Highland Wear Explained

Depending on the outfit you chose there can be up to 25 separate items in a highland outfit. Highland outfits can be a once in a lifetime purchase therefore it is important the choices you make are based upon expert information coupled with the standards of quality that exceed the very best.

The Scottish Lion has been working with the finest manufacturing companies in Scotland and the very best in traditional and modern highlandwear for over 30 years and are proud to have served thousands of customers during that time.
See each section below for an understanding of all of the pieces we offer as part of our Highland Wear collection.

Kilt Outfit Packages

Purchase the entire kilt outfit for your wedding or other special event. See website for details as special offers will change on a regular basis.

Kilts

All of our kilts, whether wool or polyviscose, are made to the highest of standards.
Please see Kilts Explained Reference Document

Jackets

Made from the finest of materials, our Barathea wool jackets are manufactured to exacting standards to fit all sizes.
Black Argyll Jacket and 5 button Waistcoat: Our standard Argyll Jacket and waistcoat is made from, high quality 15oz black barathea wool, is tailored in the UK and is available from a 36" to a 60" chest in short, regular and long lengths.

Black Argyll Jacket: Our standard Argyll Jacket is made from, high quality 15oz black barathea wool, is tailored in the UK and is available from a 36" to a 60" chest in short, regular and long lengths.

Black Prince Charlie Jacket and 3 button Vest: Our Prince Charlie Jacket and Vest are tailored in the UK using the finest quality 15oz barathea wool cloth.

The stunning Wallace Jacket and Vest: can equaly be worn for formal and informal occasions. If you have any queries regarding the New Wallace Range please do not hesitate to contact us as we will be delighted to help. The Black Wallace jacket has shaded vertical stripes, no epaulettes, a single button cuff and antique metal buttons. The Charcoal Wallace jacket has no epaulettes, a single button cuff and horn buttons.

Sporrans

Our full range of sporrans: leather, semi-dress and dress sporrans, all of our sporrans come with chain-strap as standard.

Belts & Buckles

See Website for full range of celtic design belts and buckles.

Kilt Hose & Shoes (Ghillie Brogues)
Our full range of heavy wool kilt socks and our full range of leather and rubber soled gillie brogues, specificly designed to be worn with our kilt socks in comfort.

Kilt Pins & Cap Badges Sgian Dubhs & Dirks
The Sgian Dubh (from the Gaelic "black knife") is the ornamental knife traditionaly worn tucked into the top of the kilt sock.

Fly Plaids, Full Plaids & Brooches

A fly plaid is an added form of a pleated cloth in the same tartan as the kilt, cast over the left shoulder and fastened in front of the shoulder with a plaid brooch. It is commonly worn during the evening, particularly for formal activities and other special events, such as weddings, dining, and other celebrations.
It can be a square piece of fringed tartan cloth anywhere from 36"X 36" up to 50"X 50", with the most common size being 40"X40". It is used as a modern alternative to the more traditional small or "Drummers Plaid" which belts around the waist.

To wear the fly plaid, run the plaid through the left epaulet of the jacket, if it has them, so the corner comes to about the level of the left nipple. The broach should be the type with the standard pin on the back. The thick pin type is for the "full (piper's) plaid". It should be pinned through the jacket just below the left shoulder. The rest hangs down the back. The "drummer's plaid" is longer and tucked under the belt.
A full plaid is a long piece of tartan fabric, traditionally worn as part of a full highland dress uniform. It usually matches the tartan of the kilt. A full plaid is pleated the whole way, with half of its length sewn shut (so that the pleats cannot open). Its length is almost twice the height of the wearer (about twice the distance from the ground to the wearer's shoulder).

A full plaid is typically only seen on members of pipe bands which elect to wear full dress (military styled) uniforms, and occasionally as formal highland dress.

The full plaid is wrapped around the wearer's chest and under right arm, pulled firm to the body. The plaid is twisted on the left shoulder with one loose end falling behind the wearer's back and getting tucked into the waist belt. The leading edge of the other loose end is pulled forward and draped over the wearer's left shoulder.

Properly worn, the edge of the plaid should be level with top of left spat point at the rear of the leg, with fringe hanging down below this level. The lower edge of the plaid should be horizontal and parallel with the ground. The leading edge and front face of the plaid is secured by a brooch (often a cairngorm brooch) on the left shoulder.

To the lay person, it would appear as a sort of long, tartan, shoulder-cape.

Headwear – Glengarry or BalmoralGlengarry or Balmoral hats are available in several colours and are considered a special order item from Scotland. Please refer to website when placing an order or refer to a product specialist.

Rain Capes Made famous by Sherlock Holmes, the Inverness Cape is the rain protection garment of choice for pipe bands and other kilt wearers the world over.