Kilts and Covenanters

[Dung Trumpet]

The Pipers were certainly kilted in the C20th but would not have been, if indeed there were pipers in the regiment, in the late 1600s.

It's also worth pointing out that by 'kilt' we're really talking about the bleted plaid at that time.

Good point, well made, as the pipe band in its modern sense only came about in the 1860s, I believe.

Anyhow, here's the disbanding parade in its entirety from 1968.

[MacRobert's Reply]

Here is the link to the painting of the kilted ancient in the bottom right hand corner: http://www.bbc.co.uk/arts/yourpainti...s-kirkyar93072

.. or has he just worn holes in the knees of his breeks through ardent prayer?

[Nathan]

Here is the link to the painting of the kilted ancient in the bottom right hand corner: http://www.bbc.co.uk/arts/yourpainti...s-kirkyar93072

.. or has he just worn holes in the knees of his breeks through ardent prayer?

Do you know if this was painted by contemporaries or was it a later imagining?

[Phil]

Do you know if this was painted by contemporaries or was it a later imagining?

It was a later imagining, painted c. 1838. If you look at the Google images link I posted earlier you will see it there. The ancient in question looks very much like he has worn the knees out of his p@nts, certainly not a kilt.

[Phil]

Here are the pictures from Google images -
- this one painted in 1903 and this one in 1838 - -. I presume the artists did their homework for the costumes of the period.

[Phil]

If you ever have the chance to visit Greyfriars churchyard in Edinburgh, never mind Disney's Greyfriars Bobby, there is much history of the Covenanters there. Here is the memorial stone - ( - © Copyright kim traynor and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence

[Hopper250]

It looks to me like he's wearing breechs with older style stockings (not sure of the proper term but they were seen often in summer among poorer individuals to save on shoes and socks.)

[tripleblessed]

Where there's controversy, there's probably a Campbell near. While as noted above, the Covenant tended to lead
to somber garb, some Campbells might have worn kilts. Might. The only portrait I recall of the Marquess himself had
him in a somber, to US eyes very Puritan outfit. Don't recall offhand where I saw that. The average member of the
clan COULD have dressed differently.

Elsewise, good to see the OP's user name. Too much absent.

[JonathanB]

If you are interested in the Covenanters, read Walter Scott's Old Mortality.

[Hothir Ethelnor]

Thanks for the replies. I am of course looking for primary sources, original paintings or text excerpts but also a general feeling of the era isn't a bad place to start.

I have gotten a few early volumes on the Covenanters which I am beginning to comb through for wardrobe cues.