Your brother has a great sense of humour, clearly! I have actually been in the company of lads in kilts, where some adventurous girls have tried to satisfy their curiosity with a very direct exploration. How rude of them, to say the least!
I asked a Scotsman that once and with a straight face he told me "because a sheep can hear a zipper a mile away." 😂 It took me a second then I just cracked up laughing and I've never forgotten it. Apparently the Scottish have a great sense of humor.
My college buddy (a Scottish descendant) once told me a joke. Why do Scots wear kilts? Because sheep can hear the zipper. Don't get mad. It's just a joke.
I mean, it seems like a very practical garment. • easily accomidates any weight fluctuations • simplistic design • easily modified for different temperatures and weather conditions • fasteners and closures can be as simple or as ornate as the individual desires • bottom stays out of the muck • can double as a blanket in a pinch
Old story I heard as a young man, Kiwi visiting Glasgow spent 3 hours walking around trying to find even one person wearing a Kilt. He bumped in to a fairly large bearded man coming round a corner wearing full regalia and exclaims “finally, I found a Scot wearing his Kilt” to be met with the response “No mate, I’m from Auckland!”
As a piper I wear my kilt quite a bit for a native of the state of Texas. I recently returned from a trip to Scotland where I did wear my kilt. I wore it several times while I played the pipes and all day while touring Edinburgh. People love it, both tourists and locals. At Edinburgh castle I am the subject of many tourist photos. The one thing that happened, that struck me as funny, we were walking through a construction zone that had both streams of traffic concentrated in a very narrow area. I lady passing said, in a broad Scottish accent, "I'll bet yer wearing pants!" t. I was, of course, because I am not going to sit my ass on my dry-clean only kilt. I felt better about my choice when I was in a Kilt makers shop where there was a sign that said "Underwear must be worn with all hired kilts." If you don't like being the center of attention do not wear a kilt in Scotland.
Or if you're clerking in or running a Highland dress shop. If the one in downtown Pitlochry 40 years ago was any example. (Bought a sgian there -- probably The Scottish Shop, on Googling)
Having visited Scotland for vacation, I can attest to the majesty of the country and the kindness of the Scottish people. I'm proud to be an American with Scottish ancestry.
As an African American with confirmed Scottish roots, my family and I have vacationed in Scotland. It is breathtakingly beautiful. And, each enounter we had with Scots whether casual or visiting businesses such as restaurants was very hospitable. Scotland is a place to cherish.
Why does my Scottish husband wear a kilt? Because his two grannies bought him kilt, jacket etc in 1978, when he graduated, and he's worn it to every wedding, Ceilidh, graduation, random gathering and rugby match (no jacket here, you wear a rugby shirt with your kilt to a match) since. Think how much money that's saved him in suits etc since he got it, and the kilt never goes out of fashion. Most recent outing was to our daughter's graduation....same degree, same university, 45 years apart.
I guess he did not put on weight as he aged. I haven't worn a kilt for about 20 years for this reason. I have just today ordered a bigger kilt to fit my bigger girth! I am a saddler maker and now making a sporran with a longer strap (my first no longer fits!) Got a St Andrew holding his Cross badge to fit to the sporran.
That's awesome I found out I have ties to the Nicholson lowland clan I'm competing for a mature highland games in Alma Michigan and I wanna get the clan Nicholson tartan colors.....
I remember asking that question a lifetime ago of a High School teacher who came from Scotland. He replied that the kilt made it easy to identify the Clan, especially when fighting each other. The kilt made movement over rough terrain easier (more freedom for the legs to move in every-which-way direction; AND the kilt could serve as a blanket when sleeping outdoors overnight. All of those made more sense to me than some of the more recent "explanations"!
Your high school teacher was referring to the Great Kilt (Feileadh Mòr) not the post-industrial kilt worn today. The great kilt was essentially multi-purpose uniform and camping gear. My mother's highland family came to America with Flora MacDonald in 1774; and my father's lowland family from Glasgow in the 19th Century.
Here in Ohio, kilts are worn here and there with some sincerity. My wife’s a Presbyterian and they hold an annual kirkin’ o’ the tartan and take it quite seriously. I find it funnier knowing she’s German…
Of Scottish decent here. I watched a video on the settling of Appalachia and it stated that the Scottish Irish and Germans settled the area and worked very well together!❤️
My paternal grandfather served with the Gordon Highlanders during World War 1 in the trenches in France. He said the worst aspect of the kilt was the fact that the lower edge would collect caked on mud and then when marching or even walking, the dried muddy edge would swing back and forth rubbing his legs raw.
My Maternal Grandfather served with the Gordon Highlanders in WW1 in Germany. I have a picture of him in his full kilt uniform and my brother has the other souveniers he brought back, like the helmet off a dead German officer with the point on top. He's from Wolfhill, near Perth and about a mile from Scone.
I have heard that it's called a Kilt because anyone who calls it a skirt gets 'kilt'. And if that isn't true, it should be! Enjoyed your presentation. Please keep it going.
It's so much easier to understand kilts when you realize that they started as hard-working everyday garments for working people. Cross-culturally, we can find so many garments like this that use quality fabric to best value by being some form of multiuse ,convertible fabric shape, rather than tailored as just one single-purpose-built garment. The how-to-wear then becomes as important as the how-to-sew, which assumes a certain amount of shared knowledge and culture between sewist and wearer. when we talk about women's fashion, there's lot said about skirts being restrictive to women and boys looking forward to growing out of dress-and-skirt-style infant clothing and into shorts, then pants, as part of maturity. On the other hand, it seems here that there were whole ways of life people lived where a skirt-like garment truly is the blue jeans of it's day -- the garment you wear to move easily, do work, and exist comfortably. And, of course, we've found plenty of ways to make split-leg garments more unwieldy or confining than thy need to be. Practicality in clothing is a moving target. That's really fun to unpack.
I further add as to the practicality of it, when running around the hills, natural elimination, is easier with split legged pants to pull down, or long robes to hike up. As to what you would wear under it, for practicality again, nothing. When working, or marching, why would you wear anything, unless you ride astraddle.
“Sewist” is the gender neutral term for anyone that sews. A seamstress is the feminine version of someone who makes clothes, and a tailor is the masculine version of someone who makes clothes.
Obviously, women's skirts were designed to be restrictive....by males. It's a lot more difficult to be equal and have a voice about your current and future life when you can't properly breathe, walk with ease, or more importantly run from abuse.
If I remember the joke correctly there was a Scotsman that had a wee to much to drink at the pub, and he didn’t quite make the trip home so fell asleep under a tree. While pass out two young ladies found him, flipped up his kilt and taking a ribbon from their hair tied a bow around his member, so that when he awoke he would be mortified because he would not remember what he had done. Next morning the Scotsman wakes up and heads back to the pub. The Batman notices the Scotsman’s spry step and questions why he is in such a good mood. The Scotsman comments he was the pretty tipsy last night and want quite sure what happened, but he must have done quite well as he was awarded the blue ribbon!
Some 25 years ago, at a xmas party, I had the unfortunate luck to witness 5 Scotsmen, in kilts, dance to the Can-can! That is something I wish I could un-see but alas every time I see a kilt the memory comes flooding back!
@@TeaParty1776 it was just 1 of those parties… I was carrying a sporran as my handbag was in its place & even though I was wearing a ball gown, I spent the last few hours walking around with a bottle of wine down my cleavage! All this was luckily pre cameras on mobile phones.
I absolutely loved this video. Great information. Kilts and pipes are the last things that 2nd/3rd generation Scotsmen have to remember their homeland in the States. Keep the great videos coming.
An old Scottish gentleman in Tennessee once told me that if ever a man pokes fun and asks "what do you wear under your kilt?" Tell him: "Your wife's lipstick."
Great video. You always make history so interesting. The kilt is so beautiful & there are so many tartans. Thanks for sharing with us. You are very handsome in your kilt as well.
That was Fascinating Robert 👍🏆 I've heard all sorts of stories about the kilt over the years, but the pride in wearing one is something else ❤ I was at a wedding a few years back and a woman put a Polaroid camera up my brother-in-laws kilt, a few minutes later she shouting "It's TRUE It's TRUE"😂🤣😂
I am enthralled! What a superb channel to show up on my roster! The narration, the history, the magnificent and gorgeous scenery! Thank you for my new found love affair with all things Scotland!
Kansas City, Kansas…The Hoof GP sent me and I am so glad! Love these stories and have recommended to my family as we are coming to Scotland together in September.
You are such a treasure! You are so informative, I google for days after watching your videos as it peaks my curiosity about so many things. Kilts and bagpipes make my heart pound! Thank you Robert! ❤❤
Haha. No, but the lack of clan tartans in the past was because some poor local weaver woman said “I’m not doing another pattern. You can all wear the same one” 😂
In the US, the company Utilikilt popularized non-tartan kilts for both work and play. I couldn't afford one, so I got a knock-off, but it's good....and solid black. I have no Scottish ancestry to the best of my knowledge, but my wife does.
My mother had a damn good explaination for kilts. She learned to spin wool to make something out of our poodles silky casmere-isk hair, she was brilliant with knitting needles and soon had about a ten x twenty inch rectangle. She lost interest in making anything bigger but she was thrilled with the little blanket. Imagine living in the highlands and really, by frikken hand, making a big rectangle on a the biggest loom available, nobody will cut it. It's a blanket or a sheet, it's a table cloth, a curtin, a shawl, a raincoat, a dress. If you a make a pair of pants for the freezing cold shepard, he'll just soil them with body fluids, screw that plan I ain't washing trousers in this cold!! listen to mother. Love you all.
Well, the traditional Greek outfit is also a skirt (foustanéla, which means skirty-thing), and the myth about what is worn underneath is of course the same:D. The Greek version is white for everybody, from heavily pleated cotton, and worn with white wollen stockings. The woollen cape, shaggy or felted, was also used by warriors as a blanket or to sleep on. Sadly, it hasn't been worn as formal wear for over a hundred years...
I love binge watching your videos. They're informational, interesting, and humorous! And oh, all that wool wasn't wasted on you, you really rock that kilt!
The obvious answer is comfort and sexiness. Any man looks great in a kilt. I know where I live with 90+ F and 90+% humidity, some ventilation around the nethers is very welcome!
The propagation of established historical cultural tradition is what makes Us different , interesting and beautiful. Thanks for sharing and Bonjour de Nouvelle Orleans ,USA.
A couple of years ago, I moved to Franklin, North Carolina, one county south of where my mostly Scottish grandfather was born (mom has the family tartan framed hanging on the living room wall). After I moved here, I found that we have the only tartan museum in the U.S., which was a fun surprise for a place otherwise known for its rocks and hills.
One of ther largest Scottish Highland Games in the world is held in Boone, NC on Grandfather Mountain. It is awesome! It is always attended by dancers and athletes from all over the world. And the week before the games there is the School of Scottish Arts teaching mostly Highland dancing but also including some Scottish history, songs and some old Scottish Gaelic.
Also, especially in the Appalachians, the Ulster Scots, or Scots-Irish, tended to settle. The Franklin, NC area was a hotbed of Scots-Irish activity as they came streaming down the Great Wagon Road.
I am of Scottish descent. I live in North Carolina USA where the largest number of Scottish people came to the US. I own 30 Kilts and wear a kilt even out for dinner and most anywhere else.
I know this was about kilts but you mentioned bagpipes. I’m from California but ever sense I was a little girl I’ve loved listening to the bagpipes. I would watch the Rose Parade every year hoping that one band was playing them. There’s something so beautiful about their sound. Have you done a video on bagpipe’s? This is my first video of yours.
Like not being able to wear awhile the pipes(war drums) also weren’t allowed. Many picked up the violin because it sounded the closest tone wise. I played for almost a decade but only wore a kilt twice
If you really like bagpipes and are still in the the late great State of California, you might check out the Gathering and Games held in Pleasanton over Labor Day Weekend. Closing ceremonies each day are awesome. TH-cam videos are available to watch.
When people (women usually) ask what is worn under the kilt, I say there are 3 possible answers: 1. find someone to tell you, 2. find someone who will show you, and 3. find someone who will let you discover this for yourself! I then ask them (with a twinkle in my eye), guess which one I am? :)
Thank you for this. My father’s people came from the Isle of Lewis. Got into a bit of bother, both his mother’s and his father’s ancestors belonged to the group captured at the Battle of Worcester by Cromwell 3 Sept. 1651. They were convicted and sentenced to seven years transportation to Maine in the US. My father was born there 300 years later in a logging camp. I’ve asked him questions about his Scottish ancestors, and his reply was that he and his 10 brothers and sisters were always too hungry to think about anything more than getting through the day. Thanks to you, I am learning a great deal. I really appreciate it. PS I’ve always felt especially badly for the Scots regiments with their bare legs, exposed in the freezing mud of the first world war.
My clan, Clan MacCulloch is said to have a curse upon our ancestral castle “Cardoness” and it is haunted by 3 spirits. A young boy who died in the dungeon, a young girl who is often seen in the upper floors and a woman who has often been seen and even conversed with in the great hall of Cardoness.
Most of the recent history I've found of the kilt said it had been evolving for some time in both the military and some civilian dress from the great kilt to the walking kilt or short kilt before the Englishman altered it a bit more for the workers in his factory into something close to what we have today. Otherwise, I enjoyed your take on its history. I'm in US with ancestors from Clans McIver, Stewart of Bute and MacDonald plus probably more. I was amazed to find we on this side of the pond seem to have more who wear the kilt regularly than Scots do. We also put more stock in family tartans rather than the tartan one likes. And much more pride in genealogy of our Clan history rather than national pride. We are a relatively new country and like to touch our ancestors whether they made the perilous trip through clearances or for religious reasons or whatever. Thank God for Sir Walter Scot or we might never have discover the kilt and all its potential accessories.
What a well-written comment. It's so refreshing after reading so many (often the vast majority of) badly-spelled, grammatically-incorrect, online comments.
This is a great channel. I can't believe I hadn't found it before now. My Granddad served in WWI with the Canadian Expeditionary Forces and their dress uniforms were with kilts. I have several photos of him in it. I don't know if it was just his Battalion/Regiment (# 240, 150), as I've tried researching that & found little information. Thank You so much for a fun & fascinating video!
Another brilliant video.. love your kilt, my brother was married in one, he marries a lass from the Isle of Lewis.. beautiful country. Keep up the great work.. 👌💯
As a Historian, all I know about the subject: Egyptians wore a type of Kelt wrap, they hail way back in Ancient Time, the Scotts created their own version.
So the kilt really started out as the blue jeans or the cowboy pants of the day. It's evolution is interesting, thank you very much for sharing with us!
I am English, I have 2 kilts. My first was brought at Gretna Green, the Tartan is Forever Scotland. My 2nd is red, no idea what the name is. But I love them both and are very comfy.
Yes, my husband has 5 from UtilitiKilts and loves them. He does woodworking and finds them so comfortable to work in. As a woman who loves to wear dresses, I can see how comfortable and practical it is for my husband to wear kilts and not wear restricting pants while working. Also he loves that these have pockets!!!
A young man in Texas, upon discovering his heritage was Scottish, began studying all about Scotland. He said putting on a kilt was hard to do! And wearing it was an experience!!
Thanks Emma! My uncle turned up at my brother’s 40th (a black tie do) wearing some serious tartan “trews”. Might have to get myself a pair. Apparently the trousers come from the military as well. Worn when you had to ride a horse 🙂
I absolutely love this video! ❤ Well done sir. 😊 I was introduced to kilts by a new friend in 2013. He died in 2014 - I promised him I would buy myself a kilt. It took 8 months to gather the courage in my southern North Carolina town to wear it. Once I did... 😂 I've never looked back! I absolutely love wearing kilts!! I don't own any jeans or pants anymore... only some shorts, and my kilts. I'm not allowed to wear utility kilts to work, but away from work and every weekend, I'm kilted. ❤
Edit: Sorry for the blather. If you go back 1,000 years or so, I think you see common people in Ireland wearing homespun trews (trousers), and the nobility wearing roomy belted tunics, with a separate cape for bad weather. Trousers use less fabric, but require more work, and short pants or no pants is better if you're in and out of the wet. A roomy, knee-length tunic pulled over your knees at rest is probably warmer than a wet pair of pants. Trousers wear out a lot faster. I can see where an un-tailored bolt of heavy cloth several feet long could be pretty practical all-around clothing 'system,' with a couple of strategically-placed pins. The weather in the highlands is very changeable. It can go from chilly and soaking wet to clear, hot and muggy, very quickly. If you're out and about, it's more about keeping the wind off most of you than worrying about your core temp or blood flow to your extremities (You're moving). So it's not about getting the measurements right for your Eddie Bauer order. Wrap it around your waist a few times when it's hot. It's mostly only touching you on the belt line. Unwind it and make a decent hooded cape out of it when it's raining or cold if there's enough length to it. It's still in use to this day. Some guy out with a blanket wrapped around him... Go back very far, and there's a lot of craft cloth - some of very high quality - but before the industrial revolution.
The ''utilikilt'' is the latest work attire for kilt wearers. I'm 63 and I've worn kilts and played the pipes all of my life. And I must say, Summer in California is not a good time to wear a kilt.
Yeah. The weavers would have been local so certain areas would have their own patterns and tastes. It was around the time of Walter Scott that clan tartans started to emerge.
When the local clan chief wanted to form a war party, he would buy the cloth from a local weaver from which kilts were made. Each weaver did a specific tartan, so they became associated with areas. As clans lived in certain areas, they became associated with clans/families.
@@5thdimension625 Yeah, well, they were trying to sell you a kilt, weren't they. 90% of the clan stuff, including family tartan, was invented by the Victorians. It's like the "druids" at the Welsh Eisteddfod - invented from whole cloth.
Have two styles, my tartan kilt and my denim kilt… the tartan I wear when doing and relaxing away from home ; the denim I wear when working around the barony (house) going too hardware etc… excellent bit of kit… luv to thank the creator of the idea… bloody marvellous !!!
@@the-kilted-trucker59 Well that's authentic - if you take the kilted regiments, do you REALLY think HMG have ever tolerated there being nothing between some squaddies' skanky backside and their expensive, hard to clean, Government issue tartan?
I do Scottish Country Dancing, and bought myself a beautiful tartan sash. It is the "Pride of Scotland" tartan, which was invented because it is pretty. I love it. No genuine Scottish clan or connection... Just a lovely tartan.
Lovely video! I was wondering what source you are using for being barelegged under the kilt? I've found a few sources, for example the New Geographical Dictionary from 1760, that suggest that each man wore it his own way, some with trews, some bare legged and there are some really old images, see the engravings from the 30 years war from 1631, that seem to suggest that some men were wearing something covering their legs. I'm always interested in new sources as it's a wee pet project of mine to accumulate books and references on the Highland dress :D
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When people ask my brother what he wears under his kilt, he replies “shoes”. Very interesting video! Thank you for all the history! Excellent job!!!
Q: "What's worn under the kilt?"
A: "nothing, everything is in perfect working order!"
Why DO Scotsmen wear kilts?
I always heard it was because sheep can hear a zipper at 50 yards.
Your brother has a great sense of humour, clearly! I have actually been in the company of lads in kilts, where some adventurous girls have tried to satisfy their curiosity with a very direct exploration. How rude of them, to say the least!
I believe the story goes, it was a blue ribbon!
Like blue jeans in America. First designed for hardscrabble labors of burly men, eventually became Dockers denims.
I asked a Scotsman that once and with a straight face he told me "because a sheep can hear a zipper a mile away." 😂 It took me a second then I just cracked up laughing and I've never forgotten it. Apparently the Scottish have a great sense of humor.
This is what I came to post. 👍🏻
@@charlesmckinley29 are you that Scotsman from so long ago?😆
@@joycebowen8958 nope just hanging out in Redneckistan.
@@joycebowen8958 have you heard “The Scotsman” song by Brian Bowers?
@@charlesmckinley29 no I haven't! I'll definitely check it out.
You missed the oldest joke in the book of kilts .... "What is worn under the kilt?" ... "Nothing, it's all in perfect working order!"
Haha. I've never actually heard that one!
My college buddy (a Scottish descendant) once told me a joke. Why do Scots wear kilts? Because sheep can hear the zipper. Don't get mad. It's just a joke.
Now that’s funny!
I love kilts and the men who wear them.🤗💖👍🏼
Why do they call it a kilt instead of a skirt? Because the last one who called it a skirt was kilt.
HAHAHA BIG FUNNY
I am a Highlander and I wear the kilt all over the world just in case (God forbid) I get mistaken for an Englishman…..💙🏴💙🏴
mate anyone with such a low IQ as to mistake a scot for an english man probably thinks your trans. :)
Och aye
Nasty Scotch racist bigot. Try substituting the n-word or “wog” for “Englishman” and see how that sounds.
The moment they hear the accent that notion would fly straight out the window lol
My family name is McNabb? I live I'm Georgia in the south eastern United States is McNabb a Scottish name?
I mean, it seems like a very practical garment.
• easily accomidates any weight fluctuations
• simplistic design
• easily modified for different temperatures and weather conditions
• fasteners and closures can be as simple or as ornate as the individual desires
• bottom stays out of the muck
• can double as a blanket in a pinch
My wife wears a kilt, I dont of course.
U dont love her?@@douglasreagan4979
@@douglasreagan4979 "Of course" ?
@@cindyknudson2715 Its a dress...duhhhhhh
And have a quick poke with any lady around.
I think they all look gorgeous wearing the kilt.
Old story I heard as a young man, Kiwi visiting Glasgow spent 3 hours walking around trying to find even one person wearing a Kilt. He bumped in to a fairly large bearded man coming round a corner wearing full regalia and exclaims “finally, I found a Scot wearing his Kilt” to be met with the response “No mate, I’m from Auckland!”
Imagine a Kiwi wearing a KILT...
Doing the HAKA !!!
😳 😚 😁
L💋ve from Norway 🇳🇴
@@ninaelsbethgustavsen2131 doable, when do you want to see it.
Yeah na, that's about the strength of it t. Of I had one to wear here in Brazil I would start a fashion trend here too.
@@thecelticprince4949
Ooops !
What have I gotten myself into ? 😳
(😘)
@@thecelticprince4949
Wouldn't a TWEED KILT be awfully warm for Brazil ??
😅
As a piper I wear my kilt quite a bit for a native of the state of Texas. I recently returned from a trip to Scotland where I did wear my kilt. I wore it several times while I played the pipes and all day while touring Edinburgh. People love it, both tourists and locals. At Edinburgh castle I am the subject of many tourist photos. The one thing that happened, that struck me as funny, we were walking through a construction zone that had both streams of traffic concentrated in a very narrow area. I lady passing said, in a broad Scottish accent, "I'll bet yer wearing pants!" t. I was, of course, because I am not going to sit my ass on my dry-clean only kilt. I felt better about my choice when I was in a Kilt makers shop where there was a sign that said "Underwear must be worn with all hired kilts." If you don't like being the center of attention do not wear a kilt in Scotland.
Or if you're clerking in or running a Highland dress shop. If the one in downtown Pitlochry 40 years ago was any example. (Bought a sgian there -- probably The Scottish Shop, on Googling)
Most people do not know pants are not trousers but are underwear for men.
If you wear any kind of underwear beneath your kilt it becomes a skirt!
Her quip about wearing pants was more likely an attempt at starting a conversation !
I might have thought so be we are moving so fast in opposite directions. It was an exceptionally fun and rewarding day.@@MegaDeansy
Having visited Scotland for vacation, I can attest to the majesty of the country and the kindness of the Scottish people. I'm proud to be an American with Scottish ancestry.
Me too.
American with Scottish ancestry 🤩
@@alicel3992 Aye Lassie, me too...one half. 🤩
As an African American with confirmed Scottish roots, my family and I have vacationed in Scotland. It is breathtakingly beautiful. And, each enounter we had with Scots whether casual or visiting businesses such as restaurants was very hospitable. Scotland is a place to cherish.
I am proud to be a Scots Highlander with many American friends 🇺🇸🏴🇺🇸🏴🇺🇸❤️
@@charliemac5154🏴 💖Hello friend... We are two ships passing in the night.
Why does my Scottish husband wear a kilt? Because his two grannies bought him kilt, jacket etc in 1978, when he graduated, and he's worn it to every wedding, Ceilidh, graduation, random gathering and rugby match (no jacket here, you wear a rugby shirt with your kilt to a match) since. Think how much money that's saved him in suits etc since he got it, and the kilt never goes out of fashion. Most recent outing was to our daughter's graduation....same degree, same university, 45 years apart.
Wow. My first one lasted only 25 years. And, 50lbs to be honest! My second I've had for a good 30 years.
And, I imagine, he looks pretty good!
I guess he did not put on weight as he aged. I haven't worn a kilt for about 20 years for this reason. I have just today ordered a bigger kilt to fit my bigger girth! I am a saddler maker and now making a sporran with a longer strap (my first no longer fits!) Got a St Andrew holding his Cross badge to fit to the sporran.
That's awesome I found out I have ties to the Nicholson lowland clan I'm competing for a mature highland games in Alma Michigan and I wanna get the clan Nicholson tartan colors.....
I remember asking that question a lifetime ago of a High School teacher who came from Scotland. He replied that the kilt made it easy to identify the Clan, especially when fighting each other. The kilt made movement over rough terrain easier (more freedom for the legs to move in every-which-way direction; AND the kilt could serve as a blanket when sleeping outdoors overnight. All of those made more sense to me than some of the more recent "explanations"!
@@homie3461 7😮
Now you have the truth! Your teacher was correct!
@@homie3461 I’ve heard the myth they’d fight naked. How much truth is in that?
@@homie3461 that’s why I called it a myth. It wasn’t the Ancient Olympics, after all. But there had to be some seed of truth to it
Your high school teacher was referring to the Great Kilt (Feileadh Mòr) not the post-industrial kilt worn today. The great kilt was essentially multi-purpose uniform and camping gear.
My mother's highland family came to America with Flora MacDonald in 1774; and my father's lowland family from Glasgow in the 19th Century.
Here in Ohio, kilts are worn here and there with some sincerity. My wife’s a Presbyterian and they hold an annual kirkin’ o’ the tartan and take it quite seriously.
I find it funnier knowing she’s German…
That’s interesting!
The Presbyterian Church in West Point Georgia has a fabulous kirkin' o' the tartans.
Hahaha😂 I'm in Cincinnati! Hi neighbor!!❤❤
Marietta(Ohio) here. Locally you’re either Irish or German. I’m the former, and just ordered a kilt for a wedding in September…🙂
Of Scottish decent here. I watched a video on the settling of Appalachia and it stated that the Scottish Irish and Germans settled the area and worked very well together!❤️
My paternal grandfather served with the Gordon Highlanders during World War 1 in the trenches in France. He said the worst aspect of the kilt was the fact that the lower edge would collect caked on mud and then when marching or even walking, the dried muddy edge would swing back and forth rubbing his legs raw.
I hadn’t thought about that
My Maternal Grandfather served with the Gordon Highlanders in WW1 in Germany. I have a picture of him in his full kilt uniform and my brother has the other souveniers he brought back, like the helmet off a dead German officer with the point on top. He's from Wolfhill, near Perth and about a mile from Scone.
Yes... but the advantage of having a kilt was - when shells landed nearby - you didn't have to worry about, ahem, 'filling your trousers'
@@C.M.30337 My own maternal grandfather said that the Scotttish troops were referred to as "the little ladies from hell". Very tough guys.
Sounds like bs
I have heard that it's called a Kilt because anyone who calls it a skirt gets 'kilt'. And if that isn't true, it should be! Enjoyed your presentation. Please keep it going.
I was always told … you can call it a skirt if I’m wearing underwear under it… are you brave enough to find out?
As a lover of Scottish history you actually introduced me to new concepts… Which is delightful!
Brilliant 🙂
Scottish men wear kilts to show off their nice legs.
It's so much easier to understand kilts when you realize that they started as hard-working everyday garments for working people. Cross-culturally, we can find so many garments like this that use quality fabric to best value by being some form of multiuse ,convertible fabric shape, rather than tailored as just one single-purpose-built garment. The how-to-wear then becomes as important as the how-to-sew, which assumes a certain amount of shared knowledge and culture between sewist and wearer.
when we talk about women's fashion, there's lot said about skirts being restrictive to women and boys looking forward to growing out of dress-and-skirt-style infant clothing and into shorts, then pants, as part of maturity. On the other hand, it seems here that there were whole ways of life people lived where a skirt-like garment truly is the blue jeans of it's day -- the garment you wear to move easily, do work, and exist comfortably. And, of course, we've found plenty of ways to make split-leg garments more unwieldy or confining than thy need to be. Practicality in clothing is a moving target. That's really fun to unpack.
fantastic input, thank you
I further add as to the practicality of it, when running around the hills, natural elimination, is easier with split legged pants to pull down, or long robes to hike up. As to what you would wear under it, for practicality again, nothing. When working, or marching, why would you wear anything, unless you ride astraddle.
I don't think that "sewist" is a word. I think the word you're looking for is"seamstress."
“Sewist” is the gender neutral term for anyone that sews. A seamstress is the feminine version of someone who makes clothes, and a tailor is the masculine version of someone who makes clothes.
Obviously, women's skirts were designed to be restrictive....by males. It's a lot more difficult to be equal and have a voice about your current and future life when you can't properly breathe, walk with ease, or more importantly run from abuse.
If I remember the joke correctly there was a Scotsman that had a wee to much to drink at the pub, and he didn’t quite make the trip home so fell asleep under a tree. While pass out two young ladies found him, flipped up his kilt and taking a ribbon from their hair tied a bow around his member, so that when he awoke he would be mortified because he would not remember what he had done. Next morning the Scotsman wakes up and heads back to the pub. The Batman notices the Scotsman’s spry step and questions why he is in such a good mood. The Scotsman comments he was the pretty tipsy last night and want quite sure what happened, but he must have done quite well as he was awarded the blue ribbon!
I remember hearing this song years ago. "Well lad, I don't know where ye been, but I see ye won first prize!"
Some 25 years ago, at a xmas party, I had the unfortunate luck to witness 5 Scotsmen, in kilts, dance to the Can-can! That is something I wish I could un-see but alas every time I see a kilt the memory comes flooding back!
Hahahaha!!! Why dance to that music of all songs?
They had bird legs?
Unsee it?! I wish I could unread it!
@@MyName-tb9oz no they were fit officers in the TA (Territorial Army).
@@TeaParty1776 it was just 1 of those parties… I was carrying a sporran as my handbag was in its place & even though I was wearing a ball gown, I spent the last few hours walking around with a bottle of wine down my cleavage! All this was luckily pre cameras on mobile phones.
I absolutely loved this video. Great information. Kilts and pipes are the last things that 2nd/3rd generation Scotsmen have to remember their homeland in the States. Keep the great videos coming.
An old Scottish gentleman in Tennessee once told me that if ever a man pokes fun and asks "what do you wear under your kilt?" Tell him: "Your wife's lipstick."
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
That'll do.
Sounds on point
This one killed me 😂😂😂😂😂
🤔😂
Great video. You always make history so interesting. The kilt is so beautiful & there are so many tartans. Thanks for sharing with us. You are very handsome in your kilt as well.
Your article was fascinating. But watching the auto-captioning service try to figure our your accent was hilarious. Thanks!
This man must be in entertainment. He’s brilliant and deserves to go far. What a great video. Thank you.
We made a bet with an Englishman that we were so tough that we could make wearing plaid miniskirts look macho. We won!
Yes, the masterstroke was wearing them without panties.
This was so worth waiting for. Thank you for the true history. Keep up with the history and legends please. I love your videos
Thank you! 🙂
Me too!! 😁😁😆😎
Thank you for the history lesson, can't wait for the next one. 🙂❤️
Next one is a bit different, and takes place near a loch 😉
That was Fascinating Robert 👍🏆 I've heard all sorts of stories about the kilt over the years, but the pride in wearing one is something else ❤ I was at a wedding a few years back and a woman put a Polaroid camera up my brother-in-laws kilt, a few minutes later she shouting "It's TRUE It's TRUE"😂🤣😂
What? The helicopter 😄😁😆😅😂 (just kidding. No offense.)
I remember Fergie doing that to Andrew back in the days before Lolita flights.
I am enthralled! What a superb channel to show up on my roster! The narration, the history, the magnificent and gorgeous scenery! Thank you for my new found love affair with all things Scotland!
Well done man, very engaging and spoken, great stories and history! Keep em coming!
Well done. Love your sense of humour whilst educating us. Enjoyed that very much thank you for your efforts.
And, now we know the rest of the story. About kilts. 😉 Thanks, ever so much!!
I'm not a man, but I proudly display the Leslie tartan ****Grip Fast!
Kansas City, Kansas…The Hoof GP sent me and I am so glad! Love these stories and have recommended to my family as we are coming to Scotland together in September.
Another great lesson/presentation! Thanks for sharing!
Simply Splendid Thank You !! 😎💯❤👀🕺🌹🫖🔥⚡🎃✨🪅💎🎩
Interesting history of the kilt for sure. You look very handsome in yours by the way. Blessings to you.
This was very interesting 😁 I thought the kilt went farther back in history 😁 Loved seeing the buildings, statues and parks 🥰
You are such a treasure! You are so informative, I google for days after watching your videos as it peaks my curiosity about so many things. Kilts and bagpipes make my heart pound! Thank you Robert! ❤❤
Brilliant. Google can be a fun rabbit hole! 🙂
You're Scottish, handsome, brilliant, witty, and perspicuous. We're entranced!
Great interesting story! You do such a fantastic ĵob on these these videos. Thank you for sharing your history and legends.
As a Highland Games athlete in the US, wearing the kilt might be my favorite part of competing
Now here I was thinking the kilt was invented because some poor weaver woman said: You're not cutting up that piece of cloth I spent 3 days making!
Haha. No, but the lack of clan tartans in the past was because some poor local weaver woman said “I’m not doing another pattern. You can all wear the same one” 😂
@@scotlandunplugged Now I'm the one who said, I'm tired of this pattern, let's jazz it up. 🤣
In the US, the company Utilikilt popularized non-tartan kilts for both work and play. I couldn't afford one, so I got a knock-off, but it's good....and solid black. I have no Scottish ancestry to the best of my knowledge, but my wife does.
I just love the feeling you get when dressed-up in the full kit, the sense of prids you feel from knowing it looks great !
I'm not ashamed to say my heart fluttered a bit when you put on the goggles and picked up an axe. WHEW!
😂😂👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼
😂😂 I can barely see through those goggles. They’ve been trashed by all the renovating 😂
I truly enjoyed listening to you! You’ve a gleam in your eyes as you speak. Thank you for sharing this information!
Very interesting yet very entertaining at the same time. Thank you for enlightening us 🙂
Thanks for watching 🙂
My mother had a damn good explaination for kilts. She learned to spin wool to make something out of our poodles silky casmere-isk hair, she was brilliant with knitting needles and soon had about a ten x twenty inch rectangle. She lost interest in making anything bigger but she was thrilled with the little blanket.
Imagine living in the highlands and really, by frikken hand, making a big rectangle on a the biggest loom available, nobody will cut it. It's a blanket or a sheet, it's a table cloth, a curtin, a shawl, a raincoat, a dress. If you a make a pair of pants for the freezing cold shepard, he'll just soil them with body fluids, screw that plan I ain't washing trousers in this cold!! listen to mother. Love you all.
Good for her! I cannot wear sheeps' wool.
Well, the traditional Greek outfit is also a skirt (foustanéla, which means skirty-thing), and the myth about what is worn underneath is of course the same:D. The Greek version is white for everybody, from heavily pleated cotton, and worn with white wollen stockings. The woollen cape, shaggy or felted, was also used by warriors as a blanket or to sleep on. Sadly, it hasn't been worn as formal wear for over a hundred years...
Are you suffering PTSD? 😉
I love binge watching your videos. They're informational, interesting, and humorous! And oh, all that wool wasn't wasted on you, you really rock that kilt!
Been so looking forward to this video and...it was great 👍 thank you...Mon the jacobites 🏴😂😂😂 blessings from just up the road in Perth 🙏...
That was a wonderful video, I did not know the history of the kilt.
The obvious answer is comfort and sexiness. Any man looks great in a kilt.
I know where I live with 90+ F and 90+% humidity, some ventilation around the nethers is very welcome!
The propagation of established historical cultural tradition is what makes Us different , interesting and beautiful. Thanks for sharing and Bonjour de Nouvelle Orleans ,USA.
A couple of years ago, I moved to Franklin, North Carolina, one county south of where my mostly Scottish grandfather was born (mom has the family tartan framed hanging on the living room wall). After I moved here, I found that we have the only tartan museum in the U.S., which was a fun surprise for a place otherwise known for its rocks and hills.
Franklin NC -> tartan museum!
Wow, that’s cool! Makes sense, since a lot of Scots ended up in the Carolinas after transportation following the Clearances.
@@DawnDavidson yes! I've heard that the Smoky Mountains are very reminiscent of the Scottish Highlands, and that's why so many settled around here.
One of ther largest Scottish Highland Games in the world is held in Boone, NC on Grandfather Mountain. It is awesome! It is always attended by dancers and athletes from all over the world. And the week before the games there is the School of Scottish Arts teaching mostly Highland dancing but also including some Scottish history, songs and some old Scottish Gaelic.
Also, especially in the Appalachians, the Ulster Scots, or Scots-Irish, tended to settle. The Franklin, NC area was a hotbed of Scots-Irish activity as they came streaming down the Great Wagon Road.
I am of Scottish descent. I live in North Carolina USA where the largest number of Scottish people came to the US. I own 30 Kilts and wear a kilt even out for dinner and most anywhere else.
Do you mean you own 30 versions of your own clan kilt, or 30 random kilts?
@@leeannjohnson1808 And are they all nylon, a top quality kilt will easily set you back £500+?
Your videos are always interesting…and you’re always entertaining. I’m hooked! ❤😊 keep em coming.
Nice quick history. My understanding is that Scots,in general, wear kilt for special occasions. Can/Ams wear them because we like to.
I know this was about kilts but you mentioned bagpipes. I’m from California but ever sense I was a little girl I’ve loved listening to the bagpipes. I would watch the Rose Parade every year hoping that one band was playing them. There’s something so beautiful about their sound. Have you done a video on bagpipe’s? This is my first video of yours.
Not yet but that’s definitely on my list 🙂
I'm American of Scottish descent, and I joke that I got my taste in music from my Scottish ancestors because I love bagpipes!
@@CalliopePonyI love the bagpipes too got lots of Scottish Ancestors
Like not being able to wear awhile the pipes(war drums) also weren’t allowed. Many picked up the violin because it sounded the closest tone wise. I played for almost a decade but only wore a kilt twice
If you really like bagpipes and are still in the the late great State of California, you might check out the Gathering and Games held in Pleasanton over Labor Day Weekend. Closing ceremonies each day are awesome. TH-cam videos are available to watch.
When people (women usually) ask what is worn under the kilt, I say there are 3 possible answers: 1. find someone to tell you, 2. find someone who will show you, and 3. find someone who will let you discover this for yourself! I then ask them (with a twinkle in my eye), guess which one I am? :)
Agreed.❤️. Scotsmen are the biggest flirts! Great dancers and generally fun to be around.😍
When a woman asks me the question, I just smile and reply " how warm are your hands?"
I find it absolutely bizarre that someone would climb the National Monument of Sir Walter Scott to vandalize & deface it with a rainbow flag🤔
It’s just a flag. The pigeon and seagull shit does more damage
You are so funny!!! I love your history lessons with you added funny factoids! And you have great legs❤! K.
Thank you 🙂
Thank you for this. My father’s people came from the Isle of Lewis. Got into a bit of bother, both his mother’s and his father’s ancestors belonged to the group captured at the Battle of Worcester by Cromwell 3 Sept. 1651. They were convicted and sentenced to seven years transportation to Maine in the US. My father was born there 300 years later in a logging camp. I’ve asked him questions about his Scottish ancestors, and his reply was that he and his 10 brothers and sisters were always too hungry to think about anything more than getting through the day. Thanks to you, I am learning a great deal. I really appreciate it. PS I’ve always felt especially badly for the Scots regiments with their bare legs, exposed in the freezing mud of the first world war.
The Highland regiments in WWI actually wore ladies' tights to protect their legs from the cold mud as well as mustard gas.
My clan, Clan MacCulloch is said to have a curse upon our ancestral castle “Cardoness” and it is haunted by 3 spirits. A young boy who died in the dungeon, a young girl who is often seen in the upper floors and a woman who has often been seen and even conversed with in the great hall of Cardoness.
Most of the recent history I've found of the kilt said it had been evolving for some time in both the military and some civilian dress from the great kilt to the walking kilt or short kilt before the Englishman altered it a bit more for the workers in his factory into something close to what we have today. Otherwise, I enjoyed your take on its history.
I'm in US with ancestors from Clans McIver, Stewart of Bute and MacDonald plus probably more. I was amazed to find we on this side of the pond seem to have more who wear the kilt regularly than Scots do. We also put more stock in family tartans rather than the tartan one likes. And much more pride in genealogy of our Clan history rather than national pride. We are a relatively new country and like to touch our ancestors whether they made the perilous trip through clearances or for religious reasons or whatever. Thank God for Sir Walter Scot or we might never have discover the kilt and all its potential accessories.
What a well-written comment. It's so refreshing after reading so many (often the vast majority of) badly-spelled, grammatically-incorrect, online comments.
Actually I misspelled Stuart of Bute. LOL. Thanks though. I try.
Emigrant communities often cling more tightly to their traditions than the people in the old country.
Absolutely loved this video! Very entertaining and informative as well. Thank you! 🌺🌺🇨🇦
Sir Walter Scott is my direct ancestor (I'm not sure how many greats back) my maiden name is Scott. It's nice to hear some history! Thank you!
Great Scott! 😂
He’s an interesting character 🙂
The wool is what made it so versatile. Wool keeps you warm even when wet.
This is a great channel. I can't believe I hadn't found it before now. My Granddad served in WWI with the Canadian Expeditionary Forces and their dress uniforms were with kilts. I have several photos of him in it. I don't know if it was just his Battalion/Regiment (# 240, 150), as I've tried researching that & found little information.
Thank You so much for a fun & fascinating video!
Another brilliant video.. love your kilt, my brother was married in one, he marries a lass from the Isle of Lewis.. beautiful country. Keep up the great work.. 👌💯
Thank you! Lewis is somewhere I’d love to visit!
As a Historian, all I know about the subject: Egyptians wore a type of Kelt wrap, they hail way back in Ancient Time, the Scotts created their own version.
Interesting history and beautiful country! Liked it that you went from scene to scence!!!
Wonderful video - very interesting
So the kilt really started out as the blue jeans or the cowboy pants of the day. It's evolution is interesting, thank you very much for sharing with us!
I am English, I have 2 kilts. My first was brought at Gretna Green, the Tartan is Forever Scotland. My 2nd is red, no idea what the name is. But I love them both and are very comfy.
Way to go lass
Kilted skirts? Kilts don't fit women, nor are they worn by women.
@@kathleenferguson3296 rubbish Kathleen. I love wearing my Kilts, they are very comfortable to wear.
Enjoy them, Eileen, but women do not wear the kilt. It is mans' dress. If you must wear a tartan it had best be just a skirt.
@@kathleenferguson3296 Is it really? My mother wore them.
Great video. You bring history to life & the scenery is amazing!! Thanks for sharing.
You look very handsome in your kilt!
Excellent history of this cracking piece of clothing….thank you
In the US, UtiliKilts and Kilts made by 5.11 Tactical are fairly common.
They are practical and comfortable, apparently.
As a woman, I highly approve.
Yes, my husband has 5 from UtilitiKilts and loves them. He does woodworking and finds them so comfortable to work in. As a woman who loves to wear dresses, I can see how comfortable and practical it is for my husband to wear kilts and not wear restricting pants while working. Also he loves that these have pockets!!!
A young man in Texas, upon discovering his heritage was Scottish, began studying all about Scotland. He said putting on a kilt was hard to do! And wearing it was an experience!!
I was brought up in Scotland,my gran and aunts,always said you can easy tell an English man in Scotland,because he was the only one wearing a kilt.
Best answer to the question "What does a scotsman wear under their kilt?": "Scotland's future."
The nations hope and dreams….
Awesome video! Some true wisdom within it!
Informative and amusing... Many thanks...!
Queen: "I say, Sargent Major, is anything worn under the kilt?"
Sargent Major: "Nay majesty, it's all in perfect working order..."
Good video. I used to wear a kilt to school cadets one day a week,. Got some strange looks from my fellow Sydneysiders!
Fascinating and well done video Robert! Thank you!
Loved this video, really informative and interesting! I also have the BEST pair of tartan trousers! I love them and wear them often! Ahhhh the irony 😂
Thanks Emma! My uncle turned up at my brother’s 40th (a black tie do) wearing some serious tartan “trews”. Might have to get myself a pair. Apparently the trousers come from the military as well. Worn when you had to ride a horse 🙂
@@scotlandunplugged I best saddle up then 😂😂😂
I love the song "Donald, where's your trousers?" It's so catchy!
"A man in a kilt is a man and a half." - Sean Connery
Cobblers to that! The reason is because they can not fasten buttons on trousers.
I need breez for my crown jewellery... 😊.
A man in a kilt is a woman.
@@Old-SoleGo away.
Agreed. 😂😂😂😂
I absolutely love this video! ❤ Well done sir. 😊 I was introduced to kilts by a new friend in 2013. He died in 2014 - I promised him I would buy myself a kilt. It took 8 months to gather the courage in my southern North Carolina town to wear it. Once I did... 😂 I've never looked back! I absolutely love wearing kilts!! I don't own any jeans or pants anymore... only some shorts, and my kilts. I'm not allowed to wear utility kilts to work, but away from work and every weekend, I'm kilted. ❤
Edit: Sorry for the blather.
If you go back 1,000 years or so, I think you see common people in Ireland wearing homespun trews (trousers), and the nobility wearing roomy belted tunics, with a separate cape for bad weather. Trousers use less fabric, but require more work, and short pants or no pants is better if you're in and out of the wet. A roomy, knee-length tunic pulled over your knees at rest is probably warmer than a wet pair of pants. Trousers wear out a lot faster.
I can see where an un-tailored bolt of heavy cloth several feet long could be pretty practical all-around clothing 'system,' with a couple of strategically-placed pins. The weather in the highlands is very changeable. It can go from chilly and soaking wet to clear, hot and muggy, very quickly. If you're out and about, it's more about keeping the wind off most of you than worrying about your core temp or blood flow to your extremities (You're moving). So it's not about getting the measurements right for your Eddie Bauer order.
Wrap it around your waist a few times when it's hot. It's mostly only touching you on the belt line. Unwind it and make a decent hooded cape out of it when it's raining or cold if there's enough length to it. It's still in use to this day. Some guy out with a blanket wrapped around him... Go back very far, and there's a lot of craft cloth - some of very high quality - but before the industrial revolution.
We are speaking of the Scots, not the Irish
A very concise, informative and entertaining account!
The ''utilikilt'' is the latest work attire for kilt wearers.
I'm 63 and I've worn kilts and played the pipes all of my life. And I must say, Summer in California is not a good time to wear a kilt.
'I mean it IS----a mythical, magical place.' So glad that you added that---and prevented me from stopping the video! Scots are awesome.
So the plaid was originally based on where your family came from, not on your surname?
Yeah. The weavers would have been local so certain areas would have their own patterns and tastes. It was around the time of Walter Scott that clan tartans started to emerge.
Yes, each clan has their own plaid. I was told this when I traveled to Scotland and bought one in my family’s lineage
When the local clan chief wanted to form a war party, he would buy the cloth from a local weaver from which kilts were made. Each weaver did a specific tartan, so they became associated with areas. As clans lived in certain areas, they became associated with clans/families.
@@5thdimension625 Yeah, well, they were trying to sell you a kilt, weren't they.
90% of the clan stuff, including family tartan, was invented by the Victorians.
It's like the "druids" at the Welsh Eisteddfod - invented from whole cloth.
Have two styles, my tartan kilt and my denim kilt… the tartan I wear when doing and relaxing away from home ; the denim I wear when working around the barony (house) going too hardware etc… excellent bit of kit… luv to thank the creator of the idea… bloody marvellous !!!
I always heard it is a skirt if you wear undies and a kilt if you don’t 🫣
Well my employer says I must wear something under the kilt while working.
@@the-kilted-trucker59 Well that's authentic - if you take the kilted regiments, do you REALLY think HMG have ever tolerated there being nothing between some squaddies' skanky backside and their expensive, hard to clean, Government issue tartan?
I do Scottish Country Dancing, and bought myself a beautiful tartan sash. It is the "Pride of Scotland" tartan, which was invented because it is pretty. I love it. No genuine Scottish clan or connection... Just a lovely tartan.
Lovely video! I was wondering what source you are using for being barelegged under the kilt? I've found a few sources, for example the New Geographical Dictionary from 1760, that suggest that each man wore it his own way, some with trews, some bare legged and there are some really old images, see the engravings from the 30 years war from 1631, that seem to suggest that some men were wearing something covering their legs. I'm always interested in new sources as it's a wee pet project of mine to accumulate books and references on the Highland dress :D
Thanks, this was both informative and amusing.