A Viking Kilt!

**beloitpiper** · 22nd August 09, 10:01 AM

Originally Posted by Lissdan

I just want to remind you that the kilt and the tartan as such is not a Scottish “invention”. It was frequently used in Europe during the “Celtic” time and also used by Germanic and Scandinavian tribes up to around 1000.
The oldest tartan they have found is from southern Germany.
Of cause there is a special “Scottish Variation” that is the base of the to day kilt. That come with the Celts and stayed as a traditional wear up to the middle age’s and in some accepts a bit further into history.
The first known to wear a Clan kilt or clan tartan was actually a Viking. – Somerled.
The “ Kilt costume “ as it mostly looks to day and used on solemnly occasions (Jacket, Vest, Shoes) is actually a construction by a tailor in London during the 1600 with later development and made to fit the new gentry after the union of the crowns.
The tartan as such was forbidden after Bonny prince Charles attempt to take the crown of the United Kingdom.
(It was forbidden together with the pipes and the Episcopal Church with was the church that supported that revolt.)
When the ban was lifted around 1840 the Kilt Costume as we know it to day got its final formal character.
To day the kit has unfortunately lost it’s day to day were and has become more like something you were for the “show”
I suppose that is because it has become so formal and unpractical with its vests, jackets and shoes so only few brave men were the kilt and tartan in there ordinary day to day life.
That’s all for to day.
Keep the tradition!
Keep the Tartan and Kilt as a practical day to day were.
DAN

[citation needed]

Sorry, but until you provide sources for these far-out claims, I'm going to stick with the authorities.

http://albanach.org/kilt.html

**Zardoz** · 22nd August 09, 10:06 AM

**McClef** · 22nd August 09, 11:59 AM

Kilts may not be Viking but we have a few kilted ones now!

**NewPiperinNY** · 22nd August 09, 12:12 PM

I am somewhat impressed that a 4 year old thread has made a comeback!

**Geoff Withnell** · 22nd August 09, 08:28 PM

Originally Posted by McClef

Kilts may not be Viking but we have a few kilted ones now!

Indeed. Since all the men in my branch of the Withnell family are 6'+, broad and reddish gold haired, I believe we are descended, as my grandfather put it, from Vikings that stopped on West coast of the White Isle for supplies and left behind a genetic deposit. And since Withnell is a corruption of Willow Hill in Old Celtic, and with Davies, Kelseys and myriad other Celtic names in the mix, we are also Celtic. But that's not the reason I am a kilted Viking. I am a kilted Viking because I enjoy pillaging, and I enjoy it more when kilted!

Geoff Withnell