Boy Scout kilts

[Hamish]

Ken,

If nothing else, you are following in the footsteps of tradition with your Scout kilt-wearing. Lord Baden-Powell, who was World Chief Scout when I was a lad, as he was for many years, frequently wore the kilt as part of his Scout uniform.

Well done!

[Archangel]

Ken,

If nothing else, you are following in the footsteps of tradition with your Scout kilt-wearing. Lord Baden-Powell, who was World Chief Scout when I was a lad, as he was for many years, frequently wore the kilt as part of his Scout uniform.

Well done!

which leads to my question. I have a vague memory of there being a scout kilt. It was a long time ago but I'm almost positive. Maybe it was Baden-Powell's tartan.

[Archangel]

A quick look have two listed here: http://www.tartans.scotland.net/tart...cfm?startrow=1 One looks a bit like a lighter version of the shadow kilt, not bad.

[An t-Ileach]

When I was a Boy Scout, quite a few years ago, it was very common for Scouts to wear the kilt. I don't remember if there were a special tartan. I remember that Lord Rowallan, who took over from B-P, usually wore the kilt.

[James]

I think it is now defunct, but in the 50's there was certainly a kilted scout group in Finchley- North London.

Too I recall seeing pictures of kilted scouts attending a jamboree.

So there is certainly a precedent for scouts being kilted.

James

[tomcherv]

Actually, my first "non-costume" event for wearing a kilt will be my cub scout meeting. As the cubmaster, I have taken to wearing something especially appropriate to our monthly theme: i.e. Cub Scout Roundup - I will be wearing my jeans, cowboy boots, and cowboy hat.

Our November theme is "Our Family Tree", so even though I'm not Scottish, I'm planning to wear a kilt. 1) because it's fun, and 2) it's easily recognizable as a family heritage type item. It will be interesting to see the various reactions. (They shouldn't be too surprised, since they're used to me wearing something unusual. I wore my tuxedo for the 75th Birthday of Scouting event, and made a replica of a race car driver's suit for Pinewood Derby.)

I have a traditional 8 yd, pleated to the stripe, Black Stewart that I made about 11 years ago. Never quite finished it, and now that I've lost weight, I'm taking it in about 6 inches. My other kilt is a great kilt - it's a tartan weave, but I have not been able to identify the tartan.

[Alan H]

The Boy Scout manual for the UK lists alternative uniform items for UK scouts. For example, in Northern Ireland, the saffron kilt is an officialy recognized alternative to trousers.

http://histclo.hispeed.com/youth/you...o/scoutsco.htm

and

http://histclo.hispeed.com/youth/you...ir/scoutir.htm

...wherein you will find this bit of text:

***Some Irish Boy Scouts wear dark green or yellow saffron kilts for special outings like camping or in dancing comprtitions and of course Jamborees. ****

Finally, let's get to the meat of it.

http://www.netpages.free-online.co.uk/bbs/bbsbgs.htm

you will find this section.....

*********

11. KILTS.
11.1 Other than Ladies, Pre-Juniors, and Juniors (including Wolf Cubs) the following may wear the kilt with a plain leather sporran;
(a) Any Scout Officer holding any rank in the movement in Scotland, or Ireland.
(b) Any Scout Officer of Scottish or Irish descent (at least one Grand Parent of Scottish, or Irish Blood).
(c) Members of any Troop/Group in Scotland or Ireland, provided all wear the Kilt.
(d) Members of any Troop/Group where all the members are of Scottish or Irish descent (at least one Grand Parent of Scottish, or Irish Blood) and provided all wear the Kilt.
11.2 Those entitled to wear the Kilt may also wear, as an alternative headgear, a Khaki Bonnet. Similarly Rover Scouts may wear a navy blue balmoral.

***********

I'm sure that James and others could tell us about Boy Scout groups who have worn the kilt, and probably have memories of doing so themselves, when they were lads.

[iang]

When the "top officials" were consulted about wearing the kilt, which country are we talking about?

I do not think that BP ever wore a kilt. In his time the use of a kilt was used only in the military or by the highland Scots. Not even lowland Scots would wear one.

BP would under no circumstances wear a military kilt as this would be donning the uniform of a regiment that he had never served in. As BP was a great respecter of regiments in the British army he would never have worn a military kilt.

BP mentioned Scots often but never as assuming anything of them. He mentioned that the Scots scouts may wear kilts but that was because he respected their heritage.

His best friend in his life was a MacLaren (The Boy) and if he was in the possesion of a kilt he would have gotten it from him. This MacLaren is the one who was with him at Brownsea, not the one who donated Gilwell.

I would be very grateful to anyone who can provide me with a picture of BP in a kilt or provide written evidence that he ever wore on.

Iang

[Bog Trotter]

Hey Ken NYG, That's fantastic! I'm a District Executive for our council here in Charleston, W.V. and my bonnet goes off to you. I think this is great for the scouting movement. In fact, I hope to wear my kilt to some upcoming scouting events. Keep up the good work.

[Skinner]

Thats really cool. I have a olive green canvas kilt I wear with my scout uniform...