A person who has read a lot about the traditions of the Scots, their historical roots and way of life many years ago, when asked: “Why do the Scots wear a kilt, where did this tradition come from?”, will answer that the men’s skirt in this country is not just part national costume. This is a symbol of courage, freedom, courage, severity and stubbornness of real mountaineers.

Once upon a time in Scotland, not all residents of this country wore a kilt skirt. Highlanders, that is, mountaineers living in harsh climates, walking or riding vast distances on horseback, sleeping in the open air, regardless of precipitation, were forced to use clothing that made their life easier.

The kilt was clothing that did not restrict movement, and a blanket that saved from the cold during the night. When walking on tall grass or mountain paths, the legs of the trousers got wet and constantly needed to be dried; this was not a problem with the skirt. And if it was necessary to engage in battle, then the kilt was thrown aside as an extra item, and the highlanders rushed to the attack, not constrained by excess clothing.

Legends and facts

Experts assure that these are not empty words. There are several known historical facts confirming such battles. But first, a beautiful legend. In 1544, two clans, the MacDonalds and the Camerons, united and entered into battle with the Frasers. Since they were all highlanders, they went into battle, throwing aside their kilts. The battle remained in the epics and memory of the people under the name “Battle of the Shirts.”

But 100 years later, in 1645, this actually happened. The army of the Marquis of Montrose, consisting of three thousand Scots, took battle at Kilsyth with the eight thousandth detachment of Sir William Bailey. Perhaps the mountaineers were helped by their preparation and endurance, but the fact remains in history that they rushed into battle naked. Victory was on their side.

Why do the Scots wear a kilt, despite the government ban?

In the 18th century, after the suppression of another Jacobite uprising, the British authorities, seeing in the national dress of the highlanders a challenge to public opinion, a demonstration of independence and love of freedom, tried to teach men in the mountainous regions to wear trousers. The strict ban lasted 36 years.

But the kilt did not disappear completely. The fact is that it remained in the equipment of the mountain regiments, and therefore, after some time, it again became an element in demand by the men of this country.

What is a kilt?

There are many options for the origin of the word, but the most reliable seems to be the derivative from “scots”, that is, “to wrap around oneself”. But perhaps the name was inspired by the style of the clothing, because translated from Old Icelandic it is simply folded clothing.

The Scots used to have large and small kilts. Large - these are two pieces of fabric sewn together, making up a single fabric 6-7 meters long. The lower part was folded and secured at the waist with a belt, and the upper part was thrown over the shoulder and served as a cloak or hood. It becomes obvious why the Scots wear a kilt, why there was a need for something that did not occupy their hands during the day, serving as outerwear, and at night became a tent, sleeping bag or blanket. The large kilt already existed in the 17th century; now it is almost impossible to see it in everyday life.

The small kilt appeared a century later, in the 18th century. This is the lower, more functional part of a large blanket. A piece of fabric is wrapped around the hips and secured with straps with buckles. The length of the skirt is usually knee-length.

What can something like this tell us?

By tradition, the Scots wear kilts made of thick woolen fabric - tartan. Heavy and dense clothing practically does not wrinkle and is very durable. The owners wear their kilts for a long time. Tartan is woven, observing the combination and interweaving of stripes different color. This is not just a tribute to aesthetics. It is known that each Scottish clan uses its own colors in tartans, and even the order and angle of intersection of the stripes matters. It was once natural and necessary to recognize belonging to a particular clan by clothing.

But the tartan could also tell about the social status of the owner. To do this, it was enough to count the number of colors that were present in the fabric: a servant - one color, a farmer - two, an officer - already three. The military leader wore five flowers on his skirt, the poet six, and the leader seven. A very convenient way to find out the social status of a new acquaintance. It becomes more clear why the Scots wear kilts, although this tradition is now almost extinct.

The kilt becomes everyday Scottish clothing

Already in the middle of the 19th century, the kilt gained popularity not only among the highlanders; suddenly, the men of Scotland fully appreciated this clothing and began to wear it. Folded small kilts became popular among members of the intelligentsia and nobility. Then the fashion was picked up and spread throughout the territory. When, in 1822, King George IV himself wore a kilt to an official reception and ordered all local nobility to dress in national dress, this piece of clothing began a second life.

Why do the Scots wear a kilt today, what makes them wear such “unmasculine” clothes? Experts call this a desire to self-identify in the global environment, to emphasize and support centuries-old national traditions finally, just feel the freedom and independence that our ancestors were so proud of.

If twenty years ago the kilt was clothing for official receptions, office attire, and a wedding suit, today everything large quantity men prefer to wear it in everyday life.

Additional accessories

When you look at photos of Scots in kilts, you wonder what else is supposed to be worn along with the national clothes of the Highlanders. Since the plaid skirt was made without pockets, a leather wallet was needed to store various small items, called a “sporran”. It was hung from a belt.

The kilt is secured at the front with a special kiltpin, usually made in the form of a bladed weapon. Celtic designs are applied to the pin. The purpose of the kiltpin is not so much to fasten the hem of the skirt, but to make its bottom heavier.

Scottish leg warmers or hoses are long knee-length socks that are secured to the leg with lacing. Ideally, there is a headdress. The beret must be the same colors as the kilt.

There may be another reason why modern Scots wear kilts. Photos of brutal men in skirts with an indispensable knife in their garter make a strong impression on women. Previously, back in the 17th century, the Scots, who did not leave the house without weapons, carried a knife in an armpit sheath. But visiting any house required that the guest not hide his weapon, so the knife was each time transferred to the garter of the right knee socks. Soon he remained there.

Modern designers and clothing manufacturers have caught the changing fashion trend in Scotland and offered consumers interesting options kilts

A skirt is an invariable part of any fashionista's wardrobe. However, this term is general. It refers to any garment that goes around the waist and covers bottom part bodies. The length of the skirts may vary. It all depends on existing traditions and fashion trends. Typically, models are designed to be either cylindrical or conical in shape. This characteristic allows this wardrobe item to be very comfortable and versatile. can come in a huge variety of materials, colors and styles.

The idea that such clothing is part of only a woman's wardrobe is most common in modern society. However, in some countries, men also wear skirts.

Story

The origins of the appearance of trousers lie in an ordinary skirt. For many thousands of years, all men and women were dressed in comfortable and practical clothing. Their wardrobe contained skirts and raincoats. Trousers appeared much later. It is believed that pants made of leather came to Europe around five hundred years BC. The Gauls, as well as the Germans, appreciated this clothing. It was very convenient for riders. However, for quite a long period, “barbarian clothing” was prohibited in Rome, the leading civilization of the ancient world. Nowadays everything has changed. However, along with pants, Scottish men still wear a skirt.

Ancient traditions

The men's Scottish skirt is a traditional item of clothing for the Highlanders. What is she? This is a piece of fabric that is wrapped around the waist and secured to it with buckles and straps.

What is the name that men wear? This wardrobe item can be of several types. That is why it has different names.

Clothing of the ancient highlanders

Scottish skirt for men gets its name from the Old Norse word "kjilt". Translated, it means “folded.”

What is the name of the Scottish skirt? Translated into Russian, the traditional wardrobe item of the Scottish highlanders has two varieties. What is the name of the Scottish skirt that was worn in the old days? In ancient times, this item of clothing was a very bulky garment. It was called the “big kilt”. Such a skirt, which was a large piece of fabric, was wrapped from the very top of the head to the knees. It is believed that similar robes were worn by the Vikings on military campaigns. The Scottish men's skirt, whose name is a large kilt, perfectly retained warmth in cold weather. The main reason that the Scottish highlanders chose this particular costume for themselves lies in the rainy climate of the country. The big kilt dried quickly. In addition, at campsites during a hike it could easily be turned into a blanket.

Another reason for the popularity of this type of clothing lies in the mountainous terrain of Upper Scotland. The large kilt gave maximum freedom of movement, in addition, during an attack it could be easily thrown off.

Modern models

What is the name of the Scottish skirt for men that is common today? Much later than the large kilt, the small kilt appeared. It is believed that it originated from the British in 1725. It was then that the manager of a steel mill suggested cutting off the upper part of the kilt. This made it possible to make this wardrobe item as comfortable as possible. The small kilt is much smaller in size than the large one. That's why it looks like a skirt.

Distribution of the kilt

Despite the fact that Scottish highlanders have long preferred to wear such a costume, it was recognized as an element of national culture only in the mid-19th century. It was then that the kilt became popular among the country's nobility and intelligentsia. Somewhat later, the lowland inhabitants of Scotland adopted this clothing. In addition, the kilt became an integral part of the wardrobe of the Irish, Welsh, and men. Representatives of the Scottish diaspora abroad also began to wear such a costume.

Material used

What is the name of the fabric for sewing a kilt? The Scottish men's skirt is made from a special woolen material. It is called tartan. This fabric is produced with lines of different widths and colors that intersect at different angles.

In earlier times, the pattern on the material from which skirts were made was different for each clan and made it possible to identify a stranger. Tartan also indicated a person’s social position. If there was only one color on the fabric, then the kilt belonged to a servant; if there were two, then it belonged to a farmer. Three shades could only be on the clothes of an officer, five - a military leader, six - a poet, and seven - a leader. Currently, the industry produces about seven hundred different tartan designs.

Modern trend in fashion

Today, the kilt is experiencing a kind of surge in popularity. Jean-Paul Gaultier remembered skirts for men. Some famous fashion houses began to produce kilts, breaking the imposed stereotypes. Not long ago, the Levi's brand began producing denim men's skirts.

Device

Unlike traditional women's skirts, the kilt has a very simple design. This part is manufactured men's wardrobe from one strip of fabric, seventy centimeters wide and two to eight yards long. The middle of the material is collected into an accordion. As a result, the length of the cut should be reduced to a size equal to one and a half turns around the customer’s waist. It is worth considering that there should be a flat area on each side of the fabric. When putting on a kilt, the folds are placed at the back. Straight sections of fabric are placed on top of each other in front, resulting in a so-called apron (apron).

Accessories

There are four essential items that must be worn with a kilt. Leg warmers must be worn with a men's Scottish skirt. A beret, sewn from the same fabric as the kilt itself, should also be present. Another must-have accessory is the kiltpin. This item is shaped like a sword and would traditionally be decorated with Celtic runes.

A purse bag is hung on the front of the kilt. It is usually made of leather and then decorated with fur, fringe or metal. Under the weight of this bag, the kilt skirt remains as static as possible in strong winds or when walking.

The Highlanders of Scotland, the famous Roman legions, and the Greeks too, sported unshaven knees. And this did not stop them from feeling like men.

The Scottish skirt, kilt, is a symbol of courage, freedom, courage, severity and stubbornness of real highlanders and has excited the imagination of the fair sex for centuries.

Replacing skirts with pants

The history of trousers began... with an ordinary skirt. For thousands of years, the clothing of men and women included skirts and cloaks. The appearance of trousers happened much later. Y.V. Bromley and R.G. Podolny in the book “Created by Humanity” wrote about excavations near Vladimir, where they found the remains of people in fur pants who lived 20 thousand years ago. This suggests the emergence of pants even before the domestication of horses. Presumably, leather pants came to Europe from the Scythians, who lived about 500 BC. The Germans and Gauls appreciated clothing that was so comfortable for the rider. But for a long time, “barbarian clothing” was banned in one of the leading civilizations of the Ancient World and antiquity - Ancient Rome.

Now everything has changed, but the Scots and Greeks wore a skirt, along with pants, for a long time.

Women's advance into men's territories

Women have long encroached on the holy of holies - men's trousers, but their struggle for equality was truly selfless. It was only after World War II that women were able to wear men's trousers more freely.

Historians claim that the first to wear them was the national heroine of France, Joan of Arc. It was the wearing of men's clothing that the court tribunal was able to blame; the girl courageously rejected the rest of the charges. Under the pretext that Joan of Arc had put on men's clothes again, her women's clothes were taken away from her, and she was sentenced to be burned.

In 1950, rock and roll finally gave women's trousers freedom.

History of the kilt

Kilt- an item of men's clothing, traditional clothes brave Highlanders of Scotland.

The kilt is made from a large piece of fabric about 12 ells (1356 cm), wrapped around the waist and secured with special buckles and belts. The kilt is accompanied by a small bag for personal belongings - a sporran, and the kilt itself can be “big” (Great Kilt, Breacan Feile) and “small” (Little kilt, Feileadh Beg). A large kilt can be thrown over your shoulder and covered in bad weather. Nowadays the kilt is about four or five yards long (3657-4572 mm) and 56-60 inches (142-151 cm) wide.

Real highlanders, with a kilt, carry a knife behind their right stocking. If the knife is located on the outside of the golf course (in front), then this meant a declaration of war. From the very beginning of the 17th century, the Scots used the occles skin - an axillary dagger located in the left sleeve under the armpit. The traditions of hospitality required that a weapon be visible when visiting, and the highlander transferred the knife from a secret pocket to the garter of his right knee socks. Over time, they began to carry a knife constantly, and it received the name skin doo.

The first description of a kilt in the Scottish Highlands occurs in 1594: “Their outerwear is a speckled robe of various colors, with many folds up to the middle of the calves, with a belt around the waist, tightening the clothes.”

And in the description of 1746 it is said: “This clothing is quite loose and helps men who are accustomed to it overcome difficult obstacles: make quick transitions, endure the severity of the weather, and cross rivers. A kilt is equally convenient for life in the forest and in houses. In a word, it helps to cope with what regular clothes I can’t.”

The word “Kilt” itself comes from the Old Icelandic kjilt (“folded”) and the formidable Vikings with tartan. Tartan is a woolen material with lines of varying widths and colors that intersect each other at certain angles. Each clan had its own inclination, color and width of the tartan, which made it possible to immediately identify a stranger. By the number of tartan colors one could determine a person's social status: one - a servant, two - a farmer, three - an officer, five - a military leader, six - a poet, seven - a leader. There are now about 700 tartan designs (sets), although many were forgotten during the ban on kilts.

Not all Scots wore a kilt, but only the Highlanders. In Scotland (Highlands), a large kilt was very suitable for rainy climates and mountainous terrain. The kilt warmed well enough, provided freedom of movement, dried well, and at night became a warm blanket. During the battle, when maximum freedom of movement was required, the highlanders took off their kilts and fought in their shirts.

There is even a legend about such a battle. In 1544, a battle of clans took place between the Frasers, MacDonalds and Cameroons, it was called Blar-na-Leine, which translated means “Battle of the Shirts”. But this is a common play on words: "Blar na Leine" comes from "Blar na Leana", which translates as "Place of the marshy meadow".

But there was also real battle no kilts. In August 1645 the Battle of Kilsyth took place. The Marquis of Montrose with three thousand Scots and Irish met in battle against the army of seven thousand William Baillie. The Scottish Highlanders, who struck the center of the enemy's positions, threw off their kilts during the battle and defeated superior forces wearing only their shirts.

Photo: baekken flickr.com/annspan

In the 18th century The British authorities tried to ban the wearing of a kilt by the Scots, in which they saw the waywardness of the Highlanders, and force them to wear trousers. But the proud and stubborn Highlanders bypassed the law and wore a kilt and wore their trousers on a stick.

The small kilt supposedly originated in 1725 at the instigation of the Englishman Rawlinson. The manager of the steel mill suggested leaving only the lower part of the kilt for convenience, and cutting off the rest. The length of the kilt was determined as follows: the owner squatted down and the edge of the material that touched the floor was cut off.

Nowadays the kilt is popular not only among the militant Scots, but also among the dignified Englishmen.

Choosing a kilt and how to wear it

Great Kilt, Breacan Feile.

The fabric is laid out on the ground and a non-corrugated piece is measured from the end to your width at the hips. The rest of the material is pulled up and laid in even folds. A belt is placed under the folded material with the buckle to the right. You need to lie on the fabric with your face and wrap the folded left end around yourself, then the smooth right end and secure it with a belt. Stand up and drape the hanging upper part around the body: one end is pulled through the back, the other through the chest and secured with a buckle on the shoulder.

Photo: David Ball wikipedia.org

Small kilt (Feileadh Beg).

The main mistake a beginner makes is trying to place the folds of the kilt in front rather than in the back.

There are strict rules regarding the length of the kilt: “It must be four and a half centimeters above the floor when a man is kneeling, and its folds must strictly coincide with the checks on the fabric.”

The kilt is secured at the front with a special kilt pin. They are usually made in the shape of swords and decorated with ancient Celtic designs. Its task is to add weight to the free corner of the external apron. With the kilt they wear knee-length socks - Scottish hetaeras (hosses), as well as a long homespun shirt, the so-called Jacobite Shirt. A woolen beret in the tartan of a kilt is placed on the head.

On the front of the belt is hung a leather wallet - a sporran, decorated with metal details and embossed with Celtic patterns. It helps keep the kilt from lifting during wind and walking. Thus, allowing the man not to show himself in all his glory.

The minimum set of accessories for a kilt: belt, sporran, kiltpin and hose.

One of the interesting things about wearing a kilt is the issue of underwear under the kilt. Traditionally, true highlanders neglect wearing underwear. According to one version, it was forbidden to wear underwear under a kilt in Scottish regiments. Even when men left the army, the love for “freedom” and the habit remained. This is how the tradition of not wearing underwear under a kilt has passed down from generation to generation.

Former soldier Bill Smith, of the Gordon Highland Regiment Museum in Aberdeen: “Every day the regiment was inspected by an officer armed with a mirror, like those used to look for bombs under cars. Anyone who was found to have underpants was sent back to take them off.”

However, recently the Scottish organization Scottish Tartans Authority called for wearing underwear under a kilt for hygiene purposes. One of the members of the Scottish Parliament, Jamie McGrigor, said that he always wore underwear because there were flies in their area that could suddenly attack the “so-called real Scot.” But this demand outraged the Scots, who refused to follow it.

It is also known that all soldiers wearing a kilt were forbidden to climb the stairs to the second floor in trams and buses, so as not to embarrass women. Although maybe that’s why English women love the military so much?

Whether to wear underwear under a kilt or not, the choice is, as always, yours. Photo: Salicia flickr.com/betzywd

Is this courageous? Just remember Sean Connery's Thomas in a kilt. In 1999, People magazine named him the sexiest man of the century, and in 2004, according to a poll by Empire magazine, Connery was placed among the hundred sexiest movie stars in cinema history.

The kilt is no longer something amazing and unnatural, and men are carefully looking at such comfortable clothes, which all our distant ancestors wore. Male opinion is too conservative, but if you listen to women on forums where kilts are discussed, you can learn a lot. Men in kilts, dressed according to all traditions and with a bag - sporran, it turns out, very much excite the female imagination, and many sexual fantasies are associated with them:

“I really liked the men in kilts. So brutal... Well done, they're not like everyone else - they put on their pants and that's it. And these ones stand out. Stand out! I love the Scots. And there are all sorts of bagpipes, and castles, and men in kilts. Guys, why don't you wear kilts? This is not women's skirts with frills, but normal men's clothing. The famous Roman legions, and the Greeks too, sported unshaven knees. And this did not stop them from feeling like men. Ah, kilts, kilts...”

It is no longer news that the Kilt is the national symbol of Scotland, worn by men. Yes, yes, men in skirts are not such a wild thing, and in Scotland they are also a source of pride. Let's look at why the Scots wear skirts and what is the secret of such a highlight.

Courage and independence

Every nation, every state and society has its own characteristics, traditions and national symbols; in Scotland, the kilt - a skirt for men - is considered such a highlight. The product personifies and symbolizes incredible courage, heroic strength, unshakable courage and stubbornness of true warriors, as well as the omnipotence of a Man with a capital M. This item is popular mainly among the highlanders, but no one is forbidden if any Scotsman likes the kilt, and what man doesn’t want to be the standard of strength and independence?

History of the men's skirt

The seventh century was very difficult for the Scottish highlanders - war between clans and an endless struggle for power and territory. It was then that the kilt was born - a men's skirt made of almost one and a half meters of fabric, which is wrapped around the waist and secured with special fasteners and belts, which warriors loved so much. A kind of universal cape.

A prerequisite is only checkered fabric. The kilt turned out to be a very practical and convenient product when fighting men had to carry out a large number of time in campaigns and battles - the thing did not restrict movement, dried quickly and retained heat, allowed you to freely climb heights, and during rest you could cover yourself with fabric, replacing it with a blanket. Given the high humidity of the climate, it was difficult to come up with the most comfortable thing. This is if we talk about a large kilt, the size of which allowed you to wrap your whole body, if necessary. And nothing prevented him from quickly getting rid of the cape in battle. Very practical. What is significant is that each clan had its own “pattern” of material, which made it possible to instantly determine whether a man belonged to one or another clan.

A small kilt is an equally convenient and popular thing that has migrated into the twenty-first century. A familiar and well-known skirt in the world is of a more modest size and covers only the hips and legs to the knees. It became popular only in the 18th century and has not left the pedestal to this day. The advantage of a small kilt is that it is more comfortable and is practically not felt on the body - it does not interfere with the waist, it is very practical for any physical activity, and the thing itself is very warm, since it is traditionally created from a woolen material called tartan - for Russians It is more common to call such fabric “tartan”. That is why the skirt over time gained popularity not only among the highlanders, but also among ordinary workers, and later - ordinary citizens of Scotland and even the nobility.

Why is the kilt considered a symbol of independence and freedom?

Back in the 18th century, the English government deprived Scotland of independence and tried to impose its own rules and prohibitions on the Scottish people, mandatory among which was the rejection of “feminine” kilts and the forced wearing of trousers. The people were outraged by such demands and started a riot - residents dressed in kilts as a matter of principle, and defiantly pulled their pants over a stick, moving with the “construction” through the streets.

The government tried to stop such freedom and disobedience with the threat of imprisonment for a period of six months, and for a repeated violation - with a link to seven years, but the number of protesters was incredibly large, so this method I had to refuse the punishment - you can’t imprison absolutely the entire people. The Scottish nobility did not remain indifferent to what was happening and showed their solidarity with the common people - as a sign of this, the highest circles also dressed in plaid skirts. It was these events that dubbed the kilt a symbol of independence.

In the age of technology and progress

Turning to the traditions that are most famous and do not lose ground in Scotland today, it is important to note that Scottish women are no longer common on the streets. Modern men are increasingly turning to classic trousers, if we talk about everyday life and everyday bustle. Men are no longer required to fight and survive in harsh natural conditions, so it is much more practical and convenient to resort to the use of modern and lightweight wardrobe items. Regarding the kilt, the clothing has rightfully won the title of festive and ceremonial attire, national pride and symbol of freedom.

Representatives of the stronger half of humanity wear kilts on National holidays, weddings, family celebrations, etc. Clothes are considered formal and casual, although there is a small nuance - men do not wear underwear under their kilts, explaining this by preserving ancient traditions, because when the attire was born, the concept of “underwear” simply did not exist yet.

We looked at why Scottish men have preferred the kilt for a long time, as well as what meaning this symbol of the state carries. Remember that in addition to the kilt in Scotland, you should definitely pay attention to:

– rich culture of the people

– incredibly beautiful nature and sights

– famous watches and chocolate

Video on the topic of the article:

Many people associate the word Scotland with men in plaid skirts. Over the centuries, this element of clothing has become a symbol and individual feature of Scotland. By the way, with the help of a skirt, men show their courage and courage, no matter how strange it may seem to you. Do you know why the plaid skirt became such an attribute and retained its popularity to this day? But historians know exactly why this happened.

The first mention of the Scottish kilt (a men's plaid skirt) was made in the seventh century, in the village of Nigg, where an image of a man in this outfit was discovered. And there is a record of such an image in the form of a text in the texts of Bishop Leslie, which were sent in the form of a report to the Pope in the sixteenth century. The bishop wrote in his reports that such outfits were quite practical and comfortable during battles.

It should also be noted that the climate in Scotland is quite humid, which means wearing regular trousers there is not entirely comfortable, especially for those who live in mountainous areas. Men's feet were constantly getting wet, and skirts made it much easier to walk around puddles and streams. At night, such an outfit served as a blanket; this was the main reason why Scottish men living in the mountains preferred the kilt.

Today there are two types of kilts - large and small. The only difference is the way of wearing. Initially, the kilt looked like a large blanket made of wool. This cloth was used to wrap the waist, then the cloth was secured with a belt, and the remaining piece of cloth was simply thrown over the shoulder. But a little later, the excess fabric began to interfere with working citizens and it was simply shortened. This version of the kilt was finally formed in the eighteenth century.

Kilt is translated from Old Icelandic as folded. Initially, such a garment was made from woolen fabric, and it had a bright check. Then there were clans and each of them had its own line and colors, so it was easy to distinguish whether it was a guest or a resident. During the war, mountain residents went out to fight in kilts and only sometimes took them off for convenience. There was a case in history when Scottish men took off their kilts and completely defeated an enemy army that outnumbered them twice in number. By the way, at that time, and this is the seventeenth century, people didn’t really think about underwear.

As stated at the beginning of the material, the kilt is a kind of symbol of freedom, because in the 18th century Britain deprived the Scots of their independence and then the male part of the population was forced to put on trousers again. Only the mountain dwellers still wore kilts, and always carried their trousers with them, but on sticks. And then the authorities passed a law banning the wearing of a kilt. All residents of Scotland were sent to jail if they wore kilts, and if this was repeated, the man was sent to a colony, where he could stay for up to seven years. To make a statement of protest, even representatives wore kilts high society. Today, such an outfit is a symbol and an integral part of the culture of Scotland. Therefore, most of the locals are very annoyed that a kilt is often called a skirt.