When is a Kilt Appropriate?

April 29, 2024

Kilts have been a common sight in Scotland since the 16th century, first as daily garments in the highlands and then as occasion wear, as we know them today. Whether they are worn to pay homage to Scottish heritage or to make a stylish statement, kilts have never been more popular. They are comfortable, stylish and with an endless list of tartan options, they are a great way to showcase your individuality. With so many great reasons to wear a kilt, are there places or times where a kilt wouldn’t be appropriate?

Kilts in Winter

December 27, 2023

As the days get shorter and the weather gets colder, it's time to start thinking about how to stay warm and stylish in the winter. And what better way to do that than with a kilt?

How the traditional kilt shop experience is evolving

July 12, 2023

The kilt has been a part of Scottish identity for centuries, first as the feileadh-mór or great kilt and later as the fèileadh beag, which is the version we know today. The great kilt was not much more than a length of material wrapped around the waist with the excess material draped over the shoulder. However, as the kilt evolved into the fèileadh beag or little kilt, the construction of the kilt became more intricate. After the Dress Act of 1746 was repealed in 1782, demand for high-quality traditional highlandwear grew, not just in the rural highlands, but also in the modern...

When were kilts invented?

May 17, 2023

The relationship between Scotland and its kilts goes back many centuries, however, the date in which kilts were first invented, is rather unknown. The first documented mention of the féileadh-mór (or great kilt) can be found in books dating back to the 1500’s. As you can imagine, the great kilts' popularity would have been quite prevalent to have been worthy of documentation at that time. So it’s safe to say that the great kilt would have been invented sometime earlier. It’s thought that once sheep became readily available across Scotland that their wool would have been used to weave cloth....

How To Wear a Kilt Casually

April 19, 2023

Traditional highlandwear outfits are most commonly worn to formal events like weddings and other black tie events. The swing of the pleats, the different colours of tartan and all the accessories make for a much more interesting outfit than a plain suit. While it’s ultimately down to personal preference, as a rule of thumb, a Prince Charlie or Argyll jacket and waistcoat are worn to the most formal occasions. These outfits are also accessorised with a dress sporran. For slightly less formal occasions, tweed jackets and semi-dress sporrans are more appropriate. This doesn’t mean that a tweed jacket can’t be...

What is tartan?

February 22, 2023

Tartan is a traditional Scottish fabric pattern characterized by intersecting lines and vibrant colors running both horizontally and vertically. Originating in Scotland as early as the 3rd century, tartan plays a crucial role in Scotland's culture and history. Each Scottish clan historically had its own unique tartan pattern, symbolizing its identity and heritage. By the 18th century, tartan had become synonymous with Highland dress. Following the Jacobite's defeat at the Battle of Culloden, the British government banned tartan and all other aspects of Highland culture as a form of punishment. Today, tartan remains a powerful symbol of Scottish pride and...

Are Kilts Warm?

February 08, 2023

During this time of the year, when the days start to get a little longer, our minds start to drift toward thinking about our summer plans. Unfortunately, these thoughts are usually interrupted when we walk outside and realise that the current temperature is only barely above freezing. While we still have a long way to go before its t-shirt weather in Scotland, it got us thinking about the warmth of a kilt. Whether you are wearing a kilt in the middle of winter or the height of summer, there isn’t a whole lot of difference in the level of warmth...

How is a kilt worn?

October 28, 2022

The kilt is a garment steeped in Scottish history and culture. A simple length of tartan that has been expertly crafted into something iconic, using centuries-old techniques. Kilts are a common sight at Scottish occasions and while worn less in other countries, they are still very well-known and recognised around the world. It’s the kilt’s worldwide popularity that sees people dawn their first kilt and for that reason, we feel it’s our duty to help these new kilt wearers by passing on as much knowledge as we can.

A Decadent Day with Black Rabbit Projects

October 11, 2022

This September, a fantasy wedding came to life at the Marine Troon Hotel, courtesy of Black Rabbit Projects. We were so thrilled to be a part of the memorable collaboration with talented wedding suppliers across Scotland.

Elizabeth & Jimmy's Big Day

June 15, 2022

Another beautiful couple has graciously offered to share their wedding story with all us. Elizabeth & Jimmy (quite literally) tied the knot in a Castle in Ireland. Jimmy chose to wear Silver Mist with a Glen Orchy tweed jacket. 

How far in advance should I hire a kilt?

June 01, 2022

Kilts have been worn in Scotland for centuries. First, as the Feileadh Mòr or great kilt and worn only by highlanders and then as the kilt we know today, from the around late 17th century. However, it wasn't until the 19th century that the kilt had its great revival and its popularity soared. From this period onwards, kilts became more and more common, not as everyday wear but worn at special occasions. That popularity hasn’t slowed down, quite the opposite has happened and kilts today are arguably more in demand than in any other period of history. At least in Scotland,...