Hew Morrison Collection > Piobaireachd

174 Piobaireachd : its Origin and Construction
in Scotland, and to-day when His Majesty the King comes to his Highland home,
the kilt is his favourite dress. The kilt is both hygienic and comfortable, and owing
to its lightness, by wearing it as an everyday dress in the olden times, the Higlilander
could walk long distances o'er moorland and fen ; through glens and corries, and ascend
the loftiest mountains and rugged crags with the utmost ease. Even the castle,
with its lofty battlements, is incomplete without the mystic minstrel dressed in his
native attire, discoursing war-like laj's from his Ceol Mor.
There are many parts about the full Highland Dress, and the following is a
complete list, as well as a few hints which may be of interest to those who wish to
adopt it : —
I. The Kilt is the most important item of the Highland Dress, and it requires
from eight to ten yards of tartan to make it so that it will lie properly. Many
tailors cannot make a Kilt. There are only a few who can make it to the best
advantage, and, as a rule, they make a speciality of it. The pattern of the tartan
should be shown in the back, or pleated part of the Kilt, to appear as if the tartan
were plain without any pleats at all. In earlier years the Kilt and Plaid were in one,
but it is much more convenient to have them separated. In fact, the long Plaid
is very old, and it could not be attached to the Kilt in any way. We often hear
people talking about the best method of putting on the Kilt. To kneel down, and it
should be clear of the floor. This is to guide the wearer as to the right length or
position of the Kilt. The Highlanders of old required no such performance or
guidance in putting on their native garb. They could dress in the Kilt with the
utmost ease, and so can any Highlander of to-day. If one is accustomed to wear
the Kilt, he can put it on right away, and when it is tightened properly round the
waist, it gets into position of its own accord. The Kilt should come well in at the