Kilt-Wearing among modern Borderers?

[Sir William]

An article in a recent edition of the Clan Elliot newsletter addressed this very issue. The author questioned the propriety of Border families wearing both tartan and kilts, since these are both more recognized as from the Highlands and not the Borders.

In essence, he suggested that since King George III's visit in 1822 where all the clan chiefs were encouraged to wear tartan, and which is the year in which the Elliot's adapted a tartan, the wearing of tartan by a Border family (or clan as they are now known) is now an acceptable tradition.

Secondly, he noted (as did Jock above) that kilts have now become identified with Scots and Scotland, not just the Highlands, and is therefore acceptable for wear in the Borders. However, he did note that tartan trews are probably much more appropriate because of their use in the Lowland regiments.

At our clan gathering last summer in Newcastleton, and later at the Gathering in Edinburgh, I saw about an equal mix between tartan trews and kilts, worn by the attending Americans, Canadians, Australians, and of course Scots of our clan. Both were fully accepted and, in fact, Margaret of Redheugh, Chief of Clan Elliot, said she liked seeing the kilts and hoped that more might appear in the future (her husband (not an Elliot) wore trews and her son (and our future chief) wore a kilt). I would say that perhaps the trews were favored slightly more by the Scots, while those of us from other lands favored the kilt, but the margin was small.

[figheadair]

In essence, he suggested that since King George III's visit in 1822 where all the clan chiefs were encouraged to wear tartan, and which is the year in which the Elliot's adapted a tartan, the wearing of tartan by a Border family (or clan as they are now known) is now an acceptable tradition.

Actually it was George IV that visited Edinburgh. Geo III lost (gave away?) America.

Don't want to spoil your day but, the Elliot tartan first appeared in Clans Originaux of 1880 and did not exist at the time of the Levee in 1822.

Secondly, he noted (as did Jock above) that kilts have now become identified with Scots and Scotland, not just the Highlands, and is therefore acceptable for wear in the Borders. However, he did note that tartan trews are probably much more appropriate because of their use in the Lowland regiments.

Some of the Highland regiments (pre-The Royal Regiment's formation) wore trews on certain occasions/forms of dress. The QOH officers for example wore the kilt Monday - Thursday and Trews on a Friday.

[Sir William]

Actually it was George IV that visited Edinburgh. Geo III lost (gave away?) America.

Ah, but you're all to right. I've been spending a lot of reading (and a tour) on the American Revolution the last month. Too much George III on the brain.

Don't want to spoil your day but, the Elliot tartan first appeared in Clans Originaux of 1880 and did not exist at the time of the Levee in 1822..

And here we've been told it was 1822. Another lesson learned.

Some of the Highland regiments (pre-The Royal Regiment's formation) wore trews on certain occasions/forms of dress. The QOH officers for example wore the kilt Monday - Thursday and Trews on a Friday.

True, but I was trying to show that the trews were more popular in the Borders because they didn't have a tradition of kilted regiments.

[CameronCat]

I can't speak directly to the question for lack of deep (or any) knowledge, but offer one small data point...

During our trip to Scotland last year, we were chatting with our Edinburgh B+B hosts one morning over a late breakfast. I had asked for their candid opinions as citizens of the entire Scottish devolution picture and the country's possible future.

Somewhere in what turned into a lengthy and enlightening discussion, the comment was made "Well, you see Scotland is really two countries, the Highlands and everybody else. Attitudes in the Borders are quite different from what's up here."

I also remember from an earlier trip in the mid-90s that we saw very little tartan--either clothing or "general decor" -- in Ayr and surroundings. Nice people though, and otherwise fully Scots in every way.

Not sure that explains anything at all, but there it is.

JT

[Lallans]

Genetically, I hail from the land of long long memories and am pretty sure that some generations of my Border and Lowland ancestors would look askance at my wearing a Forrester kilt- they would look that way and then come on horses with muskets, sabres, and dirks. But that era is over and over here in Canada and everywhere, it's time to man up and put on a kilt. The earlier comments about how they have come to be Scottish national dress are perfectly true and correct. The Highlanders can have the great kilt by way of distinction. I mean if they want to.