One question I have- did Victorian Highlanders working the field in their one and only kilt do it in formalwear? If not... then why is casual wear not acceptable as "traditional"? I can't see Angus MacFarmer wearing his Arylle when he was slaughtering his sheep- or am I mistaken that the Highlanders were so poor that they couldn't afford Victorian fineries to use as day to day wear? I've been reading this thread trying to see where the day to day wear of the traditional Highlander comes in, but it hasn't been mentioned. One thing we sometimes forget- and this is also from the perspective of someone involved in historical reenactment- is that the paintings and books and guidlines we go by for these things are all of people of higher society. Mr MacFarmer wouldn't have had his portrait painted, but that doesn't mean his more casual style didn't exist or is a less valid srtyle.

On the other hand, I do insist on dressing as the circumstances require- I will dress as others define tradition for things like weddings and Burns Suppers and such, so I do appreciate this forum and the information presented here- it will be very useful for those higher social occasions.