A guide to the Clans and Tartans of Scotland: From Scottish Clan Information to Clan Merchandise, Handmade Kilts, Highland Outfits ... everything a true Scot should need and know.

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Kilts FAQ

What types of kilt are there?
how do I wear a kilt?
How much material is in a kilt?
What are the different weights?
What is the difference between Modern, Ancient, Hunting etc
I'm not Scottish! Can I wear a kilt?

What types of kilt are there? back to top
Essentialy there are two types of kilt; the Feileadh Mor (also known as Geat Kilt or Breacan Feile) and the Feileadh Beg which is the more common type of kilt. The Feileadh Mor (pronouncied 'phili more'),is really just one length of double width tartan, usually 6-7 yds in length which is gathered into pleats and belted round the waist. The Feileadh Beg is a hand or machine sewn garment which is worn just above the hip and fastened by buckles. If you are looking for a kilt - chances are its this one you want.

How do I wear a kilt? back to top
The kilt (and from here on in where talking about the Feileadh Beg) should be fastened around the waist and worn from the stomach (approx 2 inches above the hip), The apron part of the kilt should be worn to the front and 'centred' the pleats go to the back. The kilt should come down to just above the centre of the kneecap.

How much material is in a kilt? back to top
Generally a Kilt is 8 Yds in a kilt - however if the kilt is for a larger person this can be 9 or more. Kilts can also be made with less material, the pleats being shallower. Therfore this can vary from 7 down to as little as 4yds.

What are the different weights? back to top
Kilting Tartan comes in three weights; lightweight, medium weight and heavyweight. Lightweight is 10oz per linear yd, Medium is 13oz and heavyweight is 16oz. In general medium weight is a good all round weight.

What is the difference between Modern, Ancient, Hunting etc back to top
Ancient: This term has nothing to do with the age of the tartan, it is simply a term used to denote that the thread colours used replicate the colours that would have been produced using vegetable dyes. Therfore ancient tartans have a more faded look.

Modern: when new synthetic 'aniline' dyes were developed the vividness of colour that could be achieved was improved dramatically. Modern tartans are usually a much stronger colour.

Muted & Reproduction: A more faded version of ancient colours.

Dress: In a dress tartan the 'ground' colour (dominant base colour of the design) is white

Hunting: A version of the tartan where the colours are darker - with predominant greens & dark blues, designed to be less conspicuous. There is a school of though that this is a Victorian excuse for the fact that early synthetic dyes were too garish!


Im Not Scottish! Can I wear a kilt? back to top
Of course you can! Even if you dont have a Scottish clan or family name there are many Universal tartans that you can wear. For example: Black Watch, Caledonian, and Jacobite, Scottish National, Scottish National dress, National, Brave Heart Warrior (both dress and hunting), Flower of Scotland and Pride of Scotland.

We'll have more FAQs soon