Adventures in Hunting Tartan

Kilts are a big part of Scotland's heritage. So I'm excited that we are going to have 17 people in kilts. In hunting for the best kilt hiring shop, I've had to do some research. I thought i'd share the best bits here.

What's the difference between a kilt and a skirt?

Your sporran (the man-bag thing attached at the front of a kilt). 

How much does a kilt cost?

A lot. Tourists can buy them for £300 upwards.. good ones cost a bit more. The entire outfit costs about £1000, and, in Scotland, it's something a young man might get for his 21st birthday. I once met a guy who, given a choice between a car and a kilt (plus outfit), chose the kilt.

Hiring a full outfit will be £64.

Are we going as True Scotsmen?

When wearing a kilt, it's considered more comfortable to go commando. Having said that, when going to a ceilidh, it's better etiquette to wear undercrackers to avoid falshing more than just a bit of leg. Also, when going onto the dance floor, the gentlemen will turn his sporan to one side to avoid getting whacked (this advice was given to me my granddad with a perfectly straight face).

Also, if you're hiring a kilt, do you really want to go commando?

What's included and what goes where?

The highland outfit has a lot of bits, so here's a breakdown:

• Kilt. Wrap around your waste
• Belt
• Sporran (the little man-bag attached to the front means you're not wearing a skirt). Since the pockets in your jacket will be quite small, this will be where you store your phone, keys, money, etc. Don't be surprised when you feel silly at the bar fishing around in it for money, thinking it would be easier just to empty all out onto the counter.
• Socks (that go all the way up to the knee).
• Ghillie Brogues - shoes with those laces that work their way up your leg. It will be the longest time you'll ever spend trying to tie your own shoelaces.
• Sock flashes. Little bits of tartan that decorate the sides of your socks.
• Shirt and tie
• Jacket and wastecoat
• Sgian dhu. A wee knife to stick in your sock. (In case somebody points out you're wearing a skirt)

What tartans are available?

Every clan in Scotland has a tartan (at least one).. and really, you don't want to be wearing another clan's tartain. Having said this, there are lots of tartans which are not clan specific. So when we're hiring kilts, they'll normally be non-clan ones. The biggest clan tartans can be hired (Stewart, Gordon, Douglas, etc). There is an Oliphant clan, but you rarely ever see the tartan. I've got an Oliphant tartan kilt, which my granddad had made for himself especially. 

I'm still working on getting some Stewart tartan kilts for hire. 

Fun stuff I've come accross

• Commando flaps (see below)
• Baby Braveheart gift box (click image find find out more)