Highlanders Discuss Highland Attire

[Jock Scot]

Well, just so those that might want to put a face to a name, here is my "old faithful" picture of "Jock" in his everyday kilt attire. It is what it is, not posed, not dressed up, just me after a bit of a stroll around the patch.OOOPS I seem to have lost the original picture in a re-organisation of my pictures, Sorry.Have another one.



Jock after a wee stroll on New Years day.

[M. A. C. Newsome]

Looking very dapper, Jock! I wish we saw more men in similar dress at Highland Games and like gatherings here on this side of the pond.

[Jock Scot]

Thank you Matt. Considering the weather that you have over there in your summers, my sort of outfit may be asking a bit too much!

[Redshank]

where's your bonnet Jock ?

in line with Jock's post, here is one of me at my work, company fleece,shirt and tie are the only part of the issued uniform that I wear

[Jock Scot]

where's your bonnet Jock ?

Er, um, well, um, ah, oh, well, crumbs! In truth, no idea!

[JSFMACLJR]

In Victorian times and most certainly before then the TARTAN kilt was the preserve of those with money and far from the reach of the common man.There was precious little "ploughing and sewing" going on by the side of Loch Laggan,or anywhere else in the HIGHLANDS most of it is rock, water or bog. The people living in these areas in that time were at the very bottom of the pay scale, such as it was, and just surviving to the next day was a major achievement. If by some miracle a tartan kilt fell into the hands of the common man, I know for damn sure it would not used for working with the sheep! No more so than the 8 yard knife pleated kilt kilt of today would be, and surprise surprise they are not.

It was very common in the west Highlands and the Isles for men to strip naked when engaged in their labours, to preserve their clothing and increase its longevity. This fact has been referenced in many original sources, including kirk session reports, diaries of travellers, etc. Jo Currie's excellent history, Mull, the Island and Its People, certainly discusses how the abject poverty of the region ( in pre-Victorian times ) influenced the day-to-day dress of the Muileach.

[Micric]

Jock,
you look very smart in your tweeds and kilt,...no signs of gingerbread!

We used to tie our trousers below the knee with binder twine so they didn't drag on the knee when digging, etc, (handling bags of corn)
This is one advantage the kilt definitley has,...No dragging on the knees,...even when wet!

[Tobus]

It was very common in the west Highlands and the Isles for men to strip naked when engaged in their labours, to preserve their clothing and increase its longevity.

I've read this too. They would shed the kilt and simply tie their shirt tails (long tunic-style shirt tails) in a knot between their legs. This doesn't seem to have made its way into the romantic portraits.

[davidlpope]

Thanks Jock and Redshank for the photos, and to all those who have provided information. This helps immensely to understand the overall manner in which the kilt is worn.

Can you provide specific guidance about what types of sporrans (color, design, etc.) that you see others wearing in the Highlands? What about hose and flashes? Is it a mix of self-tie and elastic/sewn-down tabs?

I notice that both Jock and Mr. MacLean are wearing regimental neckties? (Guards Brigade, Jock?). Is this type of neckwear common or do you see more solid color ties which match colors in one's kilt?

Cordially,

David

[billmcc]

There is an elderly gentleman living in the town where I work...he wears a proper sporran (his words, he doesn't like formal sporrans "you can't get your stuff in them")

Redshank,

What does he consider a "proper sporran"?