Why, or how, did the kilt come about?

[Nick the DSM]

Some teenage Scotman in the day started a new fad.

I agree with this!

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

I am of the opinion that the great kilt was brought about by three separate factors. The first being the more wide spread use of firearms in the Highlands; the second being the heavy export of both flax and finished linen from Scotland; the third being a general increase in poverty throughout the Highlands, at this time

Prior to the appearance of the great kilt, the typical dress of the Highlander would have been coarse linen trousers reaching to somewhere between the knee and ankle; leather shoes similar to the moccasins of the American Indians, and a linen shirt reaching to mid-thigh, or perhaps as far as the knee. Over this, in time of war, would have been worn the Leine Croich-- a knee length jacket, padded and pleated as a sort of "soft armour". The Highland soldier would have also worn a chain mail coif over his head and shoulders, and a padded leather "arming cap" under a pointed conical iron helmet. A plaid would also have been worn (or carried) to serve as a cloak or blanket as the case may be. Add to this a short spear or pike, a sword, as well as a shield, and your typical Highland warrior was as well protected as could be expected. Until the appearance of firearms. The Liene Croich was probably the first item to fall by the wayside as a result of this technological advance in waging war.

As the Highlands (and, indeed, all of Scotland) continued to slowly sink into a vast and inescapable pit of economic depression, the export of linen dried up local supplies, with the result that by 1686 a pair of ordinary linen breeches were worth 4 pounds-- more money than many Highlanders would see in a year. Bereft of liene croich, and unable to afford linen trousers, the Highlander simply wrapped his plaid around his waist and made do as best he could.

It is my opinion that it was the increase in the use of "gonnes" coinciding with the lack of the availability of inexpensive linen, that caused the almost "overnight" appearance of the kilt. In other parts of Europe-- and this includes Ireland-- where people lived in mountainous regions, tended flocks, were out in all weathers, the kilt did not evolve, and trousers remained the mainstay of masculine attire.

[Jack Daw]

I agree with this!

I can see the father sitting in the livingroom in his leine and brat when his teenage son comes bounding down the stairs wearing a tartan great kilt, "Hold on there, son!! You're not going outside of the blackhouse in THAT!!"

[NewEnglander]

MoR-
Can you clarify your connection between the increasing prevalence of guns and the decreasing use of the liene croich? Are you saying that because it was no longer an effective form of "soft armor" against firearms that it was no longer used?

[vipermcgee]

http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/b...ighlight=Birth

I do believe this was best answered here.

Robert

[SteveB]

The teen wants to go oot late and hang around with his friends, and is told his Leines are all in ta wash. He skulkes into his room and flops onto his bed. the blanket all scrunched down as that is the usual unkempt manner of his bed. He then flips one end over himself and then the other. Light dawns and he grabs his belt from the pile of stuff laying on the floor and wraps it around the whole blanket. He is covered, and takes off to hang with his friends covered against the late fall elements.

Another teen fad begins....The great kilt is born.

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

MoR-
Can you clarify your connection between the increasing prevalence of guns and the decreasing use of the liene croich? Are you saying that because it was no longer an effective form of "soft armor" against firearms that it was no longer used?

This is a bit of an over simplification but, broadly speaking, yes. Firearms altered basic battle tactics throughout Europe, and Scotland wasn't immune to these changes. That said, the adjustment in tactics along with the need to dispense with soft armour didn't happen overnight. Like anything else it was a gradual process that saw the 10th century liene croich virtually disappearing by the end of the 16th century.

[Dirka Skene]

I thought it was military wear? I know the reason for the length: When Scots kneeled to fire their guns, the kilt had to be just short enough so as not to be kneeled on.

[Kid Cossack]

MacMillan of Rathdown:

Thanks---so far yours is far and away the most reasoned response, although the "jealous husband" line probably beats it for romance.

I had also wondered if the little ice age had played any role, but I'm no climatologist.

[BEEDEE]

Try this article, from our own MAC Newsome: http://albanach.org/kilt.html

Brian