"What do they really wear under the Kilt?"

The other day I got asked this question - "What do you wear under your Kilt?".

The person asking is a missionary from Texas and he has been teaching a person with a strong Scottish background.

So I happened to have a copy of a Scottish products catalog and showed him a version of the famous shirt that has the top ten responses.

You may view the t-shirt on the Celtic Croft website in detail here.

Here is what they have on the t-shirt and part of the list.  For those that want something a little cleaner you'd have to dump about half the list.

1.   My shoes and socks
2.   Nothing worn - Everything is in perfect working order
3.   My furry pouch - oh wait that is on top.
4.   A very fine set of accessories
5.   My used beer dispenser
6.   Good girls don't ask, bad girls find out
7.   My Claymore - and it's in need of a good polishing.....
8.   Lipstick when I'm lucky....
9.   If your brave enough to ask, you're brave enough to find out
10. I'll show you mind if you show me yours

Another interesting version can be viewed here from USA Kilts

There are also some great responses in the must read book for those that will be using a kilt.  It's called "So you're going to wear the Kilt!"  by  J. Charles Thompson.  They are much cleaner but basically, rest on the 'plumbing is working do you need a demonstration?'





So as you can see there are a few catchy things you can say to someone that is questioning you about what you are wearing under your kilt.

The Kilt in and of itself is very interesting.  It's almost always historically made of a tartan material of wool.

The interesting part is that within the Celtic culture tartan style material/cloth has been in use for millennia.  However, the kilt seems to be a bit of a more modern invention even though it is one of the great symbols of Scotland along with the Bagpipe.
The origins of the kilt are somewhat cloud in the mysteries of time and space.  The Britain Celts who were closely associated with the Romans for several hundred years appear to not have used any style of kilt at that time.  The Celts on the European Continent also have no historical use of the Kilt.  It was more trousers.  The Irish also seem to not have used one though it is generally accepted that the fore runner of the modern kilt is or was the Breacan an Fhéilidh (belted plaid) or Feileadh Mòr (great plaid).



Basically the original kilts were large pieces of cloth that were pleated by hand (kilting) and then belted around the middle.  This left a huge amount of material that could be thrown over the shoulder and wrapped around the user.  These could and would be a little short on the bottom side.  Not nearly getting to the knee in many cases and this lends credence to that Mr. Thompson says are the Victorian ear kilts that go to the knee or beyond.

I find it is best if the kilt goes to around the knee.  For modesty and religious reasons even my shorts need to be that long.  It's kind of slutty for a woman to use a micro mini with no leggings and a super short kilt is just unbecoming to a man no matter his age.

Kilts as we know them today started to appear at least in the 16th century.  They were present for all the Jacobite rebellions. Though the chieftains likely used Thews (plaid pants) so they could ride horses easier.  The general soldier or clansman wore the kilt and even removed it in many cases to fight and tied his shirt between his legs.



Over time the kilt began to shed the additional material that was above the waist.  This may have been for comfort or other similar reasons as more and more Scots moved around the world.

Today the kilt is made of about 3 yards of tartan material.  It is pleated to the sett by the maker and includes buckles and straps to help secure it.  It is also used for more formal events and less for everyday use.  Though in reality a person may use the same kilt at the local Highland Games and then a week or so later at his friends wedding.  It is the upper accessories that change.  The style of shirt, the coat or lack there of, the plaid, the cap, the style or quality of the sporran and the Sgian dubh.



So for those that are brave enough these days to wear a kilt. What do they use or wear under there?

It all come down to personal preference.  I've seen many a caber tosser, or heavy athlete that uses so type of tight fitting short.  Not them mighty whitey underwear so many use daily.  More like athletic shorts.  They whirl, and turn and twist so much you'd see more then you want at some point.  Also the few guys that do highland dancing any more also use some type of shorts under there.  They also whirl, twist, and turn and jump so much you need to.  We've seen more then our fair share of dancer's under garments without out even trying.

So I think things like these t-shirts with a list of interesting things to say when someone wants to know what is under your kilt are just for fun, and to help keep the mystery going.  At times I think these quick, cheesy, and sometimes lewd, responses are just what people need.  We don't go around asking a lady what she has on under her skirt.  It would be interesting if they stated to describe in detail their panties to the poor sick bum that was crazy enough to ask.




One shirt states - "If there is underwear under there it's called a skirt!"

I'll let you decide what I might be wearing under my kilt the next time I'm at the local Scottish Fair.

Buaidh - NO - Bas

Historical Gaeldom - A perspective

I just started to read a book entitled "Kenneth" by Nigel Tranter.  I'd seen the name before because he wrote a historical fiction about Somerled.    So when I spotted the book for 25¢ at the local Friends of the Library I had to jump at the chance.  Helps that it is about one of my other many Gaelic Ancestors and none other then Kenneth Mac Alpin the Famous leader of the the Dal Riata and Picts.  At times called a Nation builder since we join the two groups together politically for the first time or so they say.





What I find interesting is the many different cross cutting details provided from this book and the general history of Gaeldom as we know it.   It is said that the Scottish kingdom of Dal Riata was settled by some Irish (possibly in Exile) back who knows how far.   And thus this spread eventually to cover all of what we now call Scotland.  But, the ever mysterious Picts are in the middle of all this. along with the mixed area like Galloway.

Due to poor record keeping or the mists of time the real details are a bit sketchy.    What is clear is that the language spoken in the Highlands of Scotland today is very much similar to the Gaelic of Ireland so there had to be some connection.  When exactly this connection began and to what extent it is hard to tell.  It goes back to an age of legends and Legendary leaders like Cormac Mac Airt, Fergus Mór mac Eirc, St. Columba and St. Patrick.  This connection carried on well into the 16th century with the employment of the Galloglass mercenaries in

Ireland that in many cases came from the clans of the highland.  And then there was the concerted effort to import Scots into northern Ireland during the plantations phase, hoping to supplant the local catholic population.

Diagram of Celtic languages of British Isles
(Michael Newton, 2008) - http://sites.stfx.ca/celtic_studies/hist_gaelic_scotland

One thing I find interesting in the book by Nigel Tranter is the mention of Kilts early on in the book.  It is not very clear when exactly kilts came into being.
 "- It being not difficult to tell which was which, for the Gaels all wore tartans, plaids, jerkins, kilts.  Most men were fighting on foot, hand-to-hand, the preferred method in close combat."
Kenneth - Nigel Tranter Page 26

But by the 16th century they were present in Scotland.  They got banded at one point and by the good fortune of a couple of English men were reintroduced in the 18th century.  But, the kilt came from Ireland in fact and cross the Irish sea at some unknown time.  But, that is the great part of historical fiction.  You can meld together the known facts and fill in the gaps with stuff that makes sense.  it makes sense that a form of dress that would be come so wide spread in the highlands would have been present there for many years, alas decades if not centuries before we have it recorded down by foreigners.  What would have changed so drastically that the populous would have gone from some kind of pants to a start using a kilt?   That is a good question.  In reality the change must have been gradual and based on a need for some type of clothing like the Brat.
Thus the details are shrouded in the mists of time..... so we will never really know for sure.




I'm reminded of a conversation I once had with a client on the phone - good old Sean Mcmannus of the Irish National Caucus (some type of political group for sure) who just had to make sure I knew that good old Finn MacCoul was not real. 
However, he would have had to talk the better part of a day to prove his point and in the end he probably could not conclusively prove it so.   This is one area that most of the known material is sketchy at best, and very much in the realm of legend.  How in reality would believe that if you suck on your thumb down to the bone you can obtain the wisdom necessary to get out of any situation just because you touched a hot, blistering Salmon of knowledge while it was cooking?   But, we know the Fianna did exist.  So that is the part that makes thing complicated. 

So as I dive into the mists of time and try to piece together what I can about those ancient kingdoms of Dál Riata, Alba, Galloway and the such I find more questions then answers.  But, I continue to find fascinating things out at every turn.  And this can help me better appreciate the many good historical fictions written by such authors as Morgan Llywelyn and Nigel Tranter.



So here is to all our brothers - lost in time or not throughout all of Gaeldom - Picti, Caledonnii, Cumbrians, Albannach, Scoti, Hiberni, Dalriadian, Gallovidian, and Lochlannaich of the Hebridean Isles

You have all left us with a rich history.  May we be worthy of this honor.

If you'd like to see if your related to any of these great historical figures check out my post on Are You Related to Someone Famous

Buaidh - NO - Bas