SCOTTISH CLOTHING:
MORE THAN JUST KILTS
Presented by
MUNGO NAPIER
LAIRD OF MALLARD LODGE
COVER COMMENTS
This photo was included to show your presenter's interpretation of what a Scottish Lowland commoner would likely have worn in the late SCA period. It is usually claimed that in general Scottish Lowlanders wore similar clothing to their English counterparts of the same class, though often with interesting regional differences.
Lord Mungo lives in 1496, so while the tunic and joined hosen ("tights") he wears were on their way out across Europe, they were still valid garments at this time. Note the German stonecutters from 1505 in the illustration below. The hood was probably uncommon by this late date, but Mungo likes wearing hoods. Remember that Scotland was a poor country and such clothing likely hung on a bit longer there than in England or on the Continent.
Special Scottish touches include the blue bonnet, which was mentioned by several 16th and early 17th century writers. Mungo wears leggings called mogens, adapted from garb worn by members of the Historical Saltire Society re-enacting the James IV period from 1488-1513 (below). Mungo's mogens are held up by woven wool garters. His sporran or pouch would commonly have been worn below the tummy, but offside was not unknown (see the McIan prints in a later section).
Mungo also carries a small knife in his right mogen. The sgian-dubh ("black knife", from its handle's traditional dark wood) dates to the 18th century. It was used by kilted soldiers in British service. Actually it was a "feast dagger", sometimes with a fork and spoon in the sheath. Modern "real world" people expect a Scot to have a so-called "sock knife". Mungo is happy to oblige because a dirk in your boot is way cool!
HIGHLANDS AND LOWLANDS
SOURCE: WIKIPEDIA
MAP COMMENTS
THE MAP:
This map shows Scotland today. During most of the SCA period, the Orkney Islands (and the Shetlands which are off the map) were not part of Scotland. They were Norse possessions, where Norse culture and language were the norm. Both Island groups were conveyed to Scotland in 1468, and immediately became Crown properties, so were more or less part of the Lowlands. Today both island groups are usually lumped with the Highlands.
"Highland Boundary" is misleading. This is actually the Highland Boundary Fault, an earthquake fault causing the Highlands to be . . . well . . . higher than the Lowlands. The fault actually continues to the northeast and wanders into the North Sea near Aberdeen. There never was any physical barrier between the Highlands and the Lowlands. The so-called boundary marks the area where Highland culture and Gaelic language faded out, and Lowland culture and Scots English began. It probably was a fuzzy zone several miles deep where both cultures and languages mixed.
THE HIGHLANDS:
The Highlands included all the Hebrides Islands to the west of mainland Scotland. The Highlands were Gaelic speaking, a relic of Irish conquest by the "Scoti" in the 5th and 6th centuries. Parts of the Highlands under the control of Earls were not much different from the Lowlands, but in the islands and some mainland areas local government by clan chiefs was common. Scottish kings had little control in the Hebrides and in some mainland Highland areas. It wasn't until 1493 that King James IV was able gain full Royal authority in the Islands. Scotland was a very poor country by western European standards, and the Highlands were far poorer than the Lowlands. The Hebrides were a basket case, with many people still living at a level comparable to what their ancestors endured during the dark ages.
THE LOWLANDS:
The main language of the Lowlands was a dialect of Middle English variously called "Scots", "Scottish" or "Scots English". Society and the noble classes were organized along Anglo-Norman feudal lines. At least two Scottish kings were educated at the English court, and imported many English ideas including feudalism. Many Scottish nobles were descended from Anglo-Normans who settled in Scotland, or were descended from native Scots who married into English Anglo-Norman families. Most of these nobles also held lands in England under feudal grants from English kings, which made for some interesting loyalty questions during the Scottish Wars of Independence in the 1300s.
The Scottish nobles, and upper middle class commoners (mostly high-status merchants in the burghs), were well aware that England was more prosperous and generally more stable than Scotland. They were green with envy, and wanted to be LIKE the English, though they didn't want to BE English. Most Scots were happiest when the English stayed south of the border. Fat chance, since nearly all English kings believed it was their right to rule Scotland as a vassal state, or outright through conquest.
CLASS IN SCOTLAND AND THE SCA
Circa 1500, there were some 500,000 people living in Scotland (contrast this with about 2,000,000 in England). The class breakdown went something like this:
10% nobles, or roughly 50,000, both Highland and Lowland
10% middle class, roughly 50,000, mostly in the Lowlands, except for Inverness, one of the few burghs (chartered cities) in the Highlands
80% peasants, both Highland and Lowland
The middle class was strictly divided between upper and lower subclasses:
About 60-70% of the middle class (roughly 30,000-35,000, including family members) were considered lower middle class. They were mainly craftsmen and small merchants who sold goods in their shops or stalls in towns and burghs. This might be foodstuffs or goods of their own manufacture. Many would have been guild members. Occasionally women ran such businesses, usually widows continuing after their husband's death.
The upper middle class (between 15,000-20,000, including family members) was mainly composed of wealthy merchants who exported large quantities of basic goods such as hides, wool, timber or coal. Some merchants imported luxury goods including fine cloth or wine. Often importing merchants also exported Scottish commodities as part of a two-way trade. These high-end merchants were usually burgesses, the ruling/voting elite that ran the burghs. They would elect a provost (mayor), a council, and other officers from among themselves. There were different levels of burgs. Lesser burghs were chartered by earls, or by bishops. Royal burghs enjoyed a higher-level charter granted by the King himself, and were allowed to send representatives to parliament.
Membership in the burgess sub-class was tightly controlled, though not strictly limited to merchants. Professionals such as doctors, lawyers and other educated men might be allowed burgess status. Occasionally goldsmiths and jewelers were included since they sold luxury goods to nobles. If one was not born into a burgess family, it was possible to buy entrance, subject to a vote by the other burgesses, but the fees were steep to keep most lower middle class merchants out. Purchase included throwing a party to get ALL the other burgesses roaring drunk, a very expensive event indeed.
The upper middle class also included a small group of rural landowners who had estates, but were not nobles. Usually known as "lairds", they were equivalent to English country squires. Lairds were not burgesses, unless they also owned property or a business in a burgh. (Mungo is a "laird", since he holds Mallard Lodge.)
Is this important to us? In the SCA members are automatically considered to have been "gentle-born"-- that is, middle class. In Scotland, most of the lower middle class were not considered "gentle born". Only burgesses, educated professionals, and squires could claim this status. In the SCA, this is not so rigid. For example, if you want to be a blacksmith or practice some other craft, and you want to be a Scot, fine. You are still gentle-born in our version of the middle ages. You might even someday be elevated to a Laurel peerage for practicing your craft. Still, class and status are two things to keep in mind when you create a persona, Scottish or otherwise.
And remember, nobody in the SCA is a bleeding peasant, unless for some reason they choose to be.
And remember, nobody in the SCA is a bleeding peasant, unless for some reason they choose to be.
QUOTES ABOUT SCOTTISH CLOTHING
GENERAL OBSERVATIONS BY LORD MUNGO
It is frequently claimed that Lowland Scots wore clothing similar to that of the English. This appears to be valid for commoners and even some nobles, though there are many exceptions noted in the following quotes. Up to about 1500, tunics, cotehardies, long hose and hoods would have been common for Lowland men.
Around 1500, Lowland women appear to have fallen in love with the ersaid, a ladies' version of the Highland great kilt. In royal burghs, some burgesses and their wives may have adopted styles of other countries with which they traded, especially the Low Countries ("German" in some of the following quotes could mean "Dutch"). During the Reformation, styles became more restrained and dull-colored, reflecting the austerity of Scottish Protestantism. Court dress, particularly during the reign of James V, Mary of Guise's regency, and the brief rule of Mary Queen of Scots, was heavily influenced by French styles.
Before the 1500s, Highland clothing was similar to that of Ireland for both men and women, consisting mainly of a leine for men and the similar leine/chemise for women, both wrapped in a plaide or breccan. One cannot rule out Norse influence in the Hebrides, particularly before the islands became Scottish in 1266. Some commentators have suggested that Highland earls would have worn English-style clothing at court beginning in the 1400s.
The kilt does not appear in written history until 1594, and this would have usually been the féileadh mór or great kilt. The "wee kilt" appeared in the 1700s, and technically shouldn't be worn in the SCA at all. There is some slim evidence that the great kilt was worn by the Picts, and might have continued in use in formerly Pictish territory, as well as the possibity of the wee kilt in the 14th century (See my separate pages on the Great Kilt for more on this).
CONTEMPORARY QUOTES ABOUT SCOTTISH MEN'S CLOTHING
[The following quotes are based on the work of Sharon Krossa, and the former ScotWars web pages. Some additions and comments have been made. Wording in translations was altered to reflect the text quoted in books actually in the presenter's personal library. Full references to the sources are found on the bibliography page at the end of this section.]
MEN’S HIGHLAND DRESS:
“From the middle of the thigh to the foot they have no covering for the leg, clothing themselves with a mantle instead of an upper garment and a shirt dyed with saffron. . . . In time of war they cover their whole body with a shirt of mail of iron rings, and fight in that. The common people of Highland (lit. ‘wild’) Scots rush into battle having their body clothed with a linen garment manifoldly sewed and painted or daubed with pitch, with a covering of deerskin.” --1521, John Major, as quoted in McClintock.
“. . . and they were naked except for their stained shirts, and a certain light covering made of wool of various colours.” --1556, Jean de Beaugué, L’histoire de la Guerre d’Ecosse, quoted in Kelly.
“All, both nobles and common people, wore mantles of one sort (except that the nobles preferred those of several colors). These were long and flowing, but capable of being neatly gathered up at pleasure into folds. I am inclined to believe that they were the same as those to which the ancients gave the name of brachæ. . . . The rest of their garments consisted of a short woolen jacket, with the sleeves open below for the convenience of throwing their darts [javelins], and a covering for the thighs of the simplest kind, more for decency than for show or defense against the cold. They made also of linen very large shirts, with numerous folds and wide sleeves, which flowed abroad loosely to the knees.” --1578, Bishop Lesley, De Origine, Moribus et Rebus Gestis Scotorum, as quoted in McClintock.
"They delight in variegated garments, especially stripes, and their favorite colors are purple and blue. Their ancestors wore plaids of many colors of many colors, and numbers still retian this custom but the majority now in their dress prefer a dark brown, imitating nearly the leaves of the heather, that when lying upon the heath in the day, they may not be discovered by the appearance of their clothes, in these wrapped rather than covered, they brave the severest storms in the open air, and sometimes lay themselves down to sleep even in the midst of snow." --1581, George Buchanan, Rerum Scoticarum Historia, as quoted in McClintock.
"They delight in variegated garments, especially stripes, and their favorite colors are purple and blue. Their ancestors wore plaids of many colors of many colors, and numbers still retian this custom but the majority now in their dress prefer a dark brown, imitating nearly the leaves of the heather, that when lying upon the heath in the day, they may not be discovered by the appearance of their clothes, in these wrapped rather than covered, they brave the severest storms in the open air, and sometimes lay themselves down to sleep even in the midst of snow." --1581, George Buchanan, Rerum Scoticarum Historia, as quoted in McClintock.
"Their exterior dress was mottled cloaks of many colors with a fringe to their shins and calves; their belts were over their loins outside their cloaks." -- 1594, Lughaid O'Cleirigh, The Life of Hugh Roe O'Donnell, as quoted in Thompson. [This description is generally recognized as the first verifiable mention of the féileadh mór or great kilt].
“They are clothed after the Irish fashion, in striped mantles, with their hair thick and long.” --1607, Camden, Britannia, quoted in Kelly.
“They are clothed after the Irish fashion, in striped mantles, with their hair thick and long.” --1607, Camden, Britannia, quoted in Kelly.
“At the end of the 16th century, Lady Montgomery, wife of Sir Hugh Montgomery, set up and encouraged linen and woolen manufactory (in Ulster), which soon brought down the prices of the breakens (tartans) and narrow cloths of both sorts.” --1613, unattributed quote in Grange.
"It appears that the desire for uniformity in the colours of tartan used by a clan was beginning in the early 1600's: . . . remove the red and white lines from the plaides of his men so as to bring their dress into harmony with that of other septs." --1618, Letter from Sir Rbt. Gordon of Gordonstoun to Murray of Pulrossie, quoted in Grange.
"Many Highlanders were observed in this town (Edinburgh), in their plaids, many without doublets, and those who have doublets have a kind of loose flap garment hanging loose about their breech, their knees bare; they inure themselves to cold, hardship, and will not diswont themselves; proper personable well-complexioned men, and of able men: the very gentlemen in their blue caps and plaids.” --1635, Sir William Brereton, quoted in Grange.
MEN’S LOWLAND DRESS:
"The husbandmen in Scotland, the servants, and almost all in the country did wear coarse cloth made at home, of grey or sky-color, and flat blue caps, very broad. The merchants in cities were attired in English or French cloth, of pale color, or mingled black and blue. The gentlemen did wear English cloth, or silk, or light stuffs, little or nothing adorned with silk lace, much less with lace of silver or gold, and all followed at this time the French fashion, especially at court." –1598, Fynes Moryson, Itinerary, v. 4.
“Myself was at a knight’s house, who had many servants to attend him, that brought in his meat their heads covered with blue caps. . . .” –1598, Fynes Moryson, Itinerary, quoted in Rae.
CONTEMPORARY QUOTES ABOUT SCOTTISH WOMEN'S CLOTHING
WOMEN’S HIGHLAND DRESS:
"Their women's attire is most becoming. Over a gown reaching to the ankles, and generally embroidered, they wore large mantles . . . woven of different colours. Their chief ornaments were the bracelets, and neck laces with which they decorate their arms and necks." –1570s, Bishop Lesley, quoted in Kelly. [The text seems to describe the ersaid, a women’s version of the great kilt.]
WOMEN’S FASHIONS, EDINBURGH:
"Many [women] wear (especially the meaner sort) plaids, which is a garment of the same woolen stuff whereof saddle cloths in England are made, which is cast over their heads and covers their faces on both sides, and would reach almost to the ground, but that they pluck them up and wear them cast under their arms." --1636, Sir William Brereton, quoted in Grange,
"Some ancient women and citizens wear satin straight-bodied gowns, short little cloaks with great capes, and a broad bonegrace coming over their brows and going out with a corner behind their heads: and this bonegrace is as it were lined with a white starched cambric suitable thereto." --1636, Sir William Brereton, quoted in Dunbar. [Bonegrace: a silk, or cloth hood over a starched under-coif projecting around the face like the headgear of some religious orders?]
"Young maids not married all are bare-headed, some with broad thin shag ruffs, which lie flat to their shoulders, and others with half bands, with wide necks, either much stiffened or set with wire, which come only behind: and these shag ruffs, some are more broad and thick than others." --1635, Sir William Brereton, quoted in Dunbar.
"The ancient dress wore by the women, and which is yet wore by some of the vulgar, called ersaid, is a white plaid, having a few small stripes of black, blue and red; it reached from the neck to the heels, and was tied before the breast with a buckle of sliver or brass, according to the quality of the person . . . The plaid being pleated all round, was tied with a belt below the breast; the belt was of leather, and several pieces of silver intermixed with leather like a chain . . . The head dress was a fine kerchief of linen (tight) around the head, hanging down the back taper-wise; a large lock of hair hangs down their cheeks above their breast, the lower end tied with a knot of ribbands." --1703, Martin Martin, Description of the Western Islands of Scotland, quoted by Sharon Krossa.
"The ancient dress wore by the women, and which is yet wore by some of the vulgar, called ersaid, is a white plaid, having a few small stripes of black, blue and red; it reached from the neck to the heels, and was tied before the breast with a buckle of sliver or brass, according to the quality of the person . . . The plaid being pleated all round, was tied with a belt below the breast; the belt was of leather, and several pieces of silver intermixed with leather like a chain . . . The head dress was a fine kerchief of linen (tight) around the head, hanging down the back taper-wise; a large lock of hair hangs down their cheeks above their breast, the lower end tied with a knot of ribbands." --1703, Martin Martin, Description of the Western Islands of Scotland, quoted by Sharon Krossa.
WOMEN’S LOWLAND DRESS:
"Gentlewomen married, did wear close upper bodies, after the German manner, with large whalebone sleeves, after the French manner, short cloaks like the Germans, French hoods, and large soft falling bands about their necks. The unmarried of all sorts did go bareheaded and wear short cloaks with most close linen sleeves upon their arms, like the virgins of Germany." – 1598, Fynes Moryson, Itinerary, v. 4. [Whalebone sleeves: sleeves stretched on whalebone hoops; falling bands: a deep linen collar, turned down.]
"The inferior sort of citizen's wives and the women of the country did wear cloaks made of coarse stuff, of two or three colors of checker-work, vulgarly called ploddan." – 1598, Fynes Moryson, Itinerary, v. 4.
"To conclude, in general they would not at this time be attired after the English fashion in any sort, but the men, especially at court, followed the French fashion, and the women, both in court and city, as well as in cloaks as naked heads and close sleeves on the arms and all other garments follow the fashion of the women of Germany." – 1598, Fynes Moryson, Itinerary, v.4.
ON HEAD COVERINGS:
Married, divorced or widowed women were expected to cover their heads outside of their homes, especially in church, as a mark of shame and penance for having "known sin". There was no such requirement for men (Sorry ladies -- the men were being pigs!).
"A married woman wore a kertch (gaelic: bried caol). This was made from linen and was like a modern headsquare: it was rolled from one corner into the middle and the thick band which this made was put around the head and pinned into the hair to stop it falling down. The remaining triangular piece of linen could hang down onto the neck. Women who weren't married wore what was called a “snood” (Gaelic: stiom) which was a length of ribbon which passed under the girl's hair at the back of her head, and was tied in a bow on top . . . " [Source: Scottish Tartans Authority web site: tartansauthority.com ].
Other types of caps and head coverings appear to have also worn by married women.
It is not clear from these comments if head covering customs applied to both Highland and Lowland women. The use of Scots and Gaelic terms above suggests both, but your presenter does not know when this was common practice.
MARRIAGE NAMING CONVENTIONS
"When a woman was married in late medieval Scotland, she was regarded rather as providing a link with another kin group rather than becoming completely assimilated into her husband's kin. She did not take his name. She was considered, for example, as a Gordon who married a Hamilton, not as someone whose marriage had made her a Hamilton." [Source: Brown, Jennifer M. (ed). Scottish Society in the Fifteenth Century. London: Edward Arnold (Publishers) Ltd., 1977.]
15th CENTURY NORTHERN ALLIANCE
The livery badge tells us this Scottish longbow archer (left) is a Sinclair retainer. The minstrel (right) with the hurdy-gurdy is wearing clothes similar to Lord Mungo's.
This cook (left) represents a servant or lower middle-class housewife. Her sleeves are detachable. The gentlewoman (right) wears a cap. The sleeves of her bodice are turned at the wrists to show their lining.
MID-16TH CENTURY AT STIRLING CASTLE
Mary of Guise employed not one, but two female jesters. The male servant wears a tunic over a linen shirt, short breeches and hosen.
This chambermaid wears a simple "pinafore dress" over an under-skirt and chemise without a blouse or bodice. Her shoes are "Mary Janes" with slashed toes. Royal servants for more menial jobs were drawn from the lower middle class. This woman could be the wife, daughter or widow of a small tradesman or merchant. Her clothes are possibly much the same was worn by other townswomen of her class.
MID-16th CENTURY STIRLING KITCHENS
Stirling Castle bakers (left), with folded brim caps. General kitchen helper (right) in short breeches with a jacket. Note tied points on the jacket back. Why the bakers are the only painted figures in the Stirling kitchens is puzzling.
A kitchen boy is crying over spilled milk in expectation of the inevitable beating. A woman preparing a duck. She wears approximately the same costume as the chamber maid in the previous section.
Historian and television presenter Dr. Lucy Worsley notes that women in English Tudor kitchens were rare, as men were paid more, a mark of status for their employers. Scottish nobles may have done the same, but OTOH we Scots are notoriously tight fisted. This is the only woman in the Stirling Castle kitchen tableaus.
OTHER FIGURES WITH DATES
(Left) A high churchman from Glasgow Cathedral, in his rooms at Provends Lordship circa 1500. Isabella MacDuff, Countess of Buccan (right), crowns King Robert the Bruce in 1306.
Goldsmiths displayed in the tableaux leading to the Honors of Scotland (the Crown Jewels) at Edinburgh Castle. John Mosman (left), is about to set 22 new jewels into the recast Royal Crown, 1540. Andrew Leyes and his helper are recasting the Royal Scepter, 1536 (right).
R.R. McIAN VICTORIAN-ERA PRINTS
A plaide worn as a cloak (left). The skirt is wrong for our period. An ersaid or ladies' great kilt (right). The sleeves are18th century. She is unmarried, shown by her loose hair.
A great kilt (left), worn with a doublet circa 1600. Note how the compicated sporran is off-side. Another great kilt (right). Ignore the 18th century jacket. He holds a Lochabar axe, a useful tool against English cavalrymen.
SCOTTISH CLOTHING INFORMATION
BOOKS:
Dunbar, John Telfer. The Costume of Scotland. London: B.T. Batsford Ltd., 1981.
Grange, R.M.D. A Short History of the Scottish Dress. London: Burke's Peerage Limited, 1966.
Kelly, Gerald A. John. Before the Kilt: How the Irish and Scots Dressed in the 16th Century. Seaford, N.Y., Clo an Druiadh / Druid Press, 2011.
MacKenzie, Agnes Mure. The Scottish Pageant 1513-1625. Edinburgh and London: Oliver and Boyd, 1948.
McClintock, H.F. Old Irish and Highland Dress. Dundalk: W. Tempest, 1943.
McIan, R. R. The Clans of the Scottish Highlands: The Costumes of the Clans. New York, Alfred Knopf, 1980. McIan's paintings show mostly 18th century costume, but a few have pre-1600 elements. Basing costume choices on his paintings is a risky business, but the illustrations are a joy to view.
Moryson, Fynes. Itinerary. Glasgow, James MacLehose and Sons, 1908. Internet Archive: https://archive.org/details/itinerarycontain04mory, retrieved 2018.
Rae, T.I. Scotland in the Time of Shakespeare, Ithica, New York: Cornell University Press, 1965.
Thompson, Derick S., ed. The Companion to Gaelic Scotland. Glasgow: Gairm Publications, 1994.
With the exception of Johnson’s THE KING’S SERVANTS, the folowing works are not primarily about clothing, but do contain useful illustrations.
Most of the Osprey books remain in print. Several of the others might be borrowed through interlibrary loan, or found on the used market. All are worthy of inclusion your library.
Cooper, Jonathan. SCOTTISH RESAISSANCE ARMIES 1513-1550. Oxford UK: Osprey, 2008.
Cowan, Edward J., Henderson, Lizanne (Eds.). A HISTORY OF EVERYDAY LIFE IN MEDIEVAL SCOTLAND, 1000 TO 1600. Edinburgh UK: Edinburg University Press, 2011.
Durham, Keith. STRONGHOLDS OF THE BORDER REIVERS, FORTIFICATIONS OF THE ANGLO-SCOTTISH BORDER 1296-1603. Oxford UK: Osprey, 2008.
Durham, Keith. THE BORDER REIVERS. Oxford UK: Osprey, 2008.
Durham, Keith. THE BORDER REIVER 1513-1603. Oxford UK: Osprey, 2011.
Johnson, Caroline. THE KING’S SERVANTS, MEN’S DRESS AT THE ACCESSION OF HENRY VIII. Lightwater, Surry UK: Fat Goose Press, 2009. Available from The Tudor Tailor: www.tudortailor.com .
Marshal, Rosalind K. VIRGINS AND VIRAGOS, A HISTORY OF WOMEN IN SCOTLAND FROM 1080-1980. Chicago: Academy Chicago, 1983.
Reid, Stuart. CASTLES AND TOWER HOUSES OF THE SCOTTISH CLANS 1450-1650. Oxford UK: Osprey, 2006.
Yeoman, Peter. PILGRIMAGE IN MEDIEVAL SCOTLAND. London UK: B.T. Batsford / Historic Scotland, 1999.
WEB SITES:
Krossa, Sharon. Scottish Clothing Resources: medievalscotland.org/clothing, 1996, retrieved 2019. Sharon's pages also include extensive dated lists of Gaelic and Scots names.
Historic Saltire Society: www.historicsalitre.scot. On of Scotland's best re-enactment clubs known for its excellent shows. Very good period costumes are shown in their gallery of past events.
Schiltron: schiltron.squarespace.com. Another very professional re-enactment club frequently seen at fairs across Scotland. Their site is well worth exploring, especially their gallery pages.
Northern Alliance: twitter.com/medievalNA. The Northern Alliance specializes in 15th century Scotland. Their Twitter page has some illustrations showing costumes.
ScotWars: scotwars.com. ScotWars is now manly concerned with the English Civil War and the Jacobite Wars. Their "Old ScotWars" site, linked from their home page, has several articles of use to Scadians.
SCOTTISH CLOTHING VENDORS
Celtic Croft: kilts-n-stuff.com. Great kilts, wee kilts, sporrans and other accessories. While not actually period, their licensed "Highlander" line of plaides are likely close to early tartan colors. "Cheater pleats" are available on their period kilts (ask for "box pleats"). Avoid the "utility kilt" and Mel Gibson's "ancient kilt". They also offer kilts in various alternatives to wool, especially nice for hot weather wear, or for those wool allergies. I own one of their great kilts and it is of excellent quality.
Historic Enterprises: historicenterprises.com. High-quality medieval clothing from the Viking era, up through the 15th century. They have some really nice wool hoods.
Historical Caps: historicalcaps.net. Various Scottish and other period bonnets, including statute caps and Monmouth caps, both worn in the mid-to-late 16th century. Explore their "15th-18th Century Gallery" and their "Rogues Gallery", though some photos are not SCA period. Remember, light blue is for peasants.
MacQueen of Kilts, aka Tess Wadding: macqueenofkilts_AT_gmail.com. Custom-made kilts (the 18th century "wee kilt" shown in the kilt pages on this blog is her work).
MacQueen of Kilts, aka Tess Wadding: macqueenofkilts_AT_gmail.com. Custom-made kilts (the 18th century "wee kilt" shown in the kilt pages on this blog is her work).
Nativearth Footwear: nativearth.net/period.html. Ghillie sandals, other period footwear, and plain sporrans.
Revival Clothing: revivalclothing.com. High-quality medieval clothing, chiefly 13th-15th century, including tunics and joined hosen.
Scottish Tartans Museum: giftshop.scottishtartans.com. Custom made kilts and woven wool garters. The Museum also has its own web site with some interesting resources at scottishtartansmuseum.org.
