The Great Kilt - Garden of the Gulf Museum

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For more information on the "Great Kilt" how to wear it and other kilts click on this video

Artefact History

This kilt belonged to Alexander M'Donald of Glenaladale, who we do know for a fact fought in the Battle of Culloden.  We have determined, the tartan itself is the ancient MacDonald Tartan of Glenaladale, dated to the early 16th century and that it was probably wore in the battle of Culloden.         

The history of the kilt stretches back to at least the end of the 16th century.  Although the kilt is an item of traditional Scottish highland dress, the nationalism of that tradition is relatively recent.  It was only with the Romantic Revival of the early 19th century that the highland kilt was adopted by lowlanders and the Scottish Diaspora as a symbol of national identity.  People from other countries with Celtic connections, some Irish, Cornish, Welsh and Manx, have also adopted tartan kilts in recent times, although to a lesser degree.  Similar clothing had long been abandoned by related cultures such as Gauls and Scandinavians. 

The kilt first appeared as the "great kilt", which was a full length garment whose upper half could be worn as a cloak draped over the shoulder, or brought up over head as a cloak.  The small kilt or walking kilt did not develop until the late 17th or early 18th century, and is essentially the bottom half of a great kilt.

The word kilt comes from the Scots word kilt meaning to tuck up the clothes around the body.