Ghillie brogues - why the dislike and resentment..?

[Allan Thomson]

It is these differences that give us the clue to the appearance of Highlanders of old, and why they were remarkable. Footwear is usually mentioned, along with a description - a description which seems to have been used as the basis for the ghillie-brogue during the Revival era 200 or so years ago. If ghillies are not Scottish Highland, what are they?

Clearly you haven't looked properly or aren't widely enough informed or you would have realised the shoes which have inspired the modern ghillie brogues aren't unique to the Highlands, they were found in Scotland, Ireland, and Man.

Furthermore most portraits of highlanders contemporary with the 18th C or before show clearly those who could afford it tended to wear much the same shoe as their Lowland and English and continental contemporaries.

[Troglodyte]

Clearly you haven't looked properly or aren't widely enough informed or you would have realised the shoes which have inspired the modern ghillie brogues aren't unique to the Highlands, they were found in Scotland, Ireland, and Man.

Furthermore most portraits of highlanders contemporary with the 18th C or before show clearly those who could afford it tended to wear much the same shoe as their Lowland and English and continental contemporaries.

Why so aggressive and hostile?

I wonder if you have read my original post, because your insulting and provocative language suggests you either have not, or have failed to understand what was being asked. We would all find it more conclusive to sensible discussion if you were aware of what was being discussed, rather than launch straight into personal insult.

If you have been following this thread from the start, you will have realised early on that my query was to assess the like or otherwise of the ghillie-brogue - not to establish its antiquity or origin. All that I know full well, thank you.

So what have the portraits you mention have to do with anything? Nothing at all with this thread, unless you can find one with the sitter being quoted saying why he dislikes ghillies with his Highland dress, and thinks a modern city shoe far more preferable.

If you have a relevant comment to make, I, and I am sure others too, would be pleased to hear it, but please kindly leave anger and insult out of it.

[Father Bill]

Dear members,

The Forum Moderators have already received a flag on one post in this thread, and there is another which frankly surprises me inasmuch as it did not receive a flag.

Members are reminded kindly, to watch their choice of language and comments which might be perceived as denigrating other members.

It was suggested that this thread be closed, but we have chosen not to do so because it has contained considerable educational content.

Father Bill for the Forum Moderators

[Troglodyte]

Dear members,

The Forum Moderators have already received a flag on one post in this thread, and there is another which frankly surprises me inasmuch as it did not receive a flag.

Members are reminded kindly, to watch their choice of language and comments which might be perceived as denigrating other members.

It was suggested that this thread be closed, but we have chosen not to do so because it has contained considerable educational content.

Father Bill for the Forum Moderators

I am quite happy for you to close this thread - I had hoped for sensible and intelligent discussion, which has been received and welcome in the main, but, if rudeness and insult is the response from a small minority, action ought to be taken to spare the rest of us.

I feel that I have now had a fair and informative response to my query, and I see no reason for what has been said and discussed to provoke anger or personal abuse. The fact that it has is enough reason to end the discussion, I feel.

[Father Bill]

At the request of the original poster, we are closing the thread. It is sad to me that the behaviour of one or two members would trigger that request but I fully understand it, and that suggestion also came in the moderators' discussion.

Father Bill for the Forum Moderators.