Historical Curiosity question

[sharpdressedscot]

Doesn't wool have a natural fire-proofness or something??

Maybe they had a longer apron, I don't really know.

[TheKiltedWonder]

Doesn't wool have a natural fire-proofness or something??

Maybe they had a longer apron, I don't really know.

Wool tends to smolder if the flame is held directly to it and it doesn't catch on fire like other cloths might.

I suppose we're making some assumptions though: that said blacksmith is a highlander and living at an appropriate time when there were kilts and that said blacksmith, even if he were a highlander, wore kilts instead of pants. I don't know about these things, so I defer to those who are better informed

[Nighthawk]

The blacksmith in my living history group wears trews and a leather apron. Check out this video. http://www.kidk.com/news/27063919.html About 1/4 of the way though, there is a fairly long spot on us. You can see Cliff doing his blacksmithing thing, among the other key members of the group (including a sword fight- we sometimes question weather Danny and Curt are reenacting, or actually trying to kill each other!) Just click the VIDEO link.

[The Wizard of BC]

I'm sorry but by the best Historical evidence we have some one skilled as a blacksmith would probably not have worn The Kilt.

The Kilt, as we know it today, was only developed in the late 1700's, about the time of the American Revolution. According to evidence only the nobility and ruling class wore it. And then only as court wear.

As soon as the Kilt was adopted as a part of a Military uniform It was found only there.

There is no evidence the average person could or would have worn it.

The older form of Kilt, what today we call the Great Kilt or Belted Plaid was also probably not worn by the average Scotsman. It was probably only worn by the poorest, most rural people of the far NW mountains. What today we would liken to hillbillies.

So what started as "Poor Man's Clothing" is later romanticized, changed, and adopted by the nobility because they thought anything "Older and simpler" was more "Noble and purer". Then later the Kilt was seen through these romanticized eyes as being useful as recruiting propaganda.

I don't expect everyone to believe me on this, because there is just so much myth and romance wrapped up around everything Scottish, but according to the best research we have, it is true.

[Carolina Kiltman]

I don't expect everyone to believe me on this, because there is just so much myth and romance wrapped up around everything Scottish, but according to the best research we have, it is true.

Actually I do. Working men throughout history usually wore what was appropriate for the job. The heavy leather blacksmith aprons I remember from my youth were at least knee length and wrapped well past the sides of the legs. (even though the smithy was somewhat globular in shape).

Slàinte,