The Kilted King

**Tobus** · 20th February 23, 06:24 AM

Originally Posted by Jock Scot

Far be it for me to question this, particularly as I have not viewed the Atholl Highlanders for more than year or two, but, my rather imperfect memory tells me that the red hose that the Atholl Highlanders wear are rather more red than the King is wearing in that picture.

The Atholl Highlanders wear a lovely marled red hose with simple ribbed cuff.

**Silmakhor** · 20th February 23, 07:36 AM

Originally Posted by Tobus

The Atholl Highlanders wear a lovely marled red hose with simple ribbed cuff.

Interesting photo! The tartan in both the plaids and the kilts appears to have some variation. Different mills?

**Tobus** · 20th February 23, 10:22 AM

Originally Posted by Silmakhor

Interesting photo! The tartan in both the plaids and the kilts appears to have some variation. Different mills?

They do have quite a lot of variation in their kit. If you search online for images of them, you'll see some plaids that are old and faded right next to others that are new, and the same with their kilts. They mix colour schemes and sett sizes too, even though the tartan is the same. Not all their kilts are pleated the same, either. They are a bit of a motley crew. I find it refreshing.

You can see the plaid in the centre of the previous photo has either a large tear or moth damage.

*edited to add: take a look at the mix of plaid colours/styles in this photo!

**Jock Scot** · 20th February 23, 12:17 PM

A classic example of the traditional Scots indifference to have the need for everything must match precisely. Yes, the tartan is the same, but exact sett sizes and exact colours are not an issue.

**OC Richard** · 22nd February 23, 05:22 AM

Originally Posted by Tobus

Take a look at the mix of plaid colours/styles in this photo!

As I recall Peter has posted a photo of a group of those plaids.

I seem to remember that some are quite old, and original Wilson's cloth.

About the hose, yes they vary, on the left a "warm" red and on the right a "cool" red, almost claret.

In this photo the King appears to be wearing claret (maroon?) hose

In this photo the hose appear to be a lovely interesting dusty-pink

**figheadair** · 23rd February 23, 05:21 AM

Originally Posted by OC Richard

As I recall Peter has posted a photo of a group of those plaids.

I seem to remember that some are quite old, and original Wilson's cloth.

Richard,

Correct, the plaids are a mix of originsl Wilsons' ones c.1830-40, and more recent ones from House of Edgar. All the kilts are modern, knife-pleated ones whereas the kilts that matched the earlier plaids were box-pleated.

**Father Bill** · 23rd February 23, 05:30 AM

Originally Posted by figheadair

Richard,

Correct, the plaids are a mix of originsl Wilsons' ones c.1830-40, and more recent ones from House of Edgar. All the kilts are modern, knife-pleated ones whereas the kilts that matched the earlier plaids were box-pleated.

And if I understand correctly, nobody cares which is which.

**figheadair** · 23rd February 23, 09:11 AM

Originally Posted by Father Bill

And if I understand correctly, nobody cares which is which.

Correct. Although, I did rather wince when the castle used to tack some of the Wilsons' plaids to the benches for people to sit on during piping recitals. I don;t know if they still do so.

**jhockin** · 23rd February 23, 02:44 PM

Originally Posted by figheadair

Correct. Although, I did rather wince when the castle used to tack some of the Wilsons' plaids to the benches for people to sit on during piping recitals. I don;t know if they still do so.

Perhaps a polite note, to the current Chief, or the resident manager, explaining the historical value of them might go a ways to preserving them a little longer? ( perhaps with a “PS”, on archival care best practices for fabrics?). It would be a shame to lose them through lack of knowledge of how to best care for them. 😞