Good Readers of Scotland discussion

I'm intrigued by the plaids so I hope someone can answer a few questions :)

*How were the colours chosen?
*Are there any white or orange background plaids? You often see darker colours.
*Did the men wear a kilt and then a kind of blanket to cover themselves like a shirt/toga?
*Weren't they itchy?
*Is it true that they could be woven in such a way to repel water?
*What's the name of the little pouch worn in front of the plaid and what was usually kept in it?

Hi Eastofoz,

I can't answer all of your questions, but I know a little something about a couple of them. My DH owns an authentic historical Highland costume including great kilt.

"How were the colours chosen?"
According to Wikipedia, until the early 1800's it was merely personal preference, and it wasn't until that time that the various tartans started to be officially associated with a specific clan. You can read more about it here if you like: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tartan

"Did the men wear a kilt and then a kind of blanket to cover themselves like a shirt/toga?"

They wore a long shirt under the kilt that was multi-functional. It could be worn with the kilt or without or could be used as a nightshirt. The great kilt itself was also multi-functional. It was one huge piece of fabric (about 5 yards) that was pleated and belted at the waist with the remainder draped over the shoulder. That part over the shoulder could be wrapped around the upper body for warmth. The kilt was also a Highlander's blanket.

"What's the name of the little pouch worn in front of the plaid and what was usually kept in it?"

That would be the sporran. You could think of it as a Highlander's purse. They used it to carry money and any personal or survival items they might need, as well as food. It was also worn to provide a bit of modesty, as we all know what Highlanders don't wear beneath their kilts.;)

Hope I've been helpful.

Thanks for those answers Julie :) The 5 yard kilt must have been pretty heavy to lug around if it's all wool! What was it belted with? I'm figuring a rope and if that's it how didn't the fabric just slip out? I wonder if it gave a dissheveled look way back when? Were the kilts worn above the knee or well below? You always see them above the knee in book covers. Do you know why they wore a skirt and not pants like everyone else? It must've been cold on the legs(?)

I asked my DH about the weight. He hasn't worn his in a while, but he said he didn't remember it being noticeably heavy. The kilt was secured with a wide leather belt, and as far as I know it keeps everything in place fairly well. I'm not sure how they might have looked way back when, but my hubby looks very sharp in his kilt, as do all the men I've seen wearing them at Highland Festivals and Ren Faires, not disheveled at all (in fact quite HOT ).

The length of the kilt really depends upon height and how much is left above the belt for shoulder draping, but generally speaking it comes to about the knee. I'm not sure about any chill under the kilt, but they did wear knee-high stocking and/or knee-high leather boots which would have protected the lower part of the legs.

Here is an interesting article on Wikipedia about the history of the kilt that may answer more of your questions: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_...

Wow Julie you have your very own Highlander! What lovely eye candy you must get to wake up to in the morning :D Is your hubby's kilt just a long piece of material then or is it fashioned with pleats, hemming etc? I think all those kilt wearers look mighty fine when you see them on tv anyway ;) I didn't think that they'd wear boots--duh! They're certainly not going to be wearing sandals in Scotland (!) Thanks for the link!

Yeah, he's my Highlander and my medieval knight all wrapped up in one. He owns a suit of armor too, which he proposed in. I'm not sure if you've read it, but I told the story a couple of times over on Amazon. He's really a shy geek, but an all-around cool guy and I feel very lucky to have him.

DH's kilt is the one long piece of fabric. We have to pleat it ourselves which takes a loooong time. That's why he doesn't wear it often. I'm trying to talk him into wearing it for Halloween this year. I agree there's just something very irresistible about a man in a kilt.

Julie you just have to tell the proposal story because I never saw it on the Amazon boards! That must be quite the original proposal--and the romance.... (sigh sigh) :D

OK, I guess I can tell it again just for you.;) It's really a fairly simple story. We were both members of the Society for Creative Anachronism (SCA) at the time. He was sneaky enough to get me to dress up in the gown I was making, and he dressed in his suit of armor. He got down on one knee and proposed. Needless to say I was crying so hard I couldn't even say "Yes" for the longest time. It was pretty original and extremely romantic. I will admit though that being a left-brainer, he isn't given over to such grand romantic gestures frequently. In fact, that was the best one, and he's never been able to top it. Though when he puts his mind to it, he can come up with some nice things. In spite of that, he's a keeper anyway.;)

hi,
Sorry to interupt & add my wee bit but I agree that there is no better sight than a man in a kilt!(swoon) I also have my very own highlander! :D

I asked Hubby if his kilt is heavy to wear & he said "no & its not itchy either". He did say "that if a kilt is worn properly then when kneeling down the front of the kilt should sit an inch above the knee."
He also said that "the kilt socks(also wool) are very warm & that other bits dont get cold even if its blowing a gale of wind."

I hope this helps a wee bit & sorry again.

Julie: OMG I just melted into a puddle at your proposal story :) That is sooo sweet! You have to give those hubbies MAJOR credit when they not only do something so adorable but it's also original :D What a great memory that must be :) I had a friend of mine whose husband proposed to her in an elevator at a party--how "unmemorable" is that! He said he had been wanting to all weekend and just decided to jump in "mid-floor". He kicked himself later for not putting more thought in it.

Fiona: Hi! Thanks for the info. So you have a highlander hubby too I see --lucky duck :D

Being scottish and having a large family I have been to lots of wedding and most of the males all complain that they are far to hot to wear, and basically hate having to wear them.
But I guess to would if you ain't got no underwear on and its hot and sweaty, ick!

I used to wear a kilt and sporran many years ago, while I was a member of the Scouts. We even wore a Sgian Dubh in our sock. Not sure if that would be allowed these days though.

I thought it was great at the time and it was very comfortable.

I've got a kilt I put on for weddings too. It's not uncomfortable at all.

It's becoming more and more common for guys to wear rather than a morning suit. At least with a kilt you can be a bit individual - the suits are all very similar I think.

My sporran is made of plastic - my other half didn't want me using anything made from seal's skin. The sgian dubh is plastic too - a real one is probably classed as offensive weapon these days!

Gentlemen what's a "sgian dubh"--I'm guessing it's a dagger or something similar? How do you pronounce it?

Alan a sporran then is normally made of seal skin?

Would you say that even men under 40 wear the kilt for formal functions?

It's interesting that you say it's not itchy because wool is just naturally itchy isn't it? Of course you have baby wool but I'm assuming that the kilts aren't made of that.

Do you pass the kilt on through generations or is one custom made for you at a particular time in your life?

hiya,
A sgian dubh is a small dirk (knife) which is worn with the blade concealed in the socks with the handle sitcking out. You can still buy & wear real sgian dubh's.
Hubby bought one last year because he had his kilt made for our wedding, his sporron is made of deer skin though. I guess they can be made from just about anything really thease days!

Can't the "knife" slice your ankle when you walk ??!!

Hi East,

sgian dubh is pronounced "skee(a)n doo".

"Can't the "knife" slice your ankle when you walk ??!!"
The blade isn't very long, only about 3-3 1/2 inches (approx. 8-9 cm), and remember, the socks are tall.

According to Wikipedia, the sporran is usually made of leather or fur.

You're really getting me back into this fascinating subject. It's making me long to go to the Highland Games or something, but our next one won't be for nearly another year.:(

The sgian dubh is sheathed, too, which is quite handy. I don't think it would be very safe having a naked blade against your leg?

Interesting that people have been finding sporrans not made of seal skin - the shops around me all insisted that seal was the material used, and we had to do a fair bit of searching to find a sporran that was made of something else. I only bought the kilt a few years ago, but maybe demand has forced suppliers to look at alternatives. That would be good news.

As for who wears t'he kilt at formal functions: I get the sense that this is a 'new' tradition. Its more the younger guys who wear it, although some of the older men do as well. It seems to go down well with the ladies, too!

The sgian dubh literally means Black Knife as most of these dirks were black in colour. They tend to be fairly flat handled and easily slip into the top of your sock. I remember mine being quite small but with a polished deer bone handle so it was quite light in colour.

Thanks Julie, Alan and Allan for your info. I now know where to post when I read those Highlander historicals and have no idea what they're talking about :) And yes Alan I'd have to agree with you that there's nothing like a man in a kilt ;)(just take a look at some of these posts alone! LOL!)

Your not really supposed to use a real sgian dubh because it is illegal. you should use a plastic one.

All men at a formal function wear kilts usually in Scotland, My sisters wedding is coming up this year and my nephew who is will be 1 year old then is having a kilt.

I don't know of anyone who has a kilt that has been passed down. But then I know very few people who own thier own kilt, they usually hire.
You would get a kilt made when ever you wanted one really. There is no age or occation where it is custom to get a kilt made. At least not hear and now.

I don't know why people say that they are not itchy cause thats all I ever hear at weddings.

Always find kilts comfy enough. Have 2, wouldn't want to hire...don't go commando in another man's kilt.
The whole Highland dress thing is a product of 19th cent. romanticism though. From what I can gather the tartan worn was traditionally based on the colours available and affordable to the wearer. So the richer you were the more complex a tartan.
Regarding the "Sgian Dubh": I've heard that the "dubh" (black) refers to the fact that it could be hidden rather than the colour of the weapon. This meant that if you gave up your obvious weapons you still had a "hold out" if necessary.