Interesting letter

**Jock Scot** · 17th October 07, 08:35 AM

Whilst clearing a heap of junk from my office I came accross a letter that some of you may be interested in.It was wriiten by a Mr.Charles Edmond from Argyll and the letter was published in the Scottish Field magazine in Oct 2002.
My words in brackets.

Are Kilts Too Long?

Why is it that post war(WW2) wearers of the kilt seem to have developed a tendency to have them made, and worn, far too long?I have worn the kilt regularly since schooldays some 70-odd years ago, and we were instructed always to have the kilt worn at least an inch, to an inch-and-a-half above the kneecap, and to allow five-and-a-half inches between the top of the stockings and the bottom of the kilt. In short, we always had to have five to six inches of leg showing, or if you knelt down on the floor, one-and-a-half inches clear should always be seen.

One only needs to look, however, at today's wedding photographs to see how trollopy some kilt-wearers look with kilt and stockings almost meeting each other.

Does this phenomenon arise because the kilt makers of today's generation have not themselves been properly brought up in the wearing of the kilt, or simply don't know what is correct? Or does it arise from the fact that the kilt is no longer an obligatory garment at school, or in some of the armed forces, or what used to be the OTU(Officers Training Unit) where we were all obliged to wear the kilt? What a pity we can't get it right.C.E 2002

Food for thought,perhaps?

**McMurdo** · 17th October 07, 08:48 AM

A very interesting letter indeed, thank you for sharing it with us. Funny though, my Aunt from Coatbridge swears that my kilts are too short, and they are at the top or above my knee for the most part. She swears they should reach mid knee, to each their own I suppose.

**beloitpiper** · 17th October 07, 08:58 AM

I've seen a lot of people wearing kilts low, and they accuse me of wearing too high! Keep in mind, according Mr. Edmond, my kilts are too short (they go to the top of my knee).

**Jock Scot** · 17th October 07, 09:04 AM

Originally Posted by McMurdo

A very interesting letter indeed, thank you for sharing it with us. Funny though, my Aunt from Coatbridge swears that my kilts are too short, and they are at the top or above my knee for the most part. She swears they should reach mid knee, to each their own I suppose.

Your Aunt's comment is what I would expect a lowland Scot (no offence meant)to say.I don't want to start up a "Kilt myth" thing here and most certainly I don't want to start up a Highland v Lowland type discussion,but I have always been led to believe(rightly or wrongly)that as the kilt was origonally Highland attire, the kilt used to be(still is?) worn higher, in the Hghlands, than the lowland Scots do.

**Nighthawk** · 17th October 07, 11:24 AM

Personally, living in a mountain climate, I like them a little longer. They're warmer that way.

**kiltedsawyer** · 17th October 07, 11:35 AM

Sounds like this discussion has been going on a long, long time.

**Tattoo Bradley** · 17th October 07, 12:13 PM

Originally Posted by beloitpiper

I've seen a lot of people wearing kilts low, and they accuse me of wearing too high! Keep in mind, according Mr. Edmond, my kilts are too short (they go to the top of my knee).

Actually, by Mr. Edmond's statements, he would consider your kilts too long. He states they should be 1 - 1.5" ABOVE the knee cap. Your's coming to the top of the knee would be longer.

**Hamish** · 17th October 07, 04:48 PM

Originally Posted by Jock Scot

.................................................. .....
One only needs to look, however, at today's wedding photographs to see how trollopy some kilt-wearers look with kilt and stockings almost meeting each other.
.................................................. ........................................

Why did he stop at wedding photographs, I wonder? It certainly applies at other times too, and is one of my pet peeves. "Trollopy" is the perfect word to describe how dreadful long kilts look.

**ccga3359** · 17th October 07, 05:05 PM

Originally Posted by Jock Scot

I don't want to start up a Highland v Lowland type discussion,but I have always been led to believe(rightly or wrongly)that as the kilt was origonally Highland attire, the kilt used to be(still is?) worn higher, in the Hghlands, than the lowland Scots do.

It's an optical illusion, the kilts are acually the same lengt but because the Highlanders are actually higher that the Lowlanders they just appear shorter!

Originally Posted by Mr Edmond

One only needs to look, however, at today's wedding photographs to see how trollopy some kilt-wearers look with kilt and stockings almost meeting each other.

Could this be that it's because they are not regular kilt wearers and owners but are mearly renters for the occasion? Aside from that yes, even bespoke kilts are worn "long" (top to midknee). I've ordered two kilts thus far asking for top of the knee and I've been stopped and questioned if I really want that length. I don't know if I'd actually be comfortable with 1½" above the knee. Also I don't think i've ever been called "trollopy" before! i though only women could be trollops.

**McMurdo** · 17th October 07, 07:20 PM

Originally Posted by Jock Scot

Your Aunt's comment is what I would expect a lowland Scot (no offence meant)to say.I don't want to start up a "Kilt myth" thing here and most certainly I don't want to start up a Highland v Lowland type discussion,but I have always been led to believe(rightly or wrongly)that as the kilt was origonally Highland attire, the kilt used to be(still is?) worn higher, in the Hghlands, than the lowland Scots do.

No offense taken. My Dad, from Aberdeen has never accused them of being too long. I must say I completely agree with what you have said.