Kilted Skiers in the Scottish Sunshine

Cairngorm Mountain enjoyed some unusual visitors this weekend including skiers wearing only shorts and other skiers in kilts.

The BBC reports that in the soaring temperatures there was a carnival atmosphere on the slopes and they are hoping to be skiing there until next weekend.

Skiing in kilts is of course not new to Cairngorm. In March this year, some 235 skiers donned kilts to set a new world record for skiing in kilts.

If you're planning skiing in a kilt we would recommend that this is definitely one case where it would be prudent to keep on the undergarments!

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Student Denied Permission to Wear Kilt To Graduation

CTV Calgary reports that a Canadian student in Alberta has been refused permission to wear his kilt to his high school graduation. The high school have a strict dress code and they have refused the young man's request to wear formal kilt attire.

The comments following the report make interesting reading with an overwhelming majority of comments supporting the student's wish to wear his kilt.

Full story here

Tartan Clad Ex-Soldiers to Guard EICC

Visitors to the Edinburgh International Conference Centre should soon be treated to the site of security operatives clad in Black Watch tartan.

Vigilant Security Services have won the contract to provide security services at the Centre. many of the staff at Vigilant are former Black Watch officers and the company was founded by ex-servicemen and women.

Via the Scotsman

Black Watch Tribute Tartan Released

In January of this year a new tartan was released as a tibute to the famous army regiment, the Black Watch. Named the Red Hackle, it bears a striking resemblance to the original and popular Black Watch tartan, only this tartan has 2 red shades layered over the top to represent the red hackle that the Black Watch soldiers wore in their bonnets.

It was designed by Perthshire-based House of Edgar, with the final tartan approved by Black Watch officials.

A percentage of sales of the tartan will be given to the Black Watch Heritage Trust.

Kilt Is World's Most Popular Traditional Garment

The kilt has topped a poll to find the world's most popular traditional garment.

A massive 67% of people polled voted for the kilt, the survey by travel agent www.sunshine.co.uk found.

The Japanese kimono came in second and Hawaiian grass skirts came third.

Of course it's no surprise to us that the kilt is so popular. We believe it should be in the wardrobe of all the best dressed men. Please have a look at our kilts if you're considering buying one for yourself.

How to Wear a Sash

There are several schools of thought on which side a lady should wear a sash. The Royal Scottish Country Dance Society say the sash should be pinned to the left shoulder, but the Lord Lyon has some different ideas, being that in general ladies should pin the sash to the right shoulder unless:

1. The Lady is a Chief or Chieftain in her own right
2. The Wife of a Chief or Chieftain
3. The Wife of a Colonel of a Highland Regiment

So there we are then, as clear as mud!!

I have two suggestions as to how to wear the Sash

1. Pass the Sash under the opposite arm with slightly more Sash to the front, then pass the piece at the back over the opposite shoulder allowing it to fall down the front. Finally the longer front piece is crossed over the opposite shoulder to hang down the back. You then pin with a Brooch the Sash to your shoulder.
2. An alternative is to wear the Sash so that it will not cover the dress. Just half the Sash and pin it to your shoulder allowing both end to fall free at the back.

The Brooch can be either a Clan Crest Badge or a small plaid brooch about 65mm in diameter.

How to Wear The Great Kilt

The Great Kilt or Breacan Freile pronounced "brech’n’fail" is made up using between 3 and 6 yards of double width cloth (54 to 60 inches), fringed at both ends. The Breacan Freile was worn by the Scottish Highlanders as there clothes during the day and blanket by night. As these were undocumented times we can only guess as to how they wore it.

Our best guess is as follows:

1. Put a large leather belt stretched out over the floor or a bed.
2. Lay your length of cloth over your belt so they cross each other.
3. Pleat the Tartan over the belt leaving about 16inches on each side un-pleated to be used as the front aprons.
4. Lie backwards onto the pleated section of the kilt with your knees over the side of the bed.
5. Bring the under apron (right side) over your front.
6. Then bring the front apron (left side) over your front, keeping the hem on both aprons even.
7. Fasten the belt around your middle.
8. Stand Up.
9. The Plaid ( the cloth above the waist) will now hang down over the Kilt to about the middle of your calf.
10. Take each end of the plaid in each hand
11. Bring the two end together at your back and bring the Plaid over your left shoulder.
12. Pin with a Brooch at your shoulder.

Sketch by Pedro of Crieff