John D. Burgess

[Zardoz]

Yes, red shoe laces were usually worn with evening dress, sometimes with gold tassels at the ends!

Yes, a quite correct alternative to the buckle and strap shoes.

In spite of extensive research on the subject of formal Highlandwear, I learn something new today?

I have never noticed these details on anyone before. Love to see some precedence.

[JSFMACLJR]

In spite of extensive research on the subject of formal Highlandwear, I learn something new today?

I have never noticed these details on anyone before. Love to see some precedence.

Sometimes these sorts of little details are hard to find written in a book. Still, though, MacKinnon of Dunakin wrote, in Tartans and Highland Dress, "For evening wear there are two main styles (of shoes). The first is the ghillie style, in black patent leather, with thin soles, sometimes worn with an ornamental buckle, and usually with red hose."

I have seen several contemporary paintings of men with red and sometimes gold laces. The one that comes immediately to mind is that of Malcolm of Poltalloch. Perhaps Mael Coluim took a picture of the painting on his recent visit to Duntrune Castle, but here it is in black and white ( you can tell that the laces are not black!):