Weelington Boots and Highland Wear

[Jock Scot]

They sure beat Ghillie Brogues in a pig pen.

Quite so.

[OC Richard]

Since spats came up I'll mention that they fell out of fashion in ordinary civilian Highland Dress around World War One.

In the Pipe Band world they were last worn in top-level competition around 1980, when the civilian version of military Full Dress they were a part of ceased to be worn at contests by the style-leading Grade One bands.

For rain and the ensuing muck the Pipe Band world doesn't have an answer as far as footwear is concerned. For the rest of the body they have the "rain cape", a sort of Inverness cape (sleeveless) made from lightweight waterproof nylon.

The long cape portion allows us to keep our pipes dry when not playing. When playing, not so much.

Here our Western Wear has a similar garment. (Sadly we pipers don't have a practical hat and the rain comes in at the collar.)

[Father Bill]

Style & authenticity aside, comfort and practicality win for me. I prefer an Inverness cape and a broad-brimmed hat. I have no desire to be wet or blinded by rain on my glasses. To the purists: too bad.

[Jock Scot]

Style & authenticity aside, comfort and practicality win for me. I prefer an Inverness cape and a broad-brimmed hat. I have no desire to be wet or blinded by rain on my glasses. To the purists: too bad.

Quite right, Bill! I think that somewhere on this website I am quoted as saying something like...."there are times when sartorial elegance takes second place to common sense." and that holds true, wherever we are in the world, including Scotland.

[DCampbell16B]

Right here, see below.

[Canadian Vet]

Quite right, Bill! I think that somewhere on this website I am quoted as saying something like...."there are times when sartorial elegance takes second place to common sense." and that holds true, wherever we are in the world, including Scotland.

"Any fool can be uncomfortable." ... an old friend, WWII Lieutenant Colonel Gunner Clan Donald

[Jock Scot]

"Any fool can be uncomfortable." ... an old friend, WWII Lieutenant Colonel Gunner Clan Donald

I spent most of my early life hearing that!-------------------- and have spent the rest of my life passing on those, oh so true, words of wisdom to any one who cares to listen!

[Allan Thomson]

Style & authenticity aside, comfort and practicality win for me. I prefer an Inverness cape and a broad-brimmed hat. I have no desire to be wet or blinded by rain on my glasses. To the purists: too bad.

Plenty of examples of Highland regiments wearing wide brimmed hats with kilts. For example the Liverpool Scottish at Peel station are mainly wearing wide brimmed hats.

[Father Bill]

Plenty of examples of Highland regiments wearing wide brimmed hats with kilts. For example the Liverpool Scottish at Peel station are mainly wearing wide brimmed hats.

Hm! Do you have pix? I couldn't find any with quick scan.

[Hirsty]

OH! Those black rubber farmers' wellingtons and those later more fashionable green Hunter wellies were a mixed blessing. Good for keeping muck and mud at bay, but oooooh so cold in the winter! Even with several layers of wool socks the cold would swiftly find its way in. Those leather lined rubber boots are a wonderful improvement and makes their substantial cost well worth while.

My gran used to work at the Hunter's factory in Dumfries. Most of the farmers still wear them, the other half wear black Dunlops.