Designed & produced by Eric Maclewis
© ericdentinger.com
2008-2024
Kilt Pin
On the right side of the kilt (at the front of it), the kilt pin holds in place the front flap of our philibeg (see the kilt page).
Like other outfit accessories it can represent the clan motto (MacLeod Of Lewis here).
Shirt and jacket in a Jacobite style
The shirt is pretty wide with puffed sleeves, looking like medieval ones; as for the waistcoat, it is inspired by the Jacobite clothing.
The jacket got many buttons : nethertheless it can't be closed.
Military Doublet
We're quite far from the traditional Scottish outfit with this jacket : it's a military garment that is part of the modern outfit.
It reminds us that the Scots - as Breton people for France - took a large place in the wars of Great Britain.
In return, British regiments have promoted the Scottish culture - like bagpipe playing - in many parts of the world.
Cap Badge and Motto
Finally, the cap badge (placed on the hats) and other pieces of the outfit like the sgian dubh and the kilt pin can receive the clan motto : regarding the MacLeod Of Lewis clan, it's a bright sun encircled by the words “I Birn Quhil I Se”.
There are several ways to understand this motto : one of them is to translate it by “I burn while I shall".
Brogues
The shoes (bròg -Gael.) : coming from Ireland and Scotland, those shoes are made of untanned hide; as they were used outdoors, there were often some holes in the hide that allowed to remove water outside of the shoe. One could also walk quite fearless through the muddy roads.
They have been embed with the traditional outfit for being worn during festive or formal events.
Several styles do exist : Oxford, Derby, Monk (without laces) and Ghillie. This last style is very closed to the historical version with its big holes and laces tied on the socks (to keep them out of mud or moisture).
Ghillie comes from the Scottish Gaelic word gille, that means young lad : anyway, these brogues are also worn by young ladies (see the traditional Scottish or Irish dances).
Lacing is typical and coded, with several laps on the leg : the final knot can be made on the front or on the side of it; finally, the ends of the laces get some tassels.
During the Scots Wha Hae show I wear a kind of "mix" of Oxford and Ghillie with more robust shoes for long walking gigs… Anyway my shoes are quite traditional with its laces, holes and tassels.
Flashes (Garter flashes)
Above the brogues, on the socks, one can see a double ribbon made of tartan attached to a rubber band : its purpose is to retain the hoses while reminding of the clan affiliation.
Here again, "two schools" : either the flashes are placed at the front of the leg or on the side of it.
Scottish Outfit - Miscellaneous
KILT PIN
JACOBITE OUTFIT
MILITARY DOUBLET
CAP BADGE