The Highlanders of Scotland

[CMcG]

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One question I have for everyone though: is it just me or would'nt this thread, given the subject, be better served in the Historical Highland Attire section rather than Traditional Highland Dress section?

I agree that this discussion is more germane to the Historical Highland Attire section rather than Traditional Highland Dress section. These watercolours are very interesting and handsome to look at but I take them with a grain of salt as far as how much I can glean about wearing the kilt today. This is particularly true of the more elaborate dress in some of them.

It's not my place to say whether these gentlemen were just wearing the very best of their best, if there was intentional romanticization by the artist, or if what we see was a specific Royal request by the commissioning monarch. I'm guessing some combination of the three in varying amounts, based on the meaning of the verb to pose. These Highlanders were certainly posing for the portraits and for the Queen!


pose   [pohz] verb,posed, pos·ing, noun
–verb (used without object)
1.
to assume a particular attitude or stance, esp. with the hope of impressing others: He likes to pose as an authority on literature.
2.
to present oneself insincerely: He seems to be posing in all his behavior.
3.
to assume or hold a physical attitude, as for an artistic purpose: to pose for a painter.