Fact remains that there was a time when the kilt was the standard clothing of the Highland male. That meant him doing all sorts of things in the kilt that the Highlander today wouldn't dream of doing. I just used Ansdell's portraits as a visual example of that truth.

There are a few factors to consider. Cheif of which, I believe, is simply the fact that the kilt was basic clothing once upon a time. It had not yet taken on the cultural signifigance that it is given today.

Sure, the kilt was associated with Scotland in much the same was that blue jeans might be associated with America. That doesn't stop me from mowing my lawn, changing the oil in my car, slopping the hogs, or pulling a few trout from the stream wearing my blue jeans. :-) I don't care if they get soiled or torn, or otherwise damaged. Part of it is because they are relatively inexpensive to replace, yes; but the larger part of it is that they are just blue jeans, after all. Nothing special.

This must have been how the Highlander of 200 years ago approached his kilt. It was the clothing he wore. It wasn't as if he had a choice of "do I want to wear my kilt today when I shear the sheep?" He wasn't planning on shearing them in the buff, so of course he had his kilt on! The kilt was his clothing, it was not dear to him the same way the kilt is dear to most of those who wear it today.

I don't just mean "dear" in terms of price. I mean imbued with cultural signifigance. Heritage. Tradition. It means something. One wears the kilt in honor of one's family, clan, country, ethnicity, etc. It is something to be proud of, to take care of, to respect.

It would be as if a retired military officer were to wear his uniform when out mowing the lawn. Sure, it might be a perfectly functional set of clothing to do yard work in. But that particular set of clothing has been instilled with a signifigance that keeps it now reserved and respected.

I would say the same is true of the kilt today. Historically, people did all kinds of rugged, rural and outdoor things in the kilt. It was their day-to-day clothing, after all. Today, people generally do not, as Jock and others have pointed out. Not that there is anything intrinsic in the kilt itself that makes it unsuitable for such persuits. But the kilt has a different place now in the culture and traditions of the Highlands than it did in the past. That's the main point I would make.