already faced with in the States I expect.

Sorry I can only give my personal opinion to that question, and my opinion might inflame some and soothe others, but basically, I am ok with Americans or any nationality wearing the Kilt, as long as it's worn with respect and in a right and proper manner.

**mull** · 1st March 10, 06:08 AM

Jock wrote
"We used to have many Americans come to shoot and fish here and on the whole they tried very hard to fit in. Sometimes it was very hard to persuade them that kilts were not worn on the hill,or by the river or even as every day wear."

That's me!

I have this belief, (Now seriously challenged) that the kilt is an outdoor garment. A rugged piece of wool that stood between a man and the elements in a wild, beautiful enviorment. I have worn it hiking and working the dogs out in the snow and wind and it performed prefectly. It seems it should be up on the hills, along with the pipes, in open air.

The one place it does not seem to fit to me in indoors, when sitting.

Now I find that I am completely wrong, and that in it's birthplace, the kilt is worn only as party clothes?

This is a great, informative, although disturbing thread.
Joe

**MacLowlife** · 28th February 10, 08:37 AM

Thank you gentlemen, let's keep this ball rolling- and if anyone can manage to get Jock drunk enough to put that hemp kilt on him for a picture. let's just say the rewards will be substantial - and put up in corked bottles.

**Jock Scot** · 28th February 10, 08:56 AM

Originally Posted by MacLowlife

Thank you gentlemen, let's keep this ball rolling- and if anyone can manage to get Jock drunk enough to put that hemp kilt on him for a picture. let's just say the rewards will be substantial - and put up in corked bottles.

Well you can try!

**creagdhubh** · 14th March 10, 06:17 AM

Originally Posted by MacLowlife

Thank you gentlemen, let's keep this ball rolling- and if anyone can manage to get Jock drunk enough to put that hemp kilt on him for a picture. let's just say the rewards will be substantial - and put up in corked bottles.

HAHAHA!!! Well said!

**Jock Scot** · 28th February 10, 08:45 AM

Originally Posted by MacBean

Yes, I had thought to start the exact same thread topic addressed to the same group, based on the same prior discussions about Rocky's new tweed kilt suit. After reading Jock's comments about the tweed suit, a copy of the recommended "All About Your Kilt" (an American book) arrived, with a photo on the back cover with several of Queen Victoria's Ghillies wearing tweed kilts, and the late William H. Johnstone wearing a kilt suit of his estate tweed (p. 24). I don't mean to contradict, but rather to point out that Americans, even those doing careful research, may turn up idiosyncratic examples of dress, and have difficulty discriminating between those and what is the norm today in the highlands. Take jacket epaulets for example. My own tweed jacket has epaulets, but it was made in the 50s. I don't think I would ask for them were I to buy a jacket today.

I think I would also like to hear a bit from native Scots (and particularly highlanders), about how they experience Americans playing fast and loose with their traditions, which may bear upon their points of view. I recently attended a rather festive four-day celebration in Inverness, dressed in a suit (with clan tie). I felt much more comfortable doing that than making a fool of myself in an inappropriately worn kilt.

I am not sure that I know the pictures you are talking about, but I rather suspect that they illustrate, perfectly, the "theory and practice" phenomenon that I keep banging on about. No one in their right mind goes stalking or ghillie-ing wearing the kilt! I can think of a two word reply from the stalkers that I know and used to employ if I suggested they wore a tweed kilt and the second word would be "OFF". It may have been romantic in Victorian times to have your staff clad in estate tweed kilts, but common sense soon prevailed and estate tweed plus 4's soon replaced the kilt. As it still does today for that line of work. In my nearly seventy years on this planet have I have only known one stalker wear a tweed kilt out stalking and with the greatest respect to him, he was mad; and I have known more than a few stalkers in my time.

We used to have many Americans come to shoot and fish here and on the whole they tried very hard to fit in. Sometimes it was very hard to persuade them that kilts were not worn on the hill,or by the river or even as every day wear. One insisted on wearing his very expensive brand new kilt out stalking. ----------he only did it once. I have had the same experience with a chap(not an American) going fishing, against local advice, wearing the kilt------he only did it the once! Forget those old romatic books, forget those old romantic pictures they prove very, very little.

If you think the kilt is a good idea up there, then think again!

----and again!

I claim no credit for the pictures.