A short distance from Glasgow city centre on the south bank of the Clyde is an area known as The Gorbals. The origins of the Gorbals are quite surprising – most people, myself included just think of the history of slums associated with this area, but The Gorbals started off as a small village centred on one street, […]
Is it really? Its just a kilt! well no its not ‘just a kilt’ its a piece of art that will last more than one lifetime. A kilt is made from 8 yards of either 14oz – 18oz woollen tartan, woven right here in Scotland. The process the cloth goes through before it even gets […]
So, you’ve decided now is the time to buy a kilt. Whether it’s because you’ve rented a kilt so many times you could’ve bought a new one twice over, or it could be for a special occasion or you’ve just decided to go for it. The decision has been made. A lot of thought goes […]
Back in 1820 or thereabouts there were two wee English brothers, born in Wales, by the names of John Hay Allen and Charles Hay Allen who moved to Moray, Scotland. After being there a while they changed the spelling of their name to Allan, to make it look more Scottish, but then shortened it to Hay. These two brothers are […]
Tartan is one of the most distinctive and recognisable textile in the western world and Scotland has become one with it. The earliest reports we see about tartan come from the Roman writers Virgil and Tacitus who wrote that the Picts/Celts were wearing striped, sometimes across, cloaks, shiny and bright. Tacitus also says they were […]
The origins of Scottish Highland dancing like most of our Scottish traditions are swathed in the mists of time. Our proud history and traditions were orally told and passed through the generations. It is said that the old kings and clan chiefs would hold Highland games as a means to select the best men […]
When you make the decision to purchase your very own kilt or give one as a present, it is something that has been thought about and maybe even been saved up for. Buying a kilt is can be a special occasion for a lot of people. It is traditionally made to measure, can be in […]
A rare 17th Century map found hidden by a chimney on the Castle Fraser estate has been returned home to Aberdeenshire. The incredible rare document, one of only three created by Dutch engraver Gerald Valck, was discovered in Drumnahoy House, then part of the castle estate, during the 1980s. Paula Swan, property manager at Castle […]
We all know that a kilt is an expensive purchase, but when you think of all the suits you’ll be buying over the years compared to one kilt that is specifically made to last a lifetime, is it really? You could go down the kilt hire route. Let’s just say you are getting married and […]
The kilt has a proud history especially in the Highland regiments, however, it also has a dark side. Especially when fighting abroad. During the Boer war 1899 – 1902 Highland soldiers had their legs scraped up by thorns as they struggled through the African bush. You might think to yourself that this shouldn’t be a […]
