Who wears a Kingussie Pleated kilt?

[Iain Robb]

Some pics of the original Kingussie kilt here (the one Matt's pattern, via Bob Martin, is based upon):

http://www.cuillinn.com/repro.html

Wow, I love the tartan coat in those photos! The photos left me wishing I had a head-on view to answer two questions:

1) How far up does the actual kilt go?

2) Is there a tartan waistcoat as well?

Anyone know where there may be a front view photo of this historical ensemble?

[Ryan Ross]

Wow, I love the tartan coat in those photos! The photos left me wishing I had a head-on view to answer two questions:

1) How far up does the actual kilt go?

2) Is there a tartan waistcoat as well?

Anyone know where there may be a front view photo of this historical ensemble?

I can't say about the waistcoat, but I've taken a look at Bob Martin's exact reproduction of the Robertson kilt, and it does have a pretty high rise. According to Bob, it was made selvage to selvage, with 25 inch wide cloth, THEN a 2&3/8 inch wide waistband was added. As a side note, it's made in hard tartan.

I have never seen a head on picture of this kilt suit, but I feel sure that Bob must have one... somewhere.

[Jock Scot]

I'd love to own one someday. Does anyone know how to pronounce Kingussie?

Well yes you chaps are very nearly right.The locals pronounce it ever so slightly differently. King-oo-see with the "G" almost but not quite silent.Yes it is a very nice little town just off the A9 road to Inverness from Perth.

[Tartan Hiker]

Well yes you chaps are very nearly right.The locals pronounce it ever so slightly differently. King-oo-see with the "G" almost but not quite silent.Yes it is a very nice little town just off the A9 road to Inverness from Perth.

Thanks Jock.

[Ryan Ross]

Well yes you chaps are very nearly right.The locals pronounce it ever so slightly differently. King-oo-see with the "G" almost but not quite silent.Yes it is a very nice little town just off the A9 road to Inverness from Perth.

Ah, many thanks. Sadly, I've never had the opportunity to hear a Kingussie native say the word... I wonder if the Kingussie JCs have put any tourist videos on youtube? I might have to check that out.

[Iain Robb]

I can't say about the waistcoat, but I've taken a look at Bob Martin's exact reproduction of the Robertson kilt, and it does have a pretty high rise. According to Bob, it was made selvage to selvage, with 25 inch wide cloth, THEN a 2&3/8 inch wide waistband was added. As a side note, it's made in hard tartan.

I have never seen a head on picture of this kilt suit, but I feel sure that Bob must have one... somewhere.

Thanks for the info, and for allowing me to veer slightly off-topic.

More on topic ... beautiful kilt, sir.

[Mr. MacDougall]

Dreadbelly, who no longer posts here, has been taking classes to become a tailor / fashion designer. Recently, he's been thinking a lot about this pleating style, and his comments on it make a lot of sense... essentially, he says that it may be the most practical pleating style from the perspective of ease of sitting. As you sit, the pleats push each other up, against your legs, leading (in theory) to a nice seat, rather than the bunching that some of us experience, particularly in an automobile.

And I'm sure I'm not doing his thoughts justice, as he's a deep thinker, and I'm just spouting off from memory.

Anyway, he's talking about producing kilts in that pleat style, real soon now.

[Ryan Ross]

Thanks for the info, and for allowing me to veer slightly off-topic.

More on topic ... beautiful kilt, sir.

Thank you very much, Sir.

Also, I figured this would be a general thread on Kingussie pleated kilts and a good place for posting various pictures of them, aswell! Any discussion of the Robertson tartan kilt is very important to kingussie kilts in general, as it was both the original example, and one of only two historical examples, of this style of pleating.

[Jock Scot]

Ah, many thanks. Sadly, I've never had the opportunity to hear a Kingussie native say the word... I wonder if the Kingussie JCs have put any tourist videos on youtube? I might have to check that out.

Try "Clan Macpherson Museum" or "Ruthven Barracks",you might(?) strike lucky.

[Ryan Ross]

Dreadbelly, who no longer posts here, has been taking classes to become a tailor / fashion designer. Recently, he's been thinking a lot about this pleating style, and his comments on it make a lot of sense... essentially, he says that it may be the most practical pleating style from the perspective of ease of sitting. As you sit, the pleats push each other up, against your legs, leading (in theory) to a nice seat, rather than the bunching that some of us experience, particularly in an automobile.

And I'm sure I'm not doing his thoughts justice, as he's a deep thinker, and I'm just spouting off from memory.

Anyway, he's talking about producing kilts in that pleat style, real soon now.

Ah... I met Dreadbelly, one time. He's quite an interesting fellow, and in this case, I think he's exactly right. I've noticed that the Kingussie pleat stays very, very nice, when you're seated. It's quite easy to sweep and get the pleats to lay accurately. I think that if this style was more well know, people would really like it.

Try "Clan Macpherson Museum" or "Ruthven Barracks",you might(?) strike lucky.

Thanks for the intel, Jock. I'll give that a try, shortly.