Hi Cecil!
Just a quick comment on the question “what do Scotsman wear under their kilts?” I can’t say this is absolute fact, but I heard it straight from a Scotsman during a parade in York, England. In the Royal Scottish army (I think that’s what they call it) the men ARE allowed to wear skivvies under their kilts, as long as they are government-issue. The option to go swingin’ in the breeze is allowed due to the fact that the army issued briefs are made of wool. I think if I had the choice, I’d go with the “all-natural air conditioning” myself. Do you blame them?
Sarah-Bowling Green State Univ, Ohio.
Given that it is cold, wet, and windy in Scotland about 90% of the time… you might rethink your choice. Due to the contraction factor, there be no breeze swingin’ (if you know what I mean)
Cecil’s column is What do Scotsmen wear under their kilts? (24-Mar-1995)
This page, “The Complete Equipment of a Highland Chief (of the time of the '45)”, lists hose and stockings. How high up did the stockings/hose go? I don’t suppose they were shaped like modern-day panty-hose.
The hose are high enough to hold your sgian dubh.
If you wear something under it, it is a skirt.
Dr. Fidelius, Charlatan
Associate Curator Anomalous Paleontology, Miskatonic University
“You cannot reason a man out of a position he did not reach through reason.”
Just below the knee.
I know a number of young ladies who would be surprised by your insinuation that they’re actually wearing kilts…
…but when you get blue, and you’ve lost all your dreams, there’s nothing like a campfire and a can of beans!
Da Ace, can you introduce me?
And sgian dubh would be… the family jewels?
Actually it’s Skean Dubh, (pronounced Skeen Doo) which is Gaelic. It’s an ornamental, bone handled knife that tucks into the top of the clansman’s sock.
Literal translation: Black Knife
Joey,
I’m afraid I disagree with your correction of the Good Doctor. In Scotland and Her Tartans, by Alexander Fulton (Gallery Books, 1991), p. 214, it is spelt *sgian dubh[i/]. And, the little blurb that came with my knife (mfd. by Art Pewter Silver Ltd., East kilbride, Scotland) also spells it sgian dubh.
I agree with your pronounciation, though.
and the stars o’erhead were dancing heel to toe
I’m having a bad day with codes today.
and the stars o’erhead were dancing heel to toe
I didn’t mean to correct DrFidelius, though I realize it came out that way. That’s what I get for restructuring sentences on the fly… Both skean and sgian are acceptable. I’ve seen both used in the shops in Edinburgh and they are both listed in my Gaelic Dictionary…
Sorry DrFidelius.
It’s worth noting that–at least if one wears a medieval “great kilt”–one has so much wool wrapped around the waist, one is pretty warm from mid-thigh up. I’m not sure sbout modern kilts. Of course, the Lowlanders (in their pantaloons) called Highlanders “redshanks”–the idea being that the lower legs were red with cold.
(I learned this from when my uncle dressed in Highland garb when in the Society for Creative Anachronism. I think he did mention drafts, though.)
I’m a member of the Monarchist political party.
Well, I’m a long time SCA member, and this topic has been hashed out many times. In the “olden days”, men wore a loonngg linen shirt with the kilt. The “tails” were tucked up in such a way to make a sort of a breech-clout. So, yes- no underwear, but no- they did not have their dingle-dangles a floppin in the breeze. It can be very uncomfortable to wear ones kilt sans everything, as a few young gentlemen have found to their dismay…
Safety tip: When attending a wedding in scottish attire (as the groom’s party and a number of other gentlemen were), do not become involved in energetic dancing after being dared to “go commando” by ones friends. 
Specifcally, do not “Macarena”. (Although this could be considered good advice whatever ones dress).
Heading back towards the original topic – I have read that the only times that it is acceptable to wear something beneath the kilt is when marching, dancing, or engaged in highland games, and have used this as an answer when asked what I might (or might not) be wearing beneath my kilt.
For one of the definitive works on kilt wearing and scottish attire, see if you can find a copy of “So you’re going to wear the kilt”, by J. Charles Thompson. The book is sadly out of print, but if you happen to find a copy it is well worth reading.
Cheers,
Martin
Ah! So the correct answer to “What do ye wear beneath yuir kilt, handsome?” is “A shirt; the wool would scratch me up if I didn’t!” This may be clearer with a great kilt, where both the kilt and shirt are worn from shoulders to thighs, but probably still holds with the modern ones.
No, that’s wrong–try this:
Party per bend sinister wavy bendy sinister wavy vert & or, & sable, in fess point a demi-pellet en soleil inverted & bendwise sinister issuant from the party, in sinister base a roundel bendy sinister wavy vert & or.
fool: right! Ps, are you in a play?
foolsguinea writes:
It depends on who’s doing the asking. If it’s a pretty girl the pat answer is, “Your lipstick, if I’m lucky!”
fools:
Damn your eyes, man. How am I supposed to draw this blazon?
a roundel bendy sinister wavy vert & or???
Whose arms is this?
LSD and heraldry are a horrible combination, don’t you think?
~stv
¡Voltroñ!