Kilts, Ireland and Wales

[TechBear]

The thread about wearing kilts on St. Patrick's Day reminded me of some "kilt lore" I had learned a while back. It was too late to post there, so here I am. I hope that if my information is incorrect, you will be gentle in educating me of my flaws.

My understanding is that, in the mid 1800's, there was a renewed pride in Scotland's history and national identity. Traditional Scotish symbols and regalia which had long been suppressed under English rule -- the thistle, the pipes and the kilt, among others -- were brought out into the open and worn and played proudly. This was accompanied by a growing call for Scottish home rule, if not independence from the United Kingdom. While the government grumbled, it (for the most part) allowed the movement to exsist insofar as it did not fall into actual treason.

Towards the end of the 19th century, similar nationalist sentiments were being expressed in both Wales and Ireland. Leaders in these movements advocated the adoption of the kilt for various reasons, including a common Celtic heritage with the Scots. It was at this time, as part of these nationalist movements, that the Irish kilt and Welsh cilt first made their appearance, as well as the introduction of Irish tartans. The reintroduction of the Great Pipes into Ireland also occured at this time (the traditional Irish or Uilleann pipes are smaller and are operated by a bellows that sits under the right arm rather than by blowing into a bladder.) A century latter, these movements have left an imprint on the nationalist culture in their home countries, but are most prominently found in immigrant communities such as the United States where they serve to solidify a sense of identity.

In short, after a century of nationalism and national pride, I would say the kilt and pipes are as Irish as they are Scottish, and both are perfectly acceptable with regards to St. Patrick's Day.

[macwilkin]

The thread about wearing kilts on St. Patrick's Day reminded me of some "kilt lore" I had learned a while back. It was too late to post there, so here I am. I hope that if my information is incorrect, you will be gentle in educating me of my flaws.

My understanding is that, in the mid 1800's, there was a renewed pride in Scotland's history and national identity. Traditional Scotish symbols and regalia which had long been suppressed under English rule -- the thistle, the pipes and the kilt, among others -- were brought out into the open and worn and played proudly. This was accompanied by a growing call for Scottish home rule, if not independence from the United Kingdom. While the government grumbled, it (for the most part) allowed the movement to exsist insofar as it did not fall into actual treason.

Towards the end of the 19th century, similar nationalist sentiments were being expressed in both Wales and Ireland. Leaders in these movements advocated the adoption of the kilt for various reasons, including a common Celtic heritage with the Scots. It was at this time, as part of these nationalist movements, that the Irish kilt and Welsh cilt first made their appearance, as well as the introduction of Irish tartans. The reintroduction of the Great Pipes into Ireland also occured at this time (the traditional Irish or Uilleann pipes are smaller and are operated by a bellows that sits under the right arm rather than by blowing into a bladder.) A century latter, these movements have left an imprint on the nationalist culture in their home countries, but are most prominently found in immigrant communities such as the United States where they serve to solidify a sense of identity.

In short, after a century of nationalism and national pride, I would say the kilt and pipes are as Irish as they are Scottish, and both are perfectly acceptable with regards to St. Patrick's Day.

You'll find a number of posts around here that echo these sentiments, as well as a couple of posts on Matt Newsome's blog. I would add that the "revival" in Highland dress began around 1822 with the state visit of George IV to Scotland, although it can be argued that the Highland Regiments of the British Army are the ones to thank for preserving Highland dress.

T.

[McClef]

Documentary evidence for an ancient tradition for the Welsh cilt is somewhat sparse as Matt Newsome has pointed out.

It's difficult to find evidence of it before the 1970s when the most famous Welsh tartan was designed - the Brithwe Dewi Sant. Before this there may well have been the odd kilt wearer around but it would have been the Scottish tradition upon which they drew.

I have not come across any historical evidence of Nationalist movements until the 1920s and the first Plaid Cymru MP wasn't even elected until 1966 for Carmarthen. There were linguistic movements prior to this and a movement to disestablish the Anglican Church in Wales and there was the Chartist movement but none of these were specifically Nationalist.

Nor does the adoption of Welsh tartans and kilts belong to one political persuasion although it helps to reinforce a feeling of Celtic feeling though they are still less known than the Red Dragon.

[gilmore]

From what I have read, the revival of kilts wearing and highland dress had little to do with 19th century (and it happened in the early not late part of the century) Scottish nationalism, than with the rise of a newly affluent Scots middle class which was the product of the industrial revolution. These urbanized folk mythologized their impoverished rural antecedents with all sorts of things never seen before, such as clan tartans.

[BoldHighlander]

I would add that the "revival" in Highland dress began around 1822 with the state visit of George IV to Scotland, although it can be argued that the Highland Regiments of the British Army are the ones to thank for preserving Highland dress.

T.

I would agree Todd that from the histories I've read it was the regiments that preserved the kilt, and George IV's visit was the "spark" that lit the fire for the revival of Highland fashion & the "mythologization" that came with it as Gilmore put it.

[McClef]

George IV of course was also the first "don't" with those pink tights!

His niece Victoria also had a major part in the revival when she and Albert bought Balmoral.

Now if only we could get Prince Charles to sport a cilt on a visit to Wales!

[Phil]

The wearing of kilts in Wales and Ireland is very much a rarity and until very recent times was, in my experience, non-existent to the point of being unthinkable apart from the occasional pipe band. My first experience of Welsh cilt-wearing was seeing a visiting rugby fan in Edinburgh wearing one about 2 years ago, before that, never. Even today you will be able to travel from one end of Ireland to the other and never see a kilt (unless Cessna or another of our members happened to be there at the time) as it is simply not any part of Irish culture or tradition, now or at any time in the past. My first experience of seeing a kilt there (apart from a pipe band) was at a wedding in Northern Ireland last year and it is obviously becoming the outfit of choice for weddings there as well.
In Scotland kilts were not worn as daily attire and still are not to this day, even (or I might say especially) in the Highlands apart from a few well-off landowners and the Royal Family on their annual pilgrimage to “Brigadoonshire”. “Kiltie kiltie cauld bum” and “Donald where’s yer troosers?” were common jibes about kilt-wearers who were regarded as “teuchters” (pronounced teeoochters - simple country people from the Highlands and Islands). They are expensive garments, mostly an unnecessary expense for the less well to do with moths to feed, and are reserved for those special occasions when you wish to look your best. This is probably the reason tourists are so disappointed coming here to find that the streets are not thronged by kilt-wearers – quite the opposite is true.
Nationalism in Scotland is not a recent phenomenon and can be traced back to the union of parliaments in 1707 when, as Robert Burns so eloquently put it, Scotland was “bought and sold for English gold”. Despite rioting at the time, the common people had no vote or say in the process and it was railroaded through by those of the nobility who were to benefit financially from it which probably accounts for the subsequent opposition and growth of the nationalist movement during the second half of the 20th century. Kilt-wearing is a relative rarity amongst nationalists, however, as they are more focussed on a more modern, forward-looking, society and its revival in Scotland owes more to the sporting rivalry with England and an “in your face” way of demonstrating a national identity. This has had the unexpected outcome of its adoption by English people who now, seemingly, make up the greatest proportion of kilt-hirers no doubt for weddings and the such like. And why not? It is such an impressive outfit and they do say that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery!
In Ireland nationalism has had a long and troubled history and this is not the forum to discuss that subject apart from saying that kilt-wearing is not, and never has been, a part of that movement. In fact kilt-wearing occupying British soldiers may well have provided an example to be avoided.
Wales I cannot speak for but McClef tells us that its nationalist movement started in the 1920’s which is probably contemporary with that in Scotland. It does not espouse cilt-wearing as an expression of a separate identity, however, and never has. I am sure I will be corrected if I am wrong but, having spent some part of my life in that country, I would think that many Welsh folk would not regard cilt-wearing to be remotely appropriate for their countrymen apart from the fact that it is now very fashionable for weddings. In my younger days in Wales someone in a kilt would have been regarded much like a visitor from Mars and any native wearing one as quaintly different, verging on eccentric!
This is not a judgement on anyone, just a simple statement of fact and, while I really don’t want to dispel any romantic notions about kilt-wearing, it is as well to keep he whole thing in perspective.

[Jock Scot]

I think what you have said,Phil, is pretty much correct.One thought occurs to me though,I am no expert on Irish regiments North or South, but when did they start wearing the kilt?

[macwilkin]

I think what you have said,Phil, is pretty much correct.One thought occurs to me though,I am no expert on Irish regiments North or South, but when did they start wearing the kilt?

In general, only the pipes and drums in Irish regiments wear kilts, and from what little research I've done, this custom started right around the time of the First World War -- R.G. Harris' The Irish Regiments 1683-1999 briefly discusses this, as well as Murphy's Irish Regiments in the World Wars -- the only Irish Regiment that was entirely kilted was, ironically, a Commonwealth one -- the Canadian Irish Regiment.

I'm sure Piobear will chime on in on this as well.

T.

[McClef]

I think your perspective is a pretty accurate one Phil.

But it's not just for weddings, although this maybe the most common sight - the Welsh soap opera Pobl Y Cwm (People of the Valley) showed a cilted guy getting married a few months ago even.

Getting more popular for Rugby and will no doubt increase if Wales wins the Six Nations!

But neither are they an everyday garment with those who possess them (just like in Scotland) but they will come out on special occasions such as St David's Day and there were more of them in evidence this year than last year. I haven't seen a picture of a single Plaid Cymru politician in one yet and there weren't many politicians of any persuasion in evidence in any case. I did see Adam Price, a Plaid MP, who was casually dressed in jeans and who greeted me with a "S'mae" (hello) as I passed him wearing my full regalia!

When you look at Welsh souvenirs you will see plenty of illustrations of ladies wearing shawls and stove pipe hats and the historicity of these is much better documented. Yet you could drive through Wales and never see one except on special occasions.

"They are expensive garments, mostly an unnecessary expense for the less well to do with moths to feed" - think you meant "mouths" and we certainly don't want to feed the moths with our kilts!