Men first wore kilts in the highlands of Scotland in the 16th century. These kilts were full-length garments made from a single piece of cloth. The cloth was formed into pleats, wrapped around the waist, and secured with a belt. The excess material was then draped over the shoulder but could also be brought over the head to be worn as a hood. This kilt was known as the Feileadh Mòr in Gaelic or Great Kilt in English. Being made from wool, it was the ideal garment for the harsh conditions of the Scottish highlands. This type of kilt was worn up until the 18th century and most likely would have continued to have been worn for a lot longer if it wasn’t for the Dress Act of 1746. After the Battle of Culloden where Bonnie Prince Charlie's Jacobite army lost to King George II, the Dress Act was passed which banned the wearing of kilts as well as tartan.
What was the Clan system of Scotland?
The kilt’s history began in the highlands and to understand how they came to be banned under the Dress Act, you need to understand how the highland clan system operated. A Scottish clan was a group of people bonded together by family or kinship. The title of the clan referred to the main bloodline of the original members. While bloodline and family played a big part in clan membership, many became members by swearing allegiance to the chief. These people received protection and work, in return for their allegiance. The Clan Chief was king of his land and he expected his members to treat him as such. This way of life was not well-liked by many of the British kings and a sense of animosity bubbled under the surface between both sides of the political divide for centuries. In the 1700s, a series of substantial revolts were undertaken by James VII in an attempt to retake the British crown. Many clans in the highlands recognised James as the rightful king and these clans formed the Jacobite Army. Supported by the French, the aim of the Jacobites was to invade Britain and see a Stuart king sat upon the throne once again, as ruler of both England and Scotland. Many battles were fought between the Jacobite's and King George's army but it all culminated at the Battle of Culloden. The Jacobites lost and as a way to make sure nothing like that could ever happen again, King George essentially put a stop to the highland way of life.
When did Scots start wearing kilts again?
To be specific, the Dress Act of 1746 only applied to men and boys north of the Highland Line which ran from Perth to Dumbarton. However, at that time the only people who were wearing kilts were people north of that line. The Dress Act was repealed in 1782 but sadly by then, highlandwear and tartan were no longer part of daily life. It was actually highland aristocrats who were the first to try and bring back the wearing of kilts. They set up the Highland Society of Edinburgh in an attempt to promote the use of highland dress. This was the catalyst that would lead to an uptake in kilt wearing, not for daily use, but in a ceremonial fashion. However, the great kilt never resurged, only the fèileadh beag or little kilt found a revived popularity.
Why do Scots wear kilts today?
Scotland is a small nation with a very colourful history and kilts have become synonymous with this. It’s Scotland’s national dress and a way for people to embrace their culture. From celebrating clan heritage to wearing a kilt for fashion, a kilt helps identify and unite people in their Scottishness. While kilts can be worn to any occasion like spotting events or highland games, they are predominantly reserved for formal celebrations like weddings. A formal kilt outfit consists of ghillie brogues, knee-length kilt socks, a sgian dubh, kilt, kilt pin, sporran, waistcoat and kilt jacket. The most formal optional accessory of a kilt outfit is a plaid, which is attached at breast level and slung over the shoulder. Plaids represent the top half of the great kilt and are usually only worn by someone of importance at the event. Commonly this would be a groom on his wedding day or the host of a burns supper. It’s a great way to stand out from all the other guests.
I'm not in Scotland, how can I get a kilt?
There are said to be up to 40 million people around the world who claim to have some level of Scottish ancestry. While we would love to invite each and every one of them into our stores, we realise that travelling to Scotland isn’t always that easy. That’s why we have made it as simple as possible for people to get themselves a highlandwear outfit without ever leaving their homes. Our website is the best place to start as it has everything you need when it comes to products and information. We ship worldwide so buying a kilt outfit online from us is as simple as finding something you like, entering your details and clicking buy. For those who would prefer a more personalised experience, we offer a Virtual Kilt Fitting Service. This service allows people to connect with one of our stylists over video call and get the kilt shop experience at home. Our stylists walk you through every element of the buying process and help you self-measure. It’s a great option for people who are unsure of what outfit style or tartan they want to wear as well as for those who are unsure about trusting their own measurements. Our Virtual Kilt Fittings are complimentary so why not give it a try and book yourself an appointment.
