Kilts in Scotland signify and symbolize multiple aspects of Scottish society. Specifically, men wore the kilts in celebration to denote their loyalty to a clan. It is this common tradition wearing such a “distinctive national apparatus,” that give Scottish man and Scottish culture an iconic presentation (Roper 15). In addition to the kilt, the bagpipe is also a part of this commonly seen and known symbolism. The tradition of wearing such apparatuses is more modern than most people assume. As a part of Highland culture, the tradition of wearing kilts was originally rooted in the fact that it represented a form of barbarism. In fact, most individuals belonging to historic Scotland found highlanders, “more of a nuisance than a threat” (Roper 15).
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Its creation was merely made out for functional use. It was not until the Great Rebellion of 1745, that the kilt transitioned as a “servile costume” (Roper 24) to a clothing statement of the middle to upper-middle classes. Additionally, due to the kilts ease of use and practicality, it became a popular garment amongst the Highland regimes. It is also by the Highland Regimes adoption of the garment that “the idea of differentiating tartan by clans” came into existence (Roper 25). The kilt’s popularization also came with criticism as many people questioned its value and historic value against normal pant trousers. Similar to the British Parliament’s purposed ban on the kilt, the Highland society had to fight the Kilt’s repeal. Since the kilt was already so integrated into Highland culture and society, they were successful in removing its repeal despite the fact that the garment is more modern in its invention. With this Highland society triumph and the existence of the kilt becoming more validated, the push for Highland culture continued to be adopted by individuals who believed in its false antiquity. Individuals such as Colonel David Stewart ad Sir Walter Scott sustained the ideology behind the history of the kilt by, “promot[ing] the general use of the ancient highlander dress in the Highlands [and Edinburgh]” (Roper 29). Subsequently, this highland tradition of wearing Kilts started gaining popularity across Scotland and also caught the attention of King George IV. The King’s visit promoted a public presentation of Highlander fashion and clan tartan representation. It is at this occasion that the myth of the of the Highland clan garment achieved “new momentum the tartan industry and inspired a new fantasy to serve that industry” (Roper
Its creation was merely made out for functional use. It was not until the Great Rebellion of 1745, that the kilt transitioned as a “servile costume” (Roper 24) to a clothing statement of the middle to upper-middle classes. Additionally, due to the kilts ease of use and practicality, it became a popular garment amongst the Highland regimes. It is also by the Highland Regimes adoption of the garment that “the idea of differentiating tartan by clans” came into existence (Roper 25). The kilt’s popularization also came with criticism as many people questioned its value and historic value against normal pant trousers. Similar to the British Parliament’s purposed ban on the kilt, the Highland society had to fight the Kilt’s repeal. Since the kilt was already so integrated into Highland culture and society, they were successful in removing its repeal despite the fact that the garment is more modern in its invention. With this Highland society triumph and the existence of the kilt becoming more validated, the push for Highland culture continued to be adopted by individuals who believed in its false antiquity. Individuals such as Colonel David Stewart ad Sir Walter Scott sustained the ideology behind the history of the kilt by, “promot[ing] the general use of the ancient highlander dress in the Highlands [and Edinburgh]” (Roper 29). Subsequently, this highland tradition of wearing Kilts started gaining popularity across Scotland and also caught the attention of King George IV. The King’s visit promoted a public presentation of Highlander fashion and clan tartan representation. It is at this occasion that the myth of the of the Highland clan garment achieved “new momentum the tartan industry and inspired a new fantasy to serve that industry” (Roper