Scottish kilts

Gentlemen: A few weeks ago, while attending performances at the Stratford (Ontario) Festival, my wife and I visited MacLeod's Scottish goods shop. One of the clerks was wearing a solid black kilt--no tartan pattern, a black blouse, and all the usual kilt "trimmings"--sporran, belt, etc.... I had to admit it was a very "sharp" look. While I don't have a picture of that all black kilt, here is the website for MacLeods: MacLeods Have any of you ever worn a kilt? I had to once--at a wedding. (I am not Scottish, but my wife is.) At first, I had apprehensions, but it was fun. Of course, I was not the only one dressed in a kilt.

I hope you know that a true Scot is not supposed to wear anything under a kilt?

No, I've never found out if this is really true.

Yep, it's true. My coach is from Glasgow. There's actually a history lesson behind it; when there was a King on the Scottish throne, the men went commando, but when there was a Queen on the throne, they wore underwear, so not to offend her sensibilities. The last Scottish monarch before the unification was a King.

repurposing the thread for my own selfish ends: i need to buy a gift for my mom's birthday. she has said she wanted something in a tartan of one of her several ancestral scottish families. a scarf, sash, maybe a skirt/ladies' kilt. does anyone have experience with a 'stockist' (as they might say on the isles) they could recommend, in addition to the above MacLeod's link? thanks /andrew

My regiment's dress uniform -- I'm Canadian -- included a kilt. Wearing underwear -- if you were discovered -- would see you buy the entire regiment a beer in the mess. That meant, of course, marching on Remembrance Day with only a kilt...November is never warm in Ontario.

My wife's family are Scottish and according to her father, lowlanders who wear kilts are considered "tossers". If you have no Scottish blood yourself, don't even dream of wearing a kilt.

My wife's family are Scottish and according to her father, lowlanders who wear kilts are considered "tossers". If you have no Scottish blood yourself, don't even dream of wearing a kilt.

Click to expand...

You do realize that the Irish wore kilts as well, don't you? Historical research indicates that the Irish and Scottish (the Galeic ones anyway) essentially wore the same kilts until the 16th century. The Irish continue to have their own kilts to this day, though their historical pedigree is in question, and you can buy a number of tartans including St. Patrick, Connaugh, Munster and Leinster Green, among others.

Not that I have a dog in this debate, I'm not Irish or Scottish.

does anyone have experience with a 'stockist' (as they might say on the isles) they could recommend, in addition to the above MacLeod's link?

Click to expand...

There is one in Ballard (part of Seattle) whose name I cannot remember, but I have heard they are a pain to work with. (nb., hearsay)

And I seem to remember there being about five hundred thousand of them in Vancouver BC, for all the tourists to get their own tartan ties and kilts and such. Even if you are Japanese, your family has a tartan. Did you know that? Well, according to these shops anyway.

.... Well, according to these shops anyway.

Click to expand...

well then it must be true. maybe the japanese are the 'lost clan'. i think i've decided just to get "me mum" a sash in the MacFarlane tartan. having several branches of ancestry in scotland, she's got a range to choose from. (and thus i do as well.) if i still worked in san francisco i'd hop over to Hector Russell, but it's too much of a jaunt from the east bay. (just found out they have online ordering so maybe i'll do that.) /andrew

Quote:

Click to expand...

(MPS @ 21 Oct. 2004, 6:36) My wife's family are Scottish and according to her father, lowlanders who wear kilts are considered "tossers". If you have no Scottish blood yourself, don't even dream of wearing a kilt.
You do realize that the Irish wore kilts as well, don't you? Historical research indicates that the Irish and Scottish (the Galeic ones anyway) essentially wore the same kilts until the 16th century. The Irish continue to have their own kilts to this day, though their historical pedigree is in question, and you can buy a number of tartans including St. Patrick, Connaugh, Munster and Leinster Green, among others. Not that I have a dog in this debate, I'm not Irish or Scottish.
Plaid is a common Celtic design, but plaid is not the same thing as a kilt. The modern kilt is a shortened version of a garment worn by Scotts highlanders that was probably adapted about 350 years ago for those working in forges. Some say that the adaptation was performed by an Englishman. Whether or not the Irish wore kilts is still open to debate: this supposition is based primarily on the mistranslation of a gaelic word for "long shirt".

Plaid is a common Celtic design, but plaid is not the same thing as a kilt. The modern kilt is a shortened version of a garment worn by Scotts highlanders that was probably adapted about 350 years ago for those working in forges. Some say that the adaptation was performed by an Englishman. Whether or not the Irish wore kilts is still open to debate: this supposition is based primarily on the mistranslation of a gaelic word for "long shirt".

Click to expand...

All good points, though it wouldn't surprise me if both the Scottish and Irish wore largely similar garb (kilts and all) until the 16th-17th century.

Good God, I got myself into a debate on the history of the kilt

i think i've decided just to get "me mum" a sash in the MacFarlane tartan.

Click to expand...

My scotch/irish side is MacFarlane, and as of yet I am unaware of my Japanese side's tartan pattern.

re. the 'irish kilt' question: there is an abridged version of PW Joyce's 'Social History of Ancient Ireland' (1908) that includes a pretty well-researched contemporary commentary by Kass McGann, called 'No Irish Kilts'. here is the chapter on dress containing said commentary (scroll down to see it).

Hmmm, well, I'm not an expert in those languages, ha ha, so I'll have to go with McGann on this one. Well, I won't tell the lads at my Irish regiment that their dress uniform is based on a mistranslation, though

I am making custom kilts for everyday wear. Utility kilts are what they are called but they are mainly for men. You can visit my site at;

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php...ng_id=27406106

Women are welcome to wear them too. I do.

Kilts are the future of comfort.