Facts About Kilts
From the Scottish highlands to the streets of New York, kilts can be a mark of family or a fashion accessory. Here are a few things you may or may not know about Scotland's trademark attire.
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History
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Anecdotal evidence hints at the tradition of kilts prior to the 16th century. However, Celtic Scholar Matthew Newsome reports that the first reference to what most closely resembles the modern kilt came in 1578 from Bishop Lesley, writing in Rome of his encounters with the Highland Scots.
Space Kilt
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Alan Bean, a member of the Apollo 12 crew wore a kilt on the moon in November 1969.
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Accessories
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Socks with the kilt should be worn up to two or three fingers below the knee cap. Flashes should be worn on the outside of the leg, with the sock turned down, covering half the double loop of the flash.
Material Size
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Each worsted wool kilt is made of about eight yards of material on average and usually weighs roughly 4.5 to 5 pounds.
English Influence
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According to Colin Calloway, author of "White People, Indians, and Highlanders," an English Quaker named Thomas Rawlinson, who ran an iron furnace at Inverness, designed the short-kilt. He believed it would add to the comfort and safety of his workers.
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References
- Photo Credit Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of Randy
