Winter Clothing of the 17th Century Highlander (discussion, QnA and where's your trews?)
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- čas přidán 10. 07. 2024
- I got lots of questions from my "Winter Hike in 17th century Highlander clothing" video. So thought I would do a video looking at the winter clothing in more depth.
As always, I am still on my learning journey, so sometimes need to speculate and guess to fill in the gaps from my research.
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Links to past video
SHELTER: • SHELTER. Making a Debr...
PLAID: • The Belted Plaid (Grea...
KILT TENT: • Kilt Tent. Using the P...
#Highlander #outdoors #winter - Zábava
Something to think about with the wool Tom is that not many wools today are made the way that they were then, The wools of yesteryear would have had much more of the natural lanolin oils left in the fibers. Making them much more water resistant than most of todays Wools. Great video. I have been enjoying them all.
Good point yeah. People brought that up in my kilt tent video. I should mention it next time. Thanks again :)
ooh, excellent point!
Cowichan natives of Canada make special, heavy knit sweaters of wool. Sometimes that sort of wool yarn and some other varieties are knit, ¨in the grease¨, meaning there is lots of lanolin for repelling water, etc.
Here's a very good documentary video about life on a Tudor farm which also contains how wool fabric was made back then.
czcams.com/video/v46lzPosC1g/video.html
The video starts at the exact point. If you just want to see the parts about fabric making, the next ones are at 41:50 and 45:20.
Ruth and her fellows also have other series of living in different time periods, I find all of them very interesting and informative.
@@AeonSaint the historical farm series is unbelievably good
It takes a special kind of ass to thumbs down a video like this.
Great work man.
Och!!! You just called me an ass!!! Well so be it!!! Or should I be "triggered" and "words are violence" (and 'silence is violence' as well) - it's time to take to the hills - my safe place... but I need the right clothing...
@@hariseldon3786 ,weel, if you trigger a wheel lock pistol, aye it goes _tzing-phhBAM_ for the violence... 😉
@@w.reidripley1968 😁
You’ll love this, in Hawaii we call plaid as Palaka. We had many Scottish immigrate to our Kingdom so the design remained but the hot fabric did not. So everyone owns at least one Palaka Shirt, that are acceptable as formal wear to different Luau so that as well remained that you wear your best plaid to a party 🎉 😜
Haha! Amazing! Thanks for sharing!
My wife is Samoan and they have a version if a kilt the name escapes me something like lavalava basically a really nice decorated sheet of fabric you wrap around yourself like a towel.
I personally like linen as a base layer under my woolens. It’s not very insulating, but it pulls moisture away from the body and dries much more quickly than cotton. I’ve worn some wools right against my skin that were quite comfortable, but my understanding is that those would have been more expensive historically. It seems like a more affordable option for a lower class person would be to wear relatively inexpensive linen against the skin and then layers of wool - the linen wicks and protects the skin from being irritated by rougher wool, and the wool provides the other three W’s. Depending on who and where said hypothetical person was, they might also have to deal with sumptuary laws and the like.
These videos are fascinating! It's obvious you're doing your due diligence with the research, thank you for doing this!
Your videos just keep getting better and better all the time. I always look forward to watching.
Thanks very much :) I have been trying to put more effort into them this year :)
Another fine video; thanks! People were much more hardy than now and so it leads us to look for more Highland garments than there were. They were tough and in the weather almost continually! Great Kilt (fheileadh mhor) or trews. Long shirts, lower leg wraps and wool hose, (sometimes without the foot part) rough brogues, neck scarf and bonnet, etc. Not a few went barefoot, even in the winter, which we can hardly imagine. Hardy, hardy folk! As you know, one has to differentiate between the location within the Highlands, Highlander and Lowlander, Highlander and Islander; very different influences! Leather garments and some fur collars, etc., were worn. I have seen two Highland leather westkits, one of deerskin and one of sheepskin, finely made from the 17th Cent. There's a reason when countries and enterprises need tough men and women, they came to the Highlands!
Thankyou for sharing you knowledge.
Something I have wanted to do for a long time is to go hiking along a well traveled patch, like "kungsleden" in Sweden, of course dressed as a Viking, Highlander or maybe a trapper. Especially in august when there are many European tourists. Just to see the looks in peoples faces ;)
You should do it. Others have done similar things with other historical clothing.
During a re-enactment event me and a bunch of my mates turned up at a shopping centre dressed as Roman legionaries. You should have seen the looks on their faces. Lol.
Do it, people would love that. You should get a whole group together.
@@brentthekiwi5798 Wow. I tried on a real chain mail shirt at a re-enactment once. Incredibly heavy. Could barely stand up in it. I hope your gear was lighter. Sounds like great fun though.
@@FurnitureFan , it is. Now try riveted mail. Five eighths the weight, as a rule, because you use thinner wire, about 1mm/18 gauge.
You still get that "weighs like a backpack, clings like a sweater" feel. Just more reasonable.
These videos never get old.
Really love this series Tom. As an American of Highland decent, seeing how my ancestors wore certain clothing in the 1600's is really interesting. Great vids. Cheers! DonP
I’m very glad I found your channel!
Your videos are always very interesting and informative without claiming absolute expertise and this is very refreshing. Good work and thank you.
Tom, I think the one factor that you might need to take into account with regards to waterproofing and wool is grease from animal fats. The use of tallow to waterproof leather and wool was pretty common, much less the casual greasiness in the average crofters house from the constant use of smoky tallow tapers or candles, grease in the air from open cooking hearths and human skin oils, oils from contact with the fur of dogs and cattle and the like. In this video you look pretty neat and tidy and no doubt your clothes don't reek of years of unwashed greasiness but that would have been the reality. And clothes were constantly being recycled or passed along or re-made so someone might well be wearing their grandfather's much patched and mended old jacket or shirt long after the original owner was dead. And as for bare legs - I remember in Barbados the stories of Scottish prisoners of war (as we would call them) being shipped over to work as slaves in the cane fields after the Jacobite rebellion and they arrived bare legged. The black slaves mocked them for being almost half dead from severe sunburns on their bare legs and arms. And then applying fat to your skin is a great way to prevent insect bites and reduce sunburn, as North American Indians used to do, and I wouldn't be surprised if the Highlanders didn't do something similar as well, which as they didn't bathe, would have built up a protective layer over a person's life.
Ah interesting thank you. Good point about the grease and oil from everyday life. Not sure I'm ready to get myself deleiberatly that filthy though! Haha
@@FandabiDozi Tom, after I wrote my comment I was thinking about how even in the 70's here in Canada animal grease was still part of our lives. Mink oil for winter leather boots, lard or tallow based waterproofing products for boots and (this I remember clearly) for greasing the metal runners of a winter sleigh. My grandfather said in the Depression a big jar of bacon fat was always in the larder for whatever squeaked in the house or for chapped lips. But that could be your next video... Highland Personal Hygiene (or Why I Had to Live in the Glen by Myself for Six Months).
VERY informative!!!! You make an excellent teacher!!!! Thank you most graciously for all your hard research in finding answers to subscribers questions!!! LOVE your videos!!!! So happy I found your channel!!!!!
Very kind of you! Thank you :D
I used to have a suit of "speckled" tweed .... Handwoven Donegal Tweed - it was greenish with red yellow and blue speckles - bit like a fishing fly .... it was more loosely woven than industrial weave so was warm with the trapped air..... Hand woven might be worth trying if you can get a length for a plaid mór . My mother also knitted me a raw-woolen sweater - it becomes like felt after a while and wind proof .... except lanolin when wet with rain or sweat smells like sheep - some like it but others find it very agricultural ? ..... The Sami ( Lapps) use hay in their reindeer skin boots to keep warm in winter ..... .... I remember seeing some place that in WW I the most requested item by Scottish soldiers at the front was "tights " ..... Keep up the good work .....
Interesting and informative, and great to hear a Scots accent on Yt. Dunno about dipping my plaid in a burn, though - you're a braver man than me, Tom :-D All power to ye.
Brek en fail - breacan feile (this is how Geoffrey Taylor the kilt maker in Edinburgh pronounced it)
Another way? Ah my head will explode. Thanks for the info though I appreciate getting all the knowledge from people
@@FandabiDozi Love the videos and the enthusiasm, keep it up! :) I was wondering about breacan myself. Interesting word with an indo-european route I was taught at uni, despite wikipedia attributing it to old English. Brístí is Irish for trousers. Similarly, I'm just learning now (thanks Google) briogais is the Scots Gaelic. All related I think. Check out the etymology of breeches / britches on wikipedia if you're interested. www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=13&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwjok7iSsObfAhWcSxUIHcPWCy4QFjAMegQICxAB&url=https%3A%2F%2Fen.wikipedia.org%2Fwiki%2FBreeches&usg=AOvVaw1PbSLJTzMa7ktjXa-cFII9
I love watching, it reminds me of my youth, camping, minimal equipment, (poor) plus I was trying to emulate frontiersmen and Natives! Plus I learn from you, different ideas approaches! Thanks for doing the bids!
A good way to make shoes warmer is to fill them with straw. I've heard of it being stuffed into boots in the Baltic region in Medieval period (don't know sources though) and a guy called Petr Hlaváček recreated the boots of Otzi mummy and did some experimental hiking.
It provides a lot of air pockets and dries quickly. Probably not too comfortable though.
Cool! Thanks i will try that out :)
The sami people in north of scandinavia still do that today, they harvest it in the autumn and say its much better than woolen socks or whatnot.
It was also used in France (and all western Europe, I guess) in the medieval period. They used wooden shoes "sabots" filled with straw. In rural environment, they did it until the 1950's or something like that. :)
In Poland we have phrase about somebody " the straw protudes from shoes". Thats mean that he want to be gentleman or sth like that, but after all remains rustic.
Oh hell no id rather lose my feet then purposefully put hay in my shoes
mucklucs worn by the innuit are a kind of beefed up moccasin that are very light but also warm, since form often follows function I could imagine a highlander wearing something similar in winter, btw I was told over 40yrs ago that the distinction was a kilt was just the short phillabeg from waist to knee, and the full garment was a kilted plaid(pronounced plad)
seanthomasdowd it’s pronounced Played.
@@kiltymacbagpipe lol you say eether and I say eyether
seanthomasdowd having spent the last twenty years tromping over a good part of the globe while wearing a kilt and performing in pipe bands along side such other bands as the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards and the Scots Guards, I can say with some authority that there is one way to say the name of that garment. Plaid (plad) is the pattern on a bush jacket worn by lumberjacks, a plaid (played) is either a separate garment worn with a kilt in modern times, as in a pipers plaid, fly plaid or belted plaid or the historical garment as worn in these videos.
seanthomasdowd
In Norwegian, “pledd” (pronounced /plæd/) is a blanket of any kind.
Thank you very much for the history lesson. Being Scottish I understand the weather ect. See you next time
I'm glad this channel came up this morning.
Thanks again for a great video! I really like your content! History, survival, outdoor... top combination :)
Your series is really well done. I enjoy learning about bush craft techniques. Your way of sharing the historical Highlands version is engaging and educational.
i love that you made ayoutube channel about this.. i love the 15, 16, 17, 18 and 19 century it really is addictivly fascinating. i love 17 and 18 century books. its intriguing to think about how somthing as simple as a article of clothing, to a good ax / hatchet could be worth allot compared to today.
You look dapper with that jacket and hat.
Only the 2nd video of yours I've watched. Very well made & researched thank you for sharing
Loving the Authenticity mate. Great stuff!
Thank you so much for your work, Tom. Your adventures are so good for my soul
You're welcome :) Glad you like it! :)
Excellent example of experimental archeology. Something interesting in each of these videos. Well worth watching...
Fascinating . Thank you.
Oh this was a nice way to wake up😊🍵 Thank you~
I think those leather shoes are really interesting. They must be much healthier then the ones we wear now for the every day life (as worker shoes they won't be too good of course).
@Mac Kent
You made them yourself?! That's cool😀
I have only seen those in shops who sell middle age themed stuff; but those are not only extremely expensive but also seem more for costume purpose then for actual use...
and in arabic shops; because they wear a kind of leather socks traditionally.
But those won't work in winter.
Since I live in a city and did run around bare footed in summers when I was a teen (also in shops, trains etc I just didn't use shoes no matter where I went. Only toe socks sometimes where the toes where open), I experienced how quickly one can get hurt in a city, since people throw bottles and other dangerous or disgusting stuff at the ground, so it's suddenly very important to watch where you go...
Is it different with your kind of shoes? Or do you experience the same problems?
Thank you for your input btw🌸
I'm not sure why you think linen wouldn't be a good base layer. It's easier to keep clean than wool. It is the best wicking material made. Removing moisture from your skin when you sweat, which happens when you warm up on a hike with woolen outlayers. It's also a long staple fiber, making it both strong and durable.
Cotton kills in wet climates. Draws the heat right out of you leading to hypothermia.
@@johnstack4316 Linen is not cotton?
Very informative. Thanks for your series creation. Take care.
Great hobby and another example of why YT is so interesting. Greetings from the cold mid-atlantic of the U.S.A.
Great information! Thanks for sharing.
👍👍🍺🍺Excellent Tom thanks for the vid , keep them coming
Thank you once again for a well researched and produced interesting video. ATB. Nigel
You answered your own question about footwear without knowing it.
They made them from untanned hide with the hair intact, which offered increased warmth, but like your quote mentioned, made them smell terrible.
"Moreover, wherfor they call us in Scotland Reddshankes, and in your Graces dominion of England, roghe footide Scottis, Pleas it your Majestie to understande, that we of all people can tollerat, suffir, and away best with colde, for boithe somer and wyntir, (excepte whene the froest is most vehemonte), goynge alwaies bair leggide and bair footide, our delite and pleasure is not onely in huntynge of redd deir, wolfes, foxes, and graies, whereof we abounde, and have greate plentie, but also in rynninge, leapinge, swymmynge, shootynge, and thrawinge of dartis: therfor, in so moche as we use and delite so. to go alwaies, the tendir delicatt gentillmen of Scotland call us Redshankes. And agayne in wynter, whene the froest is mooste vehement (as I have saide) which we can not suffir bair footide, so weill as snow, whiche can never hurt us whene it cummes to our girdills, we go a huntynge, and after that we have slayne redd deir, we flaye of the skyne, bey and bey, and settinge of our bair foote on the insyde thereof, for neide of cunnyge shoemakers, by your Graces pardon, we play the sutters; compasinge and measuringe so moche thereof, as shall retche up to our ancklers pryckynge the uppir part thereof also with holis, that the water may repass when it entres, and stretchide up with a stronge thwange of the same, meitand above our saide ancklers, so, and pleas your noble Grace, we make our shoois: Therfor, we usinge such maner of shoois, the roghe hairie syde outwart, in your Graces dominion of England, we be callit roghe footide Scottis; which manner of schoois (and pleas your Highnes) in Latyn be callit perones, wherof the poet Virgil makis mencioun, saying, That the olde auncient Latyns in tyine of wars uside suche maner of schoos. And aithoughe a greate sorte of us Reddshankes go after this maner in our countrethe, yeit never the les, and pleas your Grace, whene we come to the courte (the Kinges grace our greate master being alyve) waitinge on our Lordes and maisters, who also, for velvetis and silkis be right well araide, we have as good garmentis as some of our fellowis whiche gyve attendance in the court every daye."-John Elder, 1543
yep videos are fantastic and i would love to wear the belted plaid so thank you.
Really getting hooked on these videos. I’ve seen the Gilly brogues before never thought they would be that comfortable but I was told that the design of them goes back quite a long time. They remind me of some of the early shoes that were found in prehistoric or bronze age sites or at least what was left of them. Some of the Native Americans used to stuff their moccasins or winter animal hide boots with grass that had been dried and balled up into what you could call the original Foot cushions or inserts :-) I’ve also seen wall or for wrapped around the toes and etc. put into moccasins or boots. Looking forward to the next video
Very good, informative video. Practical. Thanks
I'm enjoying this series
You have a colder darker winter than I do, southwest of Seattle. But what works there would work here.
Thanks again, your effort is appreciated.
Most people don't know or tend to forget that it's because of the latitude. If Seattle was in Europe it would be just south of Germany. Also, there wouldn't be as many hipsters. Just kidding, love Seattle. I am in the very southwest of Germany, and we are still 48° latitude, Seattle is 47°. Edinburgh is 55° latitude, winters will be really dark with short days there. But also quite mild, we have harder frosts than they have in most parts.
@@Gandalf-The-Green funny thing I saw a heavily bearded hipster the other day, and the Monty Python Lumberjack Song got stuck in my head.
@@davidvavra9113 Well, you know that if he was a lumberjack, then he's ok.....
@@vjordan1709 indeed.
So good!
Great idea about the woolen long underwear...I would myself put woolen socks up over the bottom half and hold them up w/garters and tabs matching the kilt, for a bit more flair...and warmth!
I love your video. very informative! :)
Thank you!
The shoes are very interesting and simple. Nike should modernise it! You should be a consultant in certain movies heheh.
Can you make a video of how people prepared haggis. Probably that vary from a location... Ps. Good job with the research.
The right half of the thumbnail looks like a video game and now I really want a highlander game with you in it
I really enjoy your including Gaelic language into the video. Even if it isnt explained or you take a video to explain it later.
"Breacan" also means "variegated pattern"! Gàidhlig is still used today & you don't need to speak in the past tense when you're talking about the language :+)
Tha sin fìor gu dearbh
Hi my name is Elle and I'm from Australia. My great-grandmother was a Scottish descendant. I like your videos and find them very interesting. I would love to visit Scotland again and see Urquart castle. My great-grandmother was a descendant of the Urquart family. Keep up the good work. 😊
Great vlog.
Another really interesting, informative & very enjoyable video Tom 👏 your such an interesting man, full of wonderful knowledge 🙂 take care my friend, stay safe & ATB 🙏🙂👍 Andy
Loved it thanks
I like your video's refreshing no product reviews . On the clothing I think its the animal skin that wins the clothing war it has kept our tribes warm since the beginning of time also has done a very good job of protecting our animals it's hard to argue skins rule . At 75 years old Ivam still wearing my grand fathers sheep skin vest .
It makes sense wealthier men would have had the plaid leggings. To get a tight fit with woven wool fabric the pants would have been cut on the bias (as in the painting shown) this would have used more yardage and more waste. The whole point of the kilt is that the entire bolt of fabric is used, and could be adjusted due to weight gain or passed onto family members. Only the wealthy could be able to afford to cut their bolt through the diagonal.
It was more that they were more often on horses for which the kilt wasn't very practical
Hiya please would you consider doing a video on some of the historic sites near you in Scotland? I don't mean the large well known ones but smaller stone circles, standing stones, brochs etc stuff like that
Yeah I could try that :) thanks :)
Pretty cool great stuff.
Fandanidozi
Townsend
And corporals corner
Are 3 very good representation of 3 different generations of wilderness survival
Very interesting.
Thanks!
Huge fan of your channel man. Huge fan of Scotland wilderness and highlanders in general. From the states but I’m a giant researcher of Gaelic culture particularly the warrior culture and their connection to the land it’s my favorite research topic. Anyways would love your input on where I could obtain a hiking staff that highlanders actually used at least the style of it. As well as you should get together with the Pace Brothers they are big time wilderness people and talk a lot on the rewilding of Scotland on their podcast. Not sure if you’ve met them or not.
Thanks man! I talk about where to buy stuff in my QnA video. But I think the link to the plaid has expired. Sorry about that. No I havnt actually. Are the based in Scotland? I will check them out
I ended up finding the QnA video right after I commented not sure how I missed that one. Yes they are based in Scotland they are more into expedition hunting and conservation issues. You should check them out though. Not sure if you hunt or not but I’ll put a link to their “Into The Wilderness” series.
czcams.com/play/PLTJgjFl5syzeqaB4UIvLjjCAevOhw9sgD.html
Also one more question where would you say the wildest place in Scotland is? As far as wilderness and wildlife, Skye? My wife and I are planning a backpacking vacation in Scotland one of these years and we want to hike and camp through some of the more wilderness places.
In Florida when a sudden freeze comes, they will hose the oranges down with water. The water will freeze and insulate the orange inside. Otherwise, the freeze would destroy the oranges. So ya never know about freezing their wool....
See if you can find references to flannel shirts and shifts. Those would be your wool base layer.
Well done.
Some interesting videos, which gives one some appreciation of our ancestors possible lifestyle.
However, they probably didn't have the use of Dachstein mitts! :o)
Thank you.
There are a number of portraits from the 1700's showing highlanders wearing fur. The ones that come to mind were jerkins.
would love to see some more archery, just getting into traditional selfbow archery myself
Yes please, that would be great if possible some time.
Regarding materials, I come from a warm country (Catalunya) but something we do see here is that linen was often used throughout the middle ages and well into the 18th century, alongside hemp clothing, until its use was substituted by cotton.
I am into historical reenactment myself (from Late Roman to Late Medieval), and a winning combination usually is linen for the undergarments (cold stuff but gets warm easily) covered by layers of wool (maintains the temperature and keeps the wind at bay).
I'd suggest, if you can, look for evidence of hemp cloth, hemp use was widely used before cotton became widespread, and a single acre of hemp yields more fiber than the same extent of flax weed.
Regarding wool, I've read other commentaries mentioning the natural oils in wool. As far as I know, the type of woolen cloth used in Scandinavia from the late Iron Age onward was called "vaðmal", and the fibers were processed in such a way that clothing became virtually waterproof. As far as I know, this technique was used throughout the Germanic and Germianic-influenced world (Bristish Isles, Scandinavia, central Europe).
Regarding the trews, some of the earlier examples of trouser finds point toward tight fitting pants (as form example in Thorsberg Mose and Damendorf, between the 1st and 5th centuries AD), as well as later examples (as for example in Scandinavia the examples of Hedeby and Skjoldehamn among others), always made of wool given that wool has a natural elasticity that cannot be found in linen or cotton,and often covering the feet as well..
Hose that went all the way up and were bound to some belt tended to be tight fitting as well and even the medieval profession "chaucer" derives from the element itself "chausses". apparently these have an origin in late antiquity, and given the contact Scotland had with both Scandinavia and England it is very probable that high-standing people would prefer chausses (hose) over trousers (trews) as they require good degree of mastery in making clothing, whereas rather tightfitting (slightly tailored) trews would be something that almost everyone would achieve.
With regard to the clothing of the great kilt (and its many other names), I would suggest taking a look at an example of one of the earliest kilts which is found in the museum at the Castle of Stirling (or was it Edinburgh), there you can see that the type of woolen fabric was quite sturdy yet apparently waterproof andlight at the same time (if I recall correctly).
Well, enough said. Keep up the good work!
P.S.: I enjoy your videos a lot and have even tried making my bedroll following your example, and succeeded to a certain extent ^^
I think the highlanders could've worn the wraps he has in a foot of snow, maybe put 2 on each foot. I went snowboarding yesterday and decided not to wear my shoes for about an hour in 6 inches of icy snow, and while this may be because I often do go barefoot, I think if I had a pair of wraps for my feet I would've been fine. (As is it was legitimately painful and I may have got very slight frostbite because my feet tingled for about 3 hours)
Donegal tweed is flecked or speckled, so it's possible earlier highland tweed was flecked too. It's an easier fabric to weave than a checked pattern like tartan. I'm speculating though.
It would make sense as camouflage, for hunting. Mind you, I thought of barm brack. The same speckled root word, I suppose.
A note on the 'cow skin shoes' The Sami people in Northern Scandinavia would made shoes out of Reindeer pelts. The hair being on the outside. The reason being the insulating properties stop the cold penetrating to the foot but also the fact the hair prevented slipping in ice and snow. Ray Mears touches on it here. czcams.com/video/2WdSJCe_cNs/video.html The bad smell part might have something to do with covering the 'man smell' when hunting.
A nice sheep skin over the saddle is great all year long
Also they fleece quality then didn't include the softness against the skin that we now have with fine micron Merino and also alpaca. Most cold climate sheep then had coarser more scratchy itch quality than we would wish for now.
The clothing in the film ROB ROY with Liam Neason matches clothing worn at that time in history in Scotland and the museum at the CULLODEN battlefield also has a good historically accurate collection.
About the word "kjalta".
In Denmark, Western Jutland, we have a old word for bad looking clothe, its: "Pjalter", which could be, depending on how you pronounce it, be the more "modern" word for kjalta.
The word "pjalter" is used about cloth that is in a bad state, got holes in it or is very worn.
Many old words have lost their original meaning or have a complete opposite meaning today.
There's tales of Voyagers dipping their mittens in the river as they paddle canoe, so the mitts will freeze and keep the wind out. Our horses prefer to be covered with snow layer outside and stay warm under it rather than be in the barn where they have free access all the time. When its bitter without snow we do make them wear coats to block the wind. Their choice to be outside rain or snow. I'll wear my heavy winter coat and sweater and boots and long socks and mits and scarf and cap even if I look like a haystack with eyes. I don't strip fleece for spinning and weaving unless I'm going to dye it. I love the lanolin smell. )).. spun and wove a great kilt in exchange for clarsaich. Both of us happy. )))
thank you for enjoy video , i like your history lesson, as english man who like history ,on my mother side have scot connection
I think more common than dipping your Plaid in the stream would be to rub it in the morning dew to get a fine moisture covering on only the outside surface
I enjoy your videos. I was returning to one of your earlier ones and found this. I wanted to ask about severe cold weather which I believe Scotland can have. After three months of living through local temperatures around -12 C, with no relief in sight, I dug out my extra snow suits today and thought of you! (I can help being a bit depressed when this severe weather drags into ¨spring¨. One of my vehicles is actually frozen to the ground and cannot be driven.)
I cannot imagine Scottish men so lightly dressed in extremely bad weather. For instance, what would men have worn in the stormy and cold northern islands? Would that have been different that the plaid and kilt, etc.?
In the 17th century the northern hemisphere was said to still be in a ´mini ice age´. Some sources claim that the many heavy layers worn, for instance by the Tudor court was due to the severe cold. I liken those costumes, the weight and warmth, to what I put on my bed.
For millennia it was customary to wear linen undergarments next to the skin because these garments absorbed perspiration and body fluids and could be changed frequently. Outer garments frequently could not be, or were not washed. For instance, standard female attire was, linen chemise, petticoat, kirtle, gown and/or possibly a coat. Bloomers, knickers, etc. were not worn by either sex. So much for wondering what is under a manś kilt. For the times, no one had that kind of under garment. I have not studied male attire that much but there was a similar sequencing for males in the middle ages.
An appropriate crotch was not invented for ´hose´ for quite some time so as you say, long stockings, sewn from woven fabric, not knitted, were tied to a belt. (Interestingly the curved crotch seam which makes trousers comfortable is a fairly new invention. Still today in some Middle Eastern and Asian countries, women who sew their own garments create wide, loose trousers by sewing legs onto something resembling a miniskirt.
I took a highland dance class and the instructor said the Highland Fling was a political statement of defiance. It is said to be about shedding and kicking off ´trews´ that the English enforced on Scotsmen as some point. Wearing of the kilt is supposed to equal national identity and freedom. The dance was traditionally done by men, according to the instructor.
There is a comment somewhere about the young Mary Queen of Scots when she was a girl in France. It said her native costume was a collection of skins, and wild furs. This was written by a French person and I think it must have been exaggerated. With the internet I have searched in vain for any example of such a Scottish costume on anyone at any date. (I do not remember where I read the description but it was one of the acclaimed biographies of Mary.)
I know people were tougher in the old days. Native Americans, for instance, lived in cold temperatures with garments we would find inadequate. They seemed to adapt quickly to the European blankets. (This was a forerunner of the famous Pendleton blankets, made near where I live.) People all over the world 400 years ago were used to more cold than we can stand today. That said, I wonder if the costume demonstrated in these videos would have been worn by people having to work or travel long distances in vicious cold? Imagine mucking out the barn and feeding the stock in the plaid with thin shoes.
Shoes have long been a problem. We are so fortunate to live in an age when footwear is sturdy and readily available! Very long leather boots were sometimes worn but I do not know what class wore them. I think I will link a picture in another short post.
My heritage is Russian and people there wore more substantial clothing as did the Vikings. Did the Scots felt any of the wool? For instance Russians have long made felt boots or boot liners called ´valenki´.
Thanks for all the info :D I have thought a lot about these sort of things and have not yet found very clear answers. It has been proven that people who grew up in colder conditions have higher densities of "brown fat" in their body, helping them insulate themselves better. So no doubt people in the Highlands were very tough, but then some stories sound exaggerated :) thanks again for sharing
Great job wonderful video. I enjoy using my Flint and Steels and a Nickolson File made in Mexico also works well as a steel. Ed Robertson Canada
Well done mate. Appreciate the effort.
Thanks! It's not easy finding the info tbh :) I'm glad you liked it :)
Very nice and very beautiful video and very useful ^_^
Thanks for the idea of wearing long johns underwear, I will try and find some black ones that will look better than white under my kilt and I have large woolen hose that some nice woman knitted and they will cover the bottom part up to my knees.I had to darn some holes on the heel part and I found youtube helpful in how to darn, love your videos
To your left(my right)apx. 50 feet is a Werewolf. My grandmum was from Govan and told me many stories about Werewolves as well as having given me two claws and a clump of hair. The DNA test I paid an arm and a leg for came backs as an unknown canine. I have also seen and have pics she took as a child and young lady and I have an old home movie lasting about 40 seconds of Werewolves on a rampage.
They couldn't find their way to Lee Ho Fook's. It put them in a foul temper, and they rampaged... no beef chow mein for you! 😉🙃
The Scottish chief and under chiefs of the clann wore a coat mase of badger fur,very long also,some highland chiefs wore highland cow hide with fur coat.
Another possible etymology for kilt is "cheilt," meaning "hidden."
Interesting about the norse and english words though, hadn't been aware of those.
I can't help thinking that those tough Scottish ancestors were fairly used to "brisk" weather, and since it's easier to dry off and warm up bare feet than to dry out boots and socks, I'd bet good money that in wet weather they carried their shoes and went barelegged as much as possible, for short stints outdoors. Once one is in shelter or making camp, one can then dry off those chilly wet feet and get'em in some warm dry stockings and shoes for the night. Of course, it would only work for a short time, and above a certain temp, but I betcha folks went barefoot a LOT back then. Makes ya tough.
7:43 - everyone's heart skips a beat
Could you show what women wore in the winter also ? I enjoyed your talk and for it very interesting.
Thank you
Great channel with lots of very interesting and useful information. Do you think we could be organising each year a walk in Scottish Highlands for the purpose of exchange information and experience on traditional ways of life in different parts of the world? One condition: NO (or at least as possible) CONTEMPORARY CLOTHES AND EQUIPMENT (except emergency back-up).
That would be pretty Cool! Definitely a possibility for the future. I am working towards doing something like that one day. They main thing would be footwear. Unless you have worn simple leather shoes all your life people may break a angle easily, but possible with the clothing etc. And as you said some emergency gear too :)
Hard to believe, but my ancestors wore just such clothing.
I think that pine marten fur was another possibility.
Aw, they're so cute though.
One item I am not seeing in your kit is a waxed or oiled leather cape or overcoat to keep you dry.
Hmm, wool underlayer, wool middle, wool outer layer, wool plaid, and wool trousers. Starting to think wool might be good for staying warm..
I love your highlander series videos. Your attention to detail is very impressive. Can you share where you get parts of your kit from ? I realize you make most of it. I'm trying to find a correct sewing pattern for the outer jacket and bonnet for 17th century and early 18th. Any help would be appreciated mate. Cheers
Just looked at the end as I was thinking of it, that you may not have been wearing a medieval or cloak pin as I would have expected. If I didn't just miss it, wondering why not.
Those look similar to the Roman millitary, possibly civilian unsure, sandal. The Roman style was usually shod with iron nails, but were popular even durring the invasion of Britain.
As far as I have learned they wrapped their feet in linnen, or wool cloth durring cold times for warmth. Supposedly it worked very well concidering there is very little, or no, evidence of mass toe loss due to freezing.
That might be where the style came from..... Roman influence.... I could be wrong, but who is to say.
The ancient Romans had boots. I'm sure I've seen translated letters from legionaries in Britain, requesting supplies of socks and jocks for the British climate. Obviously the contemporary equivalent of, but they weren't dressing for Rome on the east coast of Britain.
Norwegian “sea mittens” are traditionally made of wool and dipped in the sea to make them windproof, so I wouldn’t be surprised if Scottish highlanders did something similar.