Ghillie brogues - why the dislike and resentment..?

[OC Richard]

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These will be familiar to many on this forum, and this selection of pictures proves nothing - except, perhaps, that the idea of ghillie-brogues being a modern kilt-hire industry invention is unfounded.

To amplify your point, here are twelve instances of Ghillies being worn in Victorian times.

In contrast to the recent notion that Ghillies are piper-specific, only one of the subjects appear to be a piper.

Two men appear to have buckles affixed to the toes of their Ghillies. (These of course are entirely non-functional and are for decoration only.)

They're the earliest photos I have of Ghillies being worn, save for the photographic portraits of the Allen Brothers.



Now why do I say that the notion of Ghillies and pipers going hand-in-glove is recent? Because it is.

Here are pipers in 1950, only two are wearing Ghillies.