Royal Regiment of Scotland

[M. A. C. Newsome]

I'm afraid that this conversation is going far afield from the original topic of the thread, but since it seems far gone anyway, I may as well continue. :-)

Jock, thanks for your post and please understand that I am in no way "hurt" or even "surprised" when someone makes a statement such as "a real kilt must have 8 yards." Maybe a bit surprised to read such a statement on X Marks, but in general, there is pretty much nothing anyone can say about the kilt that can surprise me.

I've heard all kinds of doozies, really just as often by native Scots as by Americans. I have been told by native Scots the following:
-the only shoes proper to wear with the kilt are high-laced ghillie brogues. Period. No exceptions.
-if your tartan has red in it, it means you come from a bastard family (this from a Scottish school teacher to her class of children).
-I was wearing my kilt incorrectly because the turn-over on my hose was about half an inch too long.
-that the Scottish government can fine you for wearing the "wrong" tartan.
-and the errors regarding the provenance of modern, ancient, dress and hunting tartans are too many to list!

I've heard just as many doozies from Americans, as well, so I'm by no means singling out native Scots. My point here is that my experience has taught me that just being born in Scotland does not make someone an expert on the kilt. In fact, nine times out of ten when I meet a kilted Scot here in the US, he'll admit to me that he never wore a kilt or gave it any interest at all until he came to the States!

Now, there is another class of folks who were born and raised in Scotland for whom kilt wearing was part of their regular life. They grew up wearing the kilt for various occasions, have memories of their fathers and grandfathers wearing the kilt, etc. These people (I'm assuming you are one of them, Jock!) are an invaluable resource to learn how the kilt is worn today and how it has been worn in living memory. But even then one must understand that there will of course be regional and even familial variations.

How the kilt is worn traditionally in the western Highlands and Isles will be different from how the kilt is worn traditionally in East Lothian, and this will differ from how the kilt is worn traditionally on Price Edward Isle!

You cannot say any of these variations are any more or less "correct" any more than you can say English spoken with an Alabama accent is more or less "correct" than spoken with a London accent.

I, personally, find learning about these subtle variations in fashion quite fascinating, and take pleasure in using them as inspirations in my own Highland wardrobe.

[Phil]

I, personally, find learning about these subtle variations in fashion quite fascinating, and take pleasure in using them as inspirations in my own Highland wardrobe.

As you say, Matt, this subject has strayed well off the beaten path. I was not aware of any particular regional variations in kilt fashion within Scotland apart, of course, from the likes of 21st Century Kilts who are perhaps more avant-garde in their outlook than the majority of Scots. I think you will find that my approach to kilt-wearing, coming from Edinburgh but originally Glasgow, is no different to that of Jock Scot in the Highlands. Oh all right, I have been known to wear white hose very occasionally but when in Rome.....! Sadly kilt wearers in the Highlands and Islands are an endangered species nowadays as it is a form of dress many cannot justify the expenditure for. And no, before you say that there are lots of cheaper versions available, the majority would never consider anything but a proper, full 8-yard kilt in their family tartan or else simply forego a kilt altogether.
You see, it is a matter of tradition and heritage and not something to be regarded lightly or second best.

[JSFMACLJR]

As you say, Matt, this subject has strayed well off the beaten path. I was not aware of any particular regional variations in kilt fashion within Scotland apart, of course, from the likes of 21st Century Kilts .

Hi Phil,

I am aware of a few regional variations, but even those aren't widespread within that region.

Take for example, the wearing of white tie by gentlemen from Perth. Not seen on everyone, of course, but see even less in other parts of the highlands.

And my favourite, tartan jackets. Certainly they are not common, and one can usually find somebody wearing one almost anywhere, but you really do stand a greater chance of seeing one worn to a ball or party in the Western Highlands. I don't know why.

Jabots, too. I know you wear one. My friends, and my experience, tell me that they are much more in evidence in the Western Highlands.

[Panache]

Sandford and Matt,

Perhaps one of you would be kind enough to start a separate thread about regional variations on highland dress in the Traditional forum.

I for one would be fascinated to learn about this.

Cheers

Jamie

[Phil]

Take for example, the wearing of white tie by gentlemen from Perth. Not seen on everyone, of course, but see even less in other parts of the highlands.

I must say I have rarely seen a white tie with highland dress apart from graduation day at St. Andrews.

And my favourite, tartan jackets. Certainly they are not common, and one can usually find somebody wearing one almost anywhere, but you really do stand a greater chance of seeing one worn to a ball or party in the Western Highlands. I don't know why.

Tartan jackets are even less common and it may have a lot to do with the difficulty of obtaining one. None of the mainstream highland dress outlets seem to be interested in any type of "one-off" tailoring and, although I am fortunate here in Edinburgh there are really no proper tailors elsewhere in Scotland that I know of.

Jabots, too. I know you wear one. My friends, and my experience, tell me that they are much more in evidence in the Western Highlands.

Jabots. Well they were really the normal thing if I cast my mind back to my younger days. That was in the west of Scotland and I must say I rarely, if ever see one here. Again a lot must be down to the limited range highland outfitters are prepared to stock. I know Geoffrey Tailor stopped stocking buckle brogues a few years ago and the assistant there looked at me as if I had horns for even asking about them. I do see that jabots are coming back again although getting a collarless shirt is another matter. Stuart Christie stock them fortunately.

I wasn't really thinking of the more formal dress variations, though, but the daywear such as that of Jock's in his "What would the Victorians think" thread is virtually identical to what I would wear. As to the younger generation, even although they might accessorise with ankle boots, scrunched down socks and a rugby shirt, they will still wear a traditional, probably 8 yard, knife pleated kilt. It is that one item, I think, the kilt that defines to all the various kilt-wearers their Scottish tradition and is the one item, certainly here in Scotland at least and with very few exceptions, that does not vary between regions and generations.