Famous Scots Who Made the Kilt Iconic

Kilt is a historical garment that serves as a fashionable garment and expresses Scottish traditions and culture. Scottish people consider it more than a piece of clothing, it is the representation of cultural pride, Scottish ancestor's traditions and identity as well. Initially, the kilt served as a practical garment and contained a large piece of tartan that was wrapped around the body, providing protection against cold weather conditions and making movement easy during their tough adventures. With time, changes were made in the kilt design and now it has emerged as a new fashion trend around the world that is steeped in Scottish history and culture. In this article, we provide an overview of the Scottish heroes who make the kilt an iconic and unique piece of clothing. 

Historical Figures

According to historical figures, some of the Scots played a vital role in keeping Scottish traditions alive through kilts. Here we discuss their efforts as follows:

• Bonnie Prince Charlie

Bonnie Prince Charlie is also known as Prince Charles Edward Stuart, considered the earliest and most significant hero in the history of kilt. He was a key figure in the 1745 Jacobite uprising, during his campaign to reclaim the British throne for his father the Bonnie Prince Charlie and his army was spotted wearing kilts. He wore kilts as a sign of bravery and loyalty to his land. Because of his legendary status in Scottish culture, people keep his traditions alive and wear different types of kilts for men at their events, whether casual or formal.

• Sir Walter Scott

Sir Walter Scott was born in 1771 in Edinburg. He was a poet and best known for the series of his novels, The Waverley Series. He had a significant impact on the growing culture of Scotland throughout the Romantic period. He wrote a lot about Scottish culture and the landscapes that played a vital role in the rise of the kilts as a national identity. His novels and vivid descriptions of Scottish traditions helped in keeping the kilt as an integral part of Scottish culture.

Military Heroes

In the 20th century, the kilts continued to be worn by the military, and a new symbol of heroism was found.  

• Field Marshal Sir Douglas Haig

Field Marshal Sir Douglas Haig was a senior officer in World War I and his efforts played a significant role in the promotion of kilts in the military regiments as a part of the Scottish military uniform. Now the kilted soldiers of the highland regiments are famous for their bravery and distinctive dress. The sight of Scottish soldiers in kilts marching into battle shows the kilt's association with courage and military tradition.

• Major General David Stewart of Garth

As an officer in the British Army, he served with Highland regiments where he saw the importance of kilts as a symbol of identity, pride, and bravery among Scottish soldiers. He was the author of well-known sketches of the Highlander and the Highland regiments. As a result of his writing, kilts gained popularity in the Scottish regiments and served as a symbol of cultural pride. 

Cultural Icons

Some of the iconic figures whose efforts and contributions to the Scottish culture made the kilt more iconic are as follows:

• Rob Roy MacGregor

Rob Roy Macgregor was a Scottish folk hero who became an iconic figure in Scottish culture and history. He was also known as the Scottish Robin Hood and was part of the Jacobite uprising. His stories are connected with Scottish culture and traditions which makes the Scottish traditional dress iconic and keeps the ancient tradition alive among the younger generation. 

• Sean Connery

 Sean Connery was a famous Scottish actor who was renowned for his character of James Bond in seven motion pictures. He was also popular due to his love for his native country and also for his support of Scottish independence. He mostly wore kilts during their official works and many people regarded him as one of the kilt wearers at that time. He widely showcases Scottish heritage which results in the adoption of kilts to a wider audience among the Scottish borders. 

Contemporary Influencers

Some of the people who make the kilt popular in the modern world through their performances and efforts are as follows: 

• Billy Connolly

Billy Connolly is a well-known retired Scottish comedian and TV actor who is famous for showing his support for Scottish culture and its rich traditions. He wore kilts during their performances and public appearances. His influence encouraged many to embrace the kilt, and people started wearing different types of kilts for men as a versatile and comfortable garment that is suitable to wear on a variety of occasions beyond its traditional significance. 

• Ewan McGregor

Ewan McGregor is one of the renowned Scottish actors who promoted the kilt as a fashionable and distinctive garment that offers unique style and provides comfort throughout the whole day. He proudly wore kilts at high-profile events and is still known for his roles in films such as "Trainspotting" and "Star Wars." He wore kilts as a means of honoring Scottish traditions and his frequent appearances in kilts have helped keep the tradition alive among younger generations. He also introduced the kilt to the global audience due to his performances around the globe and promoting Scottish culture around the world. 

Fashion and Design

In the contemporary world of fashion, some designers have made significant contributions to making the kilt a modern and fashionable garment. Some of them are listed as given: 

• Alexander McQueen

Alexander McQueen is a famous designer that is popular for his bold and innovative creations. He recently incorporated the kilts in his collection to make it a versatile garment and accessible for everyone who wants to look distinctive with fashionable attire. His influence shows that the kilt could be both a traditional symbol and a contemporary fashion statement.

• Jean Paul Gaultier

Jean Paul Gaultier is a French designer who was born in 1952 and is renowned for combining different genres, cultures, and materials. He helped popularize kilts by combining the traditional style of the kilt with modern materials. He introduced a wide collection of Scottish attire, mostly kilts in their collections which made the kilt more popular among fashion enthusiasts and resulted in the promotion of kilts and Scottish culture around the globe.

Conclusion

Kilt has a rich history and is completely steeped in traditions which makes it iconic. Initially, it was worn as a practical garment by the Highlanders but now it serves as a fashionable garment and an expression of Scottish history and culture. Most of the famous personalities wore kilts throughout history and played a significant role in the development of a kilt as an identity of Scottish traditions. From the historical figures to the fashion designers, each represents the historical traditions of Scotland and the significance of wearing kilts in their daily lives.