History of the Kilt

[Hamish]

...............................even if rawlinson did invent the small kilt(with proof),most scots would ever admit to it.it's about time we all got over things that happened hundreds of years ago.
just wear your kilt.lets all just be friends.
brothers in kilts,no matter where you are from or what god you follow, or in what way you follow that god.just wear your kilt with pride.

Absolutely right, Phil!!!

I have little interest in the so-called history of the kilt (little of which can be proved) no more, in fact, than I have in the history of the shirt, the trousers, the socks or any other item of clothing!
The important thing to me is the garment I have hanging in my wardrobe, the garment I am wearing right now. Is it comfortable; does it suit me; am I offending anyone by wearing it, etc., etc?

Of course, I have pride in my ancestors (Scottish and English) but I know nothing about any of them beyond my own grandparents. My parents knew nothing of their families whatsoever - apart from what little their parents told them. Now, I have no living relatives and so, I know it sounds selfish but, I live for myself - for this moment. Naturally, I live also for my community and for my fellow men, but we are talking 'family' history here.

My kilts are for me, for today and tomorrow.

My origins have little or no bearing on what I choose to wear. I wear kilts (in every sense of that word) because they are supremely comfortable, because I believe they suit me, and because by being seen to be doing so, and talking about them, I might just help to convince some other men to call an end to their own trouser tyranny.

Ooops! Sorry, I didn't mean to 'go on' like that (but you know what I am like, once I get started!!!!)

[bubba]

I see from your smileys you are joking, it's a pity that most people who make commets like that are quite serious.

Absolutely I'm kidding. Those were brutal times everywhere and so very long ago. Sure, the English treated the Scots badly, but not in my lifetime or my fathers. The old feuds have no point any more. Why, even the Campbells and MacDonalds get along now and the MacGregors were forgiven!

[Robbie]

Much as I attempted to take my own advice and not respond to provocative statements (ie Rawlinson invented the little kilt), those who believe this myth may be interested in - although probably unwilling to accept - the following (taken from the Reconstructing History site):-

"Recent scholarship has, to the great delight of Highlanders everywhere, disproven that Rawlinson "invented" the feileadh beag. The Armorial Bearings of the Chief of the Skenes (1692) clearly shows a man wearing a feileadh beag. There are other depictions showing the feileadh beag prior to Rawlinson. Peter MacDonald, textile and costume adviser to United Artists for Rob Roy and advisor to the National Trust for Scotland and the Royal Scottish Museum writes: "To begin with, and this is perhaps the central point which has always been missed, the feileadh mor was formed from two pieces of cloth joined length ways. It is therefore not beyond the wit of man not to join them and this seems to have come into fashion in the latter part of the 17th century as socio-agricultural practices, and perhaps also the nature of warfare, changed."

Ergo, the little kilt was around long before Rawlinson was alleged to have "invented" it. Sadly, however, there are too many who still prefer the myth.

[macwilkin]

Hear, Hear gkoch, for your wonderful posting as to why some of us where the kilt -- that is exactly why I started wearing mine -- to form a tangible link to my family history -- that is why I am so traditional when it comes to how I wear my kilt -- it is a personal thing, as Hamish said, to display my pride in my ancestry.

Good on ya, mate!

T.

[zeytoun]

Just because blue jeans were invented during the california gold rush using fabric made in france (denim= de nimes) and popularized/idolized 100 years later on people like James Dean doesn't mean they aren't the quintissential/"historical" american item of clothing.

Nice posts everyone

[Blu (Ontario)]

... Ergo, the little kilt was around long before Rawlinson was alleged to have "invented" it. Sadly, however, there are too many who still prefer the myth.

These facts clearly show that the little kilt predated Rawlinson. Subjectively speaking, the Rawlinson story sounds too cute... like an urban legend.

[bubba]

idolized 100 years later on people like James Dean doesn't mean they aren't the quintissential/"historical" american item of clothing.

Nice posts everyone

Now that women have taken over jeans it almost feels like crossdressing to wear em.

[Graham]

I agree, let the wimmin have the jeans, they fought so long for them.

My wife always wears them when we go out, I am not keen so much. People keep telling me who "wears the trousers" in the house.

I say 'don't let the kilt fool you, I'm still in charge'

[bubba]

Graham, the who wears the pants in the family has become a standing joke with us. I usually clarify by saying I'm still the boss.....until my wife disagrees.

[phil h]

Much as I attempted to take my own advice and not respond to provocative statements (ie Rawlinson invented the little kilt), those who believe this myth may be interested in - although probably unwilling to accept - the following (taken from the Reconstructing History site):-

"Recent scholarship has, to the great delight of Highlanders everywhere, disproven that Rawlinson "invented" the feileadh beag. The Armorial Bearings of the Chief of the Skenes (1692) clearly shows a man wearing a feileadh beag. There are other depictions showing the feileadh beag prior to Rawlinson. Peter MacDonald, textile and costume adviser to United Artists for Rob Roy and advisor to the National Trust for Scotland and the Royal Scottish Museum writes: "To begin with, and this is perhaps the central point which has always been missed, the feileadh mor was formed from two pieces of cloth joined length ways. It is therefore not beyond the wit of man not to join them and this seems to have come into fashion in the latter part of the 17th century as socio-agricultural practices, and perhaps also the nature of warfare, changed."

Ergo, the little kilt was around long before Rawlinson was alleged to have "invented" it. Sadly, however, there are too many who still prefer the myth.

I hear this argument all the time.
lets see the proof, i don't want to just hear about it, lets see it.even if it was a little kilt, was it pleated, sewn and had straps on it,there must be lots of differend kilts, just like flared jeans differ from tuxedo pants.maybe rawlinson invented a certian type of small kilt, and is it not possible that 2 small kilts evolved in different places at different times,I dont think shoes was a linear thing, they where worn all over the world in various forms.maybe rawlinson invented it in his part of the world,maybe his computer was down and he was unaware of the fact there was already a small kilt.
P.S. what is the definition of a kilt?
does it have to be pleated, or tartan?
I'm talkin the old type kilt(small) now, not the modern kilt.
maybe it was the romans,or greeks or even the egyptions who invented the kilt.

and hamish! don't worry about ranting or going on, we all do it from time to time.
that's what this place is for, healthy debate and getting things off your chest.