How to Incorporate Scottish Tradition Into Your Wedding

May 08, 2024

Scotland is a place that is immersed in tradition. The evidence of deep-rooted customs can be easily found from Burns Suppers to ceilidh dances. These traditions serve as a direct link to Scotland's colourful past, which has become the source of national pride and is what draws visitors from around the world to experience. One day that arguably features more Scottish tradition than any other is a wedding. With most people wearing kilt outfits and the almost guaranteed sound of bagpipes, Scottish weddings have become not only a celebration of love but also a celebration of heritage. So what can...

Can I wear a kilt to the Open at Royal Troon 2024?

March 21, 2024

The Open is the oldest and most prestigious golf tournament in the world, and this year it returns to Royal Troon. It will be the 152nd time the championship has been held and the 10th time it has been hosted by Royal Troon. Set against the picturesque South Ayrshire coast, Royal Troon is one of Scotland’s finest courses, challenging players with its deep bunkers and often unforgiving weather conditions. For fans lucky enough to travel to Troon this year, the time has come to start thinking about what attire you will need to pack.

St. Patrick's Day 2024

March 13, 2024

What started as a religious holiday in the early 17th century, has become a worldwide celebration of Irish culture. With green beer and quirky costumes, St. Patrick's Day is now very different from the day of feast that the church originally proclaimed it to be.

Scotland's Oldest Tartan Glen Affric Brought Back to Life

March 06, 2024

Scotland’s oldest known tartan has been brought back to life. Discovered in a peaty bog in the 1980s, the remains of this fabric have been recreated into a tartan that can now be enjoyed by highlandwear lovers across the world.

The History of Scotland's Iconic Kilt

February 07, 2024

Scotland's iconic relationship with the kilt began as far back as the 16th century when wool became an affordable and effective material for clothing. Before sheep and wool were established in the highlands, people would wear clothes made from linen and while cheap, it was better suited for climates much further south than the highlands of Scotland. Wool on the other hand is naturally weather-resistant and a great insulator, perfect for the harsh Scottish conditions.

St Andrew's Day Style

November 08, 2023

On St Andrew’s Day, there is no better way to celebrate Scotland than stepping out in tartan. Not sure what to wear? We’ve got you covered. Read on for outfit inspiration and styling tips from the Kings of Kilts.

The Scottish Roots of Halloween

October 25, 2023

From the telephone to the television, there have been many iconic things born in Scotland. This includes everyone’s favourite spooky festival, Halloween. Halloween first started life as the festival of Samhain, which marked the end of summer and the beginning of winter, was celebrated by the ancient Celts in Scotland and other parts of the British Isles over 2,000 years ago.

Will The Traditional Craft Of Kilt Making Go Extinct?

March 01, 2023

From clay pipe making to straw working, thanks to roughly 12 millennia of continuous inhabitation, Britain’s long history has produced a plethora of traditional crafts. However, due to modernisation, many of these crafts have fallen away and become extinct. Whether this is because there are now easier ways to make the items or because there is no longer a use for such items, it’s still a piece of culture that will forever be lost to the history books. UNESCO defines traditional craftsmanship as “the most tangible manifestation of intangible cultural heritage”, which is a poetic way of summing up the...

Our Harris Mist Tartan

February 01, 2023

The earliest known example of tartan in Scotland is a small piece of fabric called the Falkirk Tartan. The piece of cloth was found in a pot alongside 2,000 silver coins and was named the Falkirk Tartan due to its discovery location at Bell’s Meadow, near Falkirk. The cloth is estimated to be roughly 1,700 years old which for reference was during the time of Roman occupation in Britain. The discovery of the Falkirk Tartan in 1993 underpins Scotland's relationship with tartan throughout history. Tartan isn’t just some novelty pattern that Scotland uses for tourism marketing purposes, it’s deeply seeded...

Vivienne Westwood's Tartans

January 04, 2023

The world of fashion lost an icon last week with the passing of designer Vivienne Westwood. A true pioneer of British fashion, Westwood became synonymous with a punk style that was feminine and radical. The inclusion of tartan is one of the most recognisable aspects of her designs, making them both quintessentially British and rebellious at the same time. Read on to find out more about the tartans used by Vivienne Westwood and how she shared our love of Scottish cloth!

A Very Scottish Christmas

December 19, 2022

It’s that time again, Christmas is nearly here and the Kings of Kilts are ready to celebrate! From international fitting services to a new store in the Scottish capital, this year has been busier than ever and we couldn't have done any of it without the support of our wonderful customers. While there’s a lot to look forward to in 2023, in the meantime we’ll be celebrating Christmas and Hogmanay in true Scottish style.