Something to think about with the wool Tom is that not many wools today are made the way that they were then, The wools of yesteryear would have had much more of the natural lanolin oils left in the fibers. Making them much more water resistant than most of todays Wools. Great video. I have been enjoying them all.
Cowichan natives of Canada make special, heavy knit sweaters of wool. Sometimes that sort of wool yarn and some other varieties are knit, ¨in the grease¨, meaning there is lots of lanolin for repelling water, etc.
Here's a very good documentary video about life on a Tudor farm which also contains how wool fabric was made back then. ruclips.net/video/v46lzPosC1g/видео.html The video starts at the exact point. If you just want to see the parts about fabric making, the next ones are at 41:50 and 45:20. Ruth and her fellows also have other series of living in different time periods, I find all of them very interesting and informative.
Och!!! You just called me an ass!!! Well so be it!!! Or should I be "triggered" and "words are violence" (and 'silence is violence' as well) - it's time to take to the hills - my safe place... but I need the right clothing...
You’ll love this, in Hawaii we call plaid as Palaka. We had many Scottish immigrate to our Kingdom so the design remained but the hot fabric did not. So everyone owns at least one Palaka Shirt, that are acceptable as formal wear to different Luau so that as well remained that you wear your best plaid to a party 🎉 😜
My wife is Samoan and they have a version if a kilt the name escapes me something like lavalava basically a really nice decorated sheet of fabric you wrap around yourself like a towel.
I personally like linen as a base layer under my woolens. It’s not very insulating, but it pulls moisture away from the body and dries much more quickly than cotton. I’ve worn some wools right against my skin that were quite comfortable, but my understanding is that those would have been more expensive historically. It seems like a more affordable option for a lower class person would be to wear relatively inexpensive linen against the skin and then layers of wool - the linen wicks and protects the skin from being irritated by rougher wool, and the wool provides the other three W’s. Depending on who and where said hypothetical person was, they might also have to deal with sumptuary laws and the like.
You answered your own question about footwear without knowing it. They made them from untanned hide with the hair intact, which offered increased warmth, but like your quote mentioned, made them smell terrible. "Moreover, wherfor they call us in Scotland Reddshankes, and in your Graces dominion of England, roghe footide Scottis, Pleas it your Majestie to understande, that we of all people can tollerat, suffir, and away best with colde, for boithe somer and wyntir, (excepte whene the froest is most vehemonte), goynge alwaies bair leggide and bair footide, our delite and pleasure is not onely in huntynge of redd deir, wolfes, foxes, and graies, whereof we abounde, and have greate plentie, but also in rynninge, leapinge, swymmynge, shootynge, and thrawinge of dartis: therfor, in so moche as we use and delite so. to go alwaies, the tendir delicatt gentillmen of Scotland call us Redshankes. And agayne in wynter, whene the froest is mooste vehement (as I have saide) which we can not suffir bair footide, so weill as snow, whiche can never hurt us whene it cummes to our girdills, we go a huntynge, and after that we have slayne redd deir, we flaye of the skyne, bey and bey, and settinge of our bair foote on the insyde thereof, for neide of cunnyge shoemakers, by your Graces pardon, we play the sutters; compasinge and measuringe so moche thereof, as shall retche up to our ancklers pryckynge the uppir part thereof also with holis, that the water may repass when it entres, and stretchide up with a stronge thwange of the same, meitand above our saide ancklers, so, and pleas your noble Grace, we make our shoois: Therfor, we usinge such maner of shoois, the roghe hairie syde outwart, in your Graces dominion of England, we be callit roghe footide Scottis; which manner of schoois (and pleas your Highnes) in Latyn be callit perones, wherof the poet Virgil makis mencioun, saying, That the olde auncient Latyns in tyine of wars uside suche maner of schoos. And aithoughe a greate sorte of us Reddshankes go after this maner in our countrethe, yeit never the les, and pleas your Grace, whene we come to the courte (the Kinges grace our greate master being alyve) waitinge on our Lordes and maisters, who also, for velvetis and silkis be right well araide, we have as good garmentis as some of our fellowis whiche gyve attendance in the court every daye."-John Elder, 1543
Something I have wanted to do for a long time is to go hiking along a well traveled patch, like "kungsleden" in Sweden, of course dressed as a Viking, Highlander or maybe a trapper. Especially in august when there are many European tourists. Just to see the looks in peoples faces ;)
During a re-enactment event me and a bunch of my mates turned up at a shopping centre dressed as Roman legionaries. You should have seen the looks on their faces. Lol.
@@brentthekiwi5798 Wow. I tried on a real chain mail shirt at a re-enactment once. Incredibly heavy. Could barely stand up in it. I hope your gear was lighter. Sounds like great fun though.
@@FurnitureFan , it is. Now try riveted mail. Five eighths the weight, as a rule, because you use thinner wire, about 1mm/18 gauge. You still get that "weighs like a backpack, clings like a sweater" feel. Just more reasonable.
Interesting and informative, and great to hear a Scots accent on Yt. Dunno about dipping my plaid in a burn, though - you're a braver man than me, Tom :-D All power to ye.
Really love this series Tom. As an American of Highland decent, seeing how my ancestors wore certain clothing in the 1600's is really interesting. Great vids. Cheers! DonP
Tom, I have to ask: where did you get that Jacket? I have scoured your sites and the intertubes and cannot find it. Is it possible to get some info from you on it?
Another fine video; thanks! People were much more hardy than now and so it leads us to look for more Highland garments than there were. They were tough and in the weather almost continually! Great Kilt (fheileadh mhor) or trews. Long shirts, lower leg wraps and wool hose, (sometimes without the foot part) rough brogues, neck scarf and bonnet, etc. Not a few went barefoot, even in the winter, which we can hardly imagine. Hardy, hardy folk! As you know, one has to differentiate between the location within the Highlands, Highlander and Lowlander, Highlander and Islander; very different influences! Leather garments and some fur collars, etc., were worn. I have seen two Highland leather westkits, one of deerskin and one of sheepskin, finely made from the 17th Cent. There's a reason when countries and enterprises need tough men and women, they came to the Highlands!
A good way to make shoes warmer is to fill them with straw. I've heard of it being stuffed into boots in the Baltic region in Medieval period (don't know sources though) and a guy called Petr Hlaváček recreated the boots of Otzi mummy and did some experimental hiking. It provides a lot of air pockets and dries quickly. Probably not too comfortable though.
It was also used in France (and all western Europe, I guess) in the medieval period. They used wooden shoes "sabots" filled with straw. In rural environment, they did it until the 1950's or something like that. :)
In Poland we have phrase about somebody " the straw protudes from shoes". Thats mean that he want to be gentleman or sth like that, but after all remains rustic.
I'm not sure why you think linen wouldn't be a good base layer. It's easier to keep clean than wool. It is the best wicking material made. Removing moisture from your skin when you sweat, which happens when you warm up on a hike with woolen outlayers. It's also a long staple fiber, making it both strong and durable.
Tom, I think the one factor that you might need to take into account with regards to waterproofing and wool is grease from animal fats. The use of tallow to waterproof leather and wool was pretty common, much less the casual greasiness in the average crofters house from the constant use of smoky tallow tapers or candles, grease in the air from open cooking hearths and human skin oils, oils from contact with the fur of dogs and cattle and the like. In this video you look pretty neat and tidy and no doubt your clothes don't reek of years of unwashed greasiness but that would have been the reality. And clothes were constantly being recycled or passed along or re-made so someone might well be wearing their grandfather's much patched and mended old jacket or shirt long after the original owner was dead. And as for bare legs - I remember in Barbados the stories of Scottish prisoners of war (as we would call them) being shipped over to work as slaves in the cane fields after the Jacobite rebellion and they arrived bare legged. The black slaves mocked them for being almost half dead from severe sunburns on their bare legs and arms. And then applying fat to your skin is a great way to prevent insect bites and reduce sunburn, as North American Indians used to do, and I wouldn't be surprised if the Highlanders didn't do something similar as well, which as they didn't bathe, would have built up a protective layer over a person's life.
Ah interesting thank you. Good point about the grease and oil from everyday life. Not sure I'm ready to get myself deleiberatly that filthy though! Haha
@@FandabiDozi Tom, after I wrote my comment I was thinking about how even in the 70's here in Canada animal grease was still part of our lives. Mink oil for winter leather boots, lard or tallow based waterproofing products for boots and (this I remember clearly) for greasing the metal runners of a winter sleigh. My grandfather said in the Depression a big jar of bacon fat was always in the larder for whatever squeaked in the house or for chapped lips. But that could be your next video... Highland Personal Hygiene (or Why I Had to Live in the Glen by Myself for Six Months).
What is that grey jacket called? I'm about to get a great kilt, and am trying to find ways to dress it up without looking like a stereotypical American moron XD. What you are wearing looks like it could be warn to church, and in this modern era, be seen as quite dapper. I simply can't find that jacket style anyway, most likely because I don't know what it's called. So if you could help a brother out, or make a video dedicated to your vests, jackets, and shirts giving resources and possible purchasing locations, that would be amazing. Anyway, keep up the Fan-dabi-dozie work and God bless.
I used to have a suit of "speckled" tweed .... Handwoven Donegal Tweed - it was greenish with red yellow and blue speckles - bit like a fishing fly .... it was more loosely woven than industrial weave so was warm with the trapped air..... Hand woven might be worth trying if you can get a length for a plaid mór . My mother also knitted me a raw-woolen sweater - it becomes like felt after a while and wind proof .... except lanolin when wet with rain or sweat smells like sheep - some like it but others find it very agricultural ? ..... The Sami ( Lapps) use hay in their reindeer skin boots to keep warm in winter ..... .... I remember seeing some place that in WW I the most requested item by Scottish soldiers at the front was "tights " ..... Keep up the good work .....
"Breacan" also means "variegated pattern"! Gàidhlig is still used today & you don't need to speak in the past tense when you're talking about the language :+)
Also they fleece quality then didn't include the softness against the skin that we now have with fine micron Merino and also alpaca. Most cold climate sheep then had coarser more scratchy itch quality than we would wish for now.
A note on the 'cow skin shoes' The Sami people in Northern Scandinavia would made shoes out of Reindeer pelts. The hair being on the outside. The reason being the insulating properties stop the cold penetrating to the foot but also the fact the hair prevented slipping in ice and snow. Ray Mears touches on it here. ruclips.net/video/2WdSJCe_cNs/видео.html The bad smell part might have something to do with covering the 'man smell' when hunting.
I love watching, it reminds me of my youth, camping, minimal equipment, (poor) plus I was trying to emulate frontiersmen and Natives! Plus I learn from you, different ideas approaches! Thanks for doing the bids!
I'm sure you're going to have a good following. I'm already in the process of getting some items. I've always had a great interest in the colonial era so I've ordered some tartan, not as cheap as you got it. I just paid a small fortune for my clan tartan but I'm going to follow suite and get a Mackenzie cap badge. I'm looking forward to getting out and doing some bush crafting in my great kilt. Just wondering if you had a Facebook account or email you'd share? Look forward to hearing from you.
I think the highlanders could've worn the wraps he has in a foot of snow, maybe put 2 on each foot. I went snowboarding yesterday and decided not to wear my shoes for about an hour in 6 inches of icy snow, and while this may be because I often do go barefoot, I think if I had a pair of wraps for my feet I would've been fine. (As is it was legitimately painful and I may have got very slight frostbite because my feet tingled for about 3 hours)
@@FandabiDozi Love the videos and the enthusiasm, keep it up! :) I was wondering about breacan myself. Interesting word with an indo-european route I was taught at uni, despite wikipedia attributing it to old English. Brístí is Irish for trousers. Similarly, I'm just learning now (thanks Google) briogais is the Scots Gaelic. All related I think. Check out the etymology of breeches / britches on wikipedia if you're interested. www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=13&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwjok7iSsObfAhWcSxUIHcPWCy4QFjAMegQICxAB&url=https%3A%2F%2Fen.wikipedia.org%2Fwiki%2FBreeches&usg=AOvVaw1PbSLJTzMa7ktjXa-cFII9
It makes sense wealthier men would have had the plaid leggings. To get a tight fit with woven wool fabric the pants would have been cut on the bias (as in the painting shown) this would have used more yardage and more waste. The whole point of the kilt is that the entire bolt of fabric is used, and could be adjusted due to weight gain or passed onto family members. Only the wealthy could be able to afford to cut their bolt through the diagonal.
Most people don't know or tend to forget that it's because of the latitude. If Seattle was in Europe it would be just south of Germany. Also, there wouldn't be as many hipsters. Just kidding, love Seattle. I am in the very southwest of Germany, and we are still 48° latitude, Seattle is 47°. Edinburgh is 55° latitude, winters will be really dark with short days there. But also quite mild, we have harder frosts than they have in most parts.
Oh this was a nice way to wake up😊🍵 Thank you~ I think those leather shoes are really interesting. They must be much healthier then the ones we wear now for the every day life (as worker shoes they won't be too good of course).
@Mac Kent You made them yourself?! That's cool😀 I have only seen those in shops who sell middle age themed stuff; but those are not only extremely expensive but also seem more for costume purpose then for actual use... and in arabic shops; because they wear a kind of leather socks traditionally. But those won't work in winter. Since I live in a city and did run around bare footed in summers when I was a teen (also in shops, trains etc I just didn't use shoes no matter where I went. Only toe socks sometimes where the toes where open), I experienced how quickly one can get hurt in a city, since people throw bottles and other dangerous or disgusting stuff at the ground, so it's suddenly very important to watch where you go... Is it different with your kind of shoes? Or do you experience the same problems? Thank you for your input btw🌸
mucklucs worn by the innuit are a kind of beefed up moccasin that are very light but also warm, since form often follows function I could imagine a highlander wearing something similar in winter, btw I was told over 40yrs ago that the distinction was a kilt was just the short phillabeg from waist to knee, and the full garment was a kilted plaid(pronounced plad)
seanthomasdowd having spent the last twenty years tromping over a good part of the globe while wearing a kilt and performing in pipe bands along side such other bands as the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards and the Scots Guards, I can say with some authority that there is one way to say the name of that garment. Plaid (plad) is the pattern on a bush jacket worn by lumberjacks, a plaid (played) is either a separate garment worn with a kilt in modern times, as in a pipers plaid, fly plaid or belted plaid or the historical garment as worn in these videos.
Great channel with lots of very interesting and useful information. Do you think we could be organising each year a walk in Scottish Highlands for the purpose of exchange information and experience on traditional ways of life in different parts of the world? One condition: NO (or at least as possible) CONTEMPORARY CLOTHES AND EQUIPMENT (except emergency back-up).
That would be pretty Cool! Definitely a possibility for the future. I am working towards doing something like that one day. They main thing would be footwear. Unless you have worn simple leather shoes all your life people may break a angle easily, but possible with the clothing etc. And as you said some emergency gear too :)
i love that you made ayoutube channel about this.. i love the 15, 16, 17, 18 and 19 century it really is addictivly fascinating. i love 17 and 18 century books. its intriguing to think about how somthing as simple as a article of clothing, to a good ax / hatchet could be worth allot compared to today.
Huge fan of your channel man. Huge fan of Scotland wilderness and highlanders in general. From the states but I’m a giant researcher of Gaelic culture particularly the warrior culture and their connection to the land it’s my favorite research topic. Anyways would love your input on where I could obtain a hiking staff that highlanders actually used at least the style of it. As well as you should get together with the Pace Brothers they are big time wilderness people and talk a lot on the rewilding of Scotland on their podcast. Not sure if you’ve met them or not.
Thanks man! I talk about where to buy stuff in my QnA video. But I think the link to the plaid has expired. Sorry about that. No I havnt actually. Are the based in Scotland? I will check them out
I ended up finding the QnA video right after I commented not sure how I missed that one. Yes they are based in Scotland they are more into expedition hunting and conservation issues. You should check them out though. Not sure if you hunt or not but I’ll put a link to their “Into The Wilderness” series. ruclips.net/p/PLTJgjFl5syzeqaB4UIvLjjCAevOhw9sgD
Also one more question where would you say the wildest place in Scotland is? As far as wilderness and wildlife, Skye? My wife and I are planning a backpacking vacation in Scotland one of these years and we want to hike and camp through some of the more wilderness places.
VERY informative!!!! You make an excellent teacher!!!! Thank you most graciously for all your hard research in finding answers to subscribers questions!!! LOVE your videos!!!! So happy I found your channel!!!!!
I enjoy your videos. I was returning to one of your earlier ones and found this. I wanted to ask about severe cold weather which I believe Scotland can have. After three months of living through local temperatures around -12 C, with no relief in sight, I dug out my extra snow suits today and thought of you! (I can help being a bit depressed when this severe weather drags into ¨spring¨. One of my vehicles is actually frozen to the ground and cannot be driven.) I cannot imagine Scottish men so lightly dressed in extremely bad weather. For instance, what would men have worn in the stormy and cold northern islands? Would that have been different that the plaid and kilt, etc.? In the 17th century the northern hemisphere was said to still be in a ´mini ice age´. Some sources claim that the many heavy layers worn, for instance by the Tudor court was due to the severe cold. I liken those costumes, the weight and warmth, to what I put on my bed. For millennia it was customary to wear linen undergarments next to the skin because these garments absorbed perspiration and body fluids and could be changed frequently. Outer garments frequently could not be, or were not washed. For instance, standard female attire was, linen chemise, petticoat, kirtle, gown and/or possibly a coat. Bloomers, knickers, etc. were not worn by either sex. So much for wondering what is under a manś kilt. For the times, no one had that kind of under garment. I have not studied male attire that much but there was a similar sequencing for males in the middle ages. An appropriate crotch was not invented for ´hose´ for quite some time so as you say, long stockings, sewn from woven fabric, not knitted, were tied to a belt. (Interestingly the curved crotch seam which makes trousers comfortable is a fairly new invention. Still today in some Middle Eastern and Asian countries, women who sew their own garments create wide, loose trousers by sewing legs onto something resembling a miniskirt. I took a highland dance class and the instructor said the Highland Fling was a political statement of defiance. It is said to be about shedding and kicking off ´trews´ that the English enforced on Scotsmen as some point. Wearing of the kilt is supposed to equal national identity and freedom. The dance was traditionally done by men, according to the instructor. There is a comment somewhere about the young Mary Queen of Scots when she was a girl in France. It said her native costume was a collection of skins, and wild furs. This was written by a French person and I think it must have been exaggerated. With the internet I have searched in vain for any example of such a Scottish costume on anyone at any date. (I do not remember where I read the description but it was one of the acclaimed biographies of Mary.) I know people were tougher in the old days. Native Americans, for instance, lived in cold temperatures with garments we would find inadequate. They seemed to adapt quickly to the European blankets. (This was a forerunner of the famous Pendleton blankets, made near where I live.) People all over the world 400 years ago were used to more cold than we can stand today. That said, I wonder if the costume demonstrated in these videos would have been worn by people having to work or travel long distances in vicious cold? Imagine mucking out the barn and feeding the stock in the plaid with thin shoes. Shoes have long been a problem. We are so fortunate to live in an age when footwear is sturdy and readily available! Very long leather boots were sometimes worn but I do not know what class wore them. I think I will link a picture in another short post. My heritage is Russian and people there wore more substantial clothing as did the Vikings. Did the Scots felt any of the wool? For instance Russians have long made felt boots or boot liners called ´valenki´.
Thanks for all the info :D I have thought a lot about these sort of things and have not yet found very clear answers. It has been proven that people who grew up in colder conditions have higher densities of "brown fat" in their body, helping them insulate themselves better. So no doubt people in the Highlands were very tough, but then some stories sound exaggerated :) thanks again for sharing
Your series is really well done. I enjoy learning about bush craft techniques. Your way of sharing the historical Highlands version is engaging and educational.
I have a link in my QnA video, but I think the shop is out of stoke. You just need to look for a long piece of wool fabric. So need to shoo around at fabric stores or maybe kilt makers before they sow them into modern kilts?
Regarding the wearing of furs, wouldn't it have invited accusations of poaching from the landowners? The title holders to the lands also claimed ownership of the wildlife.
Well done. Some interesting videos, which gives one some appreciation of our ancestors possible lifestyle. However, they probably didn't have the use of Dachstein mitts! :o) Thank you.
If the Highlanders were anything like their relatives the Redshanks in Ireland, then they wore nothing on their legs. Even still went barefoot in winter.
@@badgoy8439 it takes practice. Nowadays most bodies are kind of spoiled... Wim Hof is very active in this field and teaches others. He swims in artic water and climbs snowy mountains in just swimming shorts.
Yes but he is only out in the cold for relatively short periods with a good diet, and no amount of adrenal training will stop your knee fluid from crystallising and causing damage or your toes losing circulation. Also, you’ll be burning thousands more calories than you would in insulated clothes, so you’d become skinnier and colder and weaker
@@tseuren123 But most prehistoric people would have stocked up for winter and stayed in. Animals hibernate and grow white fur, so they wouldn't last long trying to hunt them in winter.
About the word "kjalta". In Denmark, Western Jutland, we have a old word for bad looking clothe, its: "Pjalter", which could be, depending on how you pronounce it, be the more "modern" word for kjalta. The word "pjalter" is used about cloth that is in a bad state, got holes in it or is very worn. Many old words have lost their original meaning or have a complete opposite meaning today.
Great idea about the woolen long underwear...I would myself put woolen socks up over the bottom half and hold them up w/garters and tabs matching the kilt, for a bit more flair...and warmth!
Could the Highlanders have used either a wax or oil treatment on their plaids. Since the original Western (American) duster was an oiled treated canvas or deer skin (which lent credence that you could smell the Mountain Men before you saw them).
I haven't found any evidence of it. But the plaids my have still contained the natural oil from the sheep as well as everyday grime that could have increased water resistance. Thanks for watching
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Well from what I understand “Feilidh mor” is just “big kilt”, simply “feilidh” refers to a modern kilt so it’s the same kind of relationship and “kilt vs great kilt” in English. Not fluent or a native speaker but that’s my knowledge on it.
We’d all ready made animals extinct by the 17th century? I’m curious as to which animals those would be. In the 17th century firearms were single shot and for most of the century not very powerful. The whaling industry was in it’s infancy and ships were not yet as fast and effcieint as they would become in the next 100 years. Hmm, as I said, I’m curious as tot he provennce of that comment. In the main I am agreat admirer of Tom but Vincit Omnia Veritas.
It wouldn't be historically accurate, albeit not utterly ridiculous, but have you ever considered using a pakol (Afghan hat) instead of a bonnet? I think the pakol is superior for use. Arguably, they could have been acquired at the time... Unlikely, but not impossible.
Going barefoot in winter? Wouldn't surprise me! Have Highland heritage myself, (mother's maiden name was a Higgs), and my son is a big, burly, barrel-chested guy who goes barefoot in 20 degree weather! The boy has always hated shoes, ever since he was little. Lol!
I love your highlander series videos. Your attention to detail is very impressive. Can you share where you get parts of your kit from ? I realize you make most of it. I'm trying to find a correct sewing pattern for the outer jacket and bonnet for 17th century and early 18th. Any help would be appreciated mate. Cheers
What about woolen jacket, its typicall patern for 17th century in Highlands? Could you tell something more about this upper piece of clothes? I really like it but I can't find something more about that.
So, you've talked about the trews and the kilts, but can you clear soMething up for me? Are you saying that sometimes they'd be worn together, or always just one or the other?
Hello folks, can anyone tell me where I can buy a jacket like this? As I am not from Scotland or England and do not know what this green jacket is called. Thank you very much in advance.
Why was hides or animal skins such as deer or cow not as prevalent in Scotland? In North American, buckskin and leather clothing were worn by those who live on the frontiers such as trappers and mountain men. Animal skins are waterproof, very efficient windbreakers, and very good at retaining body heat - you don't see a cow needing an overcoat do you? I use to have a buckskin coat and it outlasted my other modern day winter coats. Sadly, the company that made the buckskin coat went out of business more than 30 years ago.
I can't help thinking that those tough Scottish ancestors were fairly used to "brisk" weather, and since it's easier to dry off and warm up bare feet than to dry out boots and socks, I'd bet good money that in wet weather they carried their shoes and went barelegged as much as possible, for short stints outdoors. Once one is in shelter or making camp, one can then dry off those chilly wet feet and get'em in some warm dry stockings and shoes for the night. Of course, it would only work for a short time, and above a certain temp, but I betcha folks went barefoot a LOT back then. Makes ya tough.
There's tales of Voyagers dipping their mittens in the river as they paddle canoe, so the mitts will freeze and keep the wind out. Our horses prefer to be covered with snow layer outside and stay warm under it rather than be in the barn where they have free access all the time. When its bitter without snow we do make them wear coats to block the wind. Their choice to be outside rain or snow. I'll wear my heavy winter coat and sweater and boots and long socks and mits and scarf and cap even if I look like a haystack with eyes. I don't strip fleece for spinning and weaving unless I'm going to dye it. I love the lanolin smell. )).. spun and wove a great kilt in exchange for clarsaich. Both of us happy. )))
Hi good channel ' i think you should get your sister on to talk authentically about the Gallic words and English equivalent ' to help understand our language ' i think a interview with her would be brilliant.
@Mac Kent Hi Mac. Seems like you are knowledgeable about this stuff. Is it okay if you message me through my FB and share some links and resources please? Always looking to learn more. Thanks
Brilliant video, very informative! I'm struggling to find a good wool jacket to go with my great kilt. Can i ask, where did you get yours? Could please post a link? Thanks in advance
In Florida when a sudden freeze comes, they will hose the oranges down with water. The water will freeze and insulate the orange inside. Otherwise, the freeze would destroy the oranges. So ya never know about freezing their wool....
I really like your videos and you seem to walk all over the countryside. Do you have to get permission from the landowner to hike on their land? Here in the US, landowners get pretty teste about people being on their land. They don't want folks even walking through the forest or anywhere over their fences.
Found this shop online while searching for a place to get linsey-woosey, a blended fabric made with wool and linen that was used by sailors due to its ability to dry quickly and still keep them warm. They appear to have other types of woolen authentic style historical textiles also. periodfabric.com/
If you look at highland regiments, at least in Canada, enlisted men wear kilts and officers generally wear the plaid trousers. Might this not suggest it was a bit of a class thing originally? Or is that more something the English would have introduced to differentiate the class or rank of individuals?
I like your video's refreshing no product reviews . On the clothing I think its the animal skin that wins the clothing war it has kept our tribes warm since the beginning of time also has done a very good job of protecting our animals it's hard to argue skins rule . At 75 years old Ivam still wearing my grand fathers sheep skin vest .
Hiya please would you consider doing a video on some of the historic sites near you in Scotland? I don't mean the large well known ones but smaller stone circles, standing stones, brochs etc stuff like that
I'm more than sure that Scottish immigrants and especially mercenaries in XVII century central and eastern Europe wore preferred wearing tartan trousers
You look up hat the Celtic people did when they migrated to cold places and seen what they wore and brought I know a lot of mountain men were from Ireland and Scotland
Something to think about with the wool Tom is that not many wools today are made the way that they were then, The wools of yesteryear would have had much more of the natural lanolin oils left in the fibers. Making them much more water resistant than most of todays Wools. Great video. I have been enjoying them all.
Good point yeah. People brought that up in my kilt tent video. I should mention it next time. Thanks again :)
ooh, excellent point!
Cowichan natives of Canada make special, heavy knit sweaters of wool. Sometimes that sort of wool yarn and some other varieties are knit, ¨in the grease¨, meaning there is lots of lanolin for repelling water, etc.
Here's a very good documentary video about life on a Tudor farm which also contains how wool fabric was made back then.
ruclips.net/video/v46lzPosC1g/видео.html
The video starts at the exact point. If you just want to see the parts about fabric making, the next ones are at 41:50 and 45:20.
Ruth and her fellows also have other series of living in different time periods, I find all of them very interesting and informative.
@@AeonSaint the historical farm series is unbelievably good
It takes a special kind of ass to thumbs down a video like this.
Great work man.
Och!!! You just called me an ass!!! Well so be it!!! Or should I be "triggered" and "words are violence" (and 'silence is violence' as well) - it's time to take to the hills - my safe place... but I need the right clothing...
@@hariseldon3786 ,weel, if you trigger a wheel lock pistol, aye it goes _tzing-phhBAM_ for the violence... 😉
@@w.reidripley1968 😁
You’ll love this, in Hawaii we call plaid as Palaka. We had many Scottish immigrate to our Kingdom so the design remained but the hot fabric did not. So everyone owns at least one Palaka Shirt, that are acceptable as formal wear to different Luau so that as well remained that you wear your best plaid to a party 🎉 😜
Haha! Amazing! Thanks for sharing!
My wife is Samoan and they have a version if a kilt the name escapes me something like lavalava basically a really nice decorated sheet of fabric you wrap around yourself like a towel.
I personally like linen as a base layer under my woolens. It’s not very insulating, but it pulls moisture away from the body and dries much more quickly than cotton. I’ve worn some wools right against my skin that were quite comfortable, but my understanding is that those would have been more expensive historically. It seems like a more affordable option for a lower class person would be to wear relatively inexpensive linen against the skin and then layers of wool - the linen wicks and protects the skin from being irritated by rougher wool, and the wool provides the other three W’s. Depending on who and where said hypothetical person was, they might also have to deal with sumptuary laws and the like.
These videos are fascinating! It's obvious you're doing your due diligence with the research, thank you for doing this!
You answered your own question about footwear without knowing it.
They made them from untanned hide with the hair intact, which offered increased warmth, but like your quote mentioned, made them smell terrible.
"Moreover, wherfor they call us in Scotland Reddshankes, and in your Graces dominion of England, roghe footide Scottis, Pleas it your Majestie to understande, that we of all people can tollerat, suffir, and away best with colde, for boithe somer and wyntir, (excepte whene the froest is most vehemonte), goynge alwaies bair leggide and bair footide, our delite and pleasure is not onely in huntynge of redd deir, wolfes, foxes, and graies, whereof we abounde, and have greate plentie, but also in rynninge, leapinge, swymmynge, shootynge, and thrawinge of dartis: therfor, in so moche as we use and delite so. to go alwaies, the tendir delicatt gentillmen of Scotland call us Redshankes. And agayne in wynter, whene the froest is mooste vehement (as I have saide) which we can not suffir bair footide, so weill as snow, whiche can never hurt us whene it cummes to our girdills, we go a huntynge, and after that we have slayne redd deir, we flaye of the skyne, bey and bey, and settinge of our bair foote on the insyde thereof, for neide of cunnyge shoemakers, by your Graces pardon, we play the sutters; compasinge and measuringe so moche thereof, as shall retche up to our ancklers pryckynge the uppir part thereof also with holis, that the water may repass when it entres, and stretchide up with a stronge thwange of the same, meitand above our saide ancklers, so, and pleas your noble Grace, we make our shoois: Therfor, we usinge such maner of shoois, the roghe hairie syde outwart, in your Graces dominion of England, we be callit roghe footide Scottis; which manner of schoois (and pleas your Highnes) in Latyn be callit perones, wherof the poet Virgil makis mencioun, saying, That the olde auncient Latyns in tyine of wars uside suche maner of schoos. And aithoughe a greate sorte of us Reddshankes go after this maner in our countrethe, yeit never the les, and pleas your Grace, whene we come to the courte (the Kinges grace our greate master being alyve) waitinge on our Lordes and maisters, who also, for velvetis and silkis be right well araide, we have as good garmentis as some of our fellowis whiche gyve attendance in the court every daye."-John Elder, 1543
Something I have wanted to do for a long time is to go hiking along a well traveled patch, like "kungsleden" in Sweden, of course dressed as a Viking, Highlander or maybe a trapper. Especially in august when there are many European tourists. Just to see the looks in peoples faces ;)
You should do it. Others have done similar things with other historical clothing.
During a re-enactment event me and a bunch of my mates turned up at a shopping centre dressed as Roman legionaries. You should have seen the looks on their faces. Lol.
Do it, people would love that. You should get a whole group together.
@@brentthekiwi5798 Wow. I tried on a real chain mail shirt at a re-enactment once. Incredibly heavy. Could barely stand up in it. I hope your gear was lighter. Sounds like great fun though.
@@FurnitureFan , it is. Now try riveted mail. Five eighths the weight, as a rule, because you use thinner wire, about 1mm/18 gauge.
You still get that "weighs like a backpack, clings like a sweater" feel. Just more reasonable.
Interesting and informative, and great to hear a Scots accent on Yt. Dunno about dipping my plaid in a burn, though - you're a braver man than me, Tom :-D All power to ye.
Really love this series Tom. As an American of Highland decent, seeing how my ancestors wore certain clothing in the 1600's is really interesting. Great vids. Cheers! DonP
Tom, I have to ask: where did you get that Jacket? I have scoured your sites and the intertubes and cannot find it. Is it possible to get some info from you on it?
Your videos are always very interesting and informative without claiming absolute expertise and this is very refreshing. Good work and thank you.
Another fine video; thanks! People were much more hardy than now and so it leads us to look for more Highland garments than there were. They were tough and in the weather almost continually! Great Kilt (fheileadh mhor) or trews. Long shirts, lower leg wraps and wool hose, (sometimes without the foot part) rough brogues, neck scarf and bonnet, etc. Not a few went barefoot, even in the winter, which we can hardly imagine. Hardy, hardy folk! As you know, one has to differentiate between the location within the Highlands, Highlander and Lowlander, Highlander and Islander; very different influences! Leather garments and some fur collars, etc., were worn. I have seen two Highland leather westkits, one of deerskin and one of sheepskin, finely made from the 17th Cent. There's a reason when countries and enterprises need tough men and women, they came to the Highlands!
Thankyou for sharing you knowledge.
A good way to make shoes warmer is to fill them with straw. I've heard of it being stuffed into boots in the Baltic region in Medieval period (don't know sources though) and a guy called Petr Hlaváček recreated the boots of Otzi mummy and did some experimental hiking.
It provides a lot of air pockets and dries quickly. Probably not too comfortable though.
Cool! Thanks i will try that out :)
The sami people in north of scandinavia still do that today, they harvest it in the autumn and say its much better than woolen socks or whatnot.
It was also used in France (and all western Europe, I guess) in the medieval period. They used wooden shoes "sabots" filled with straw. In rural environment, they did it until the 1950's or something like that. :)
In Poland we have phrase about somebody " the straw protudes from shoes". Thats mean that he want to be gentleman or sth like that, but after all remains rustic.
Oh hell no id rather lose my feet then purposefully put hay in my shoes
I'm not sure why you think linen wouldn't be a good base layer. It's easier to keep clean than wool. It is the best wicking material made. Removing moisture from your skin when you sweat, which happens when you warm up on a hike with woolen outlayers. It's also a long staple fiber, making it both strong and durable.
Cotton kills in wet climates. Draws the heat right out of you leading to hypothermia.
@@johnstack4316 Linen is not cotton?
Tom, I think the one factor that you might need to take into account with regards to waterproofing and wool is grease from animal fats. The use of tallow to waterproof leather and wool was pretty common, much less the casual greasiness in the average crofters house from the constant use of smoky tallow tapers or candles, grease in the air from open cooking hearths and human skin oils, oils from contact with the fur of dogs and cattle and the like. In this video you look pretty neat and tidy and no doubt your clothes don't reek of years of unwashed greasiness but that would have been the reality. And clothes were constantly being recycled or passed along or re-made so someone might well be wearing their grandfather's much patched and mended old jacket or shirt long after the original owner was dead. And as for bare legs - I remember in Barbados the stories of Scottish prisoners of war (as we would call them) being shipped over to work as slaves in the cane fields after the Jacobite rebellion and they arrived bare legged. The black slaves mocked them for being almost half dead from severe sunburns on their bare legs and arms. And then applying fat to your skin is a great way to prevent insect bites and reduce sunburn, as North American Indians used to do, and I wouldn't be surprised if the Highlanders didn't do something similar as well, which as they didn't bathe, would have built up a protective layer over a person's life.
Ah interesting thank you. Good point about the grease and oil from everyday life. Not sure I'm ready to get myself deleiberatly that filthy though! Haha
@@FandabiDozi Tom, after I wrote my comment I was thinking about how even in the 70's here in Canada animal grease was still part of our lives. Mink oil for winter leather boots, lard or tallow based waterproofing products for boots and (this I remember clearly) for greasing the metal runners of a winter sleigh. My grandfather said in the Depression a big jar of bacon fat was always in the larder for whatever squeaked in the house or for chapped lips. But that could be your next video... Highland Personal Hygiene (or Why I Had to Live in the Glen by Myself for Six Months).
What is that grey jacket called? I'm about to get a great kilt, and am trying to find ways to dress it up without looking like a stereotypical American moron XD. What you are wearing looks like it could be warn to church, and in this modern era, be seen as quite dapper. I simply can't find that jacket style anyway, most likely because I don't know what it's called. So if you could help a brother out, or make a video dedicated to your vests, jackets, and shirts giving resources and possible purchasing locations, that would be amazing.
Anyway, keep up the Fan-dabi-dozie work and God bless.
Your videos just keep getting better and better all the time. I always look forward to watching.
Thanks very much :) I have been trying to put more effort into them this year :)
I used to have a suit of "speckled" tweed .... Handwoven Donegal Tweed - it was greenish with red yellow and blue speckles - bit like a fishing fly .... it was more loosely woven than industrial weave so was warm with the trapped air..... Hand woven might be worth trying if you can get a length for a plaid mór . My mother also knitted me a raw-woolen sweater - it becomes like felt after a while and wind proof .... except lanolin when wet with rain or sweat smells like sheep - some like it but others find it very agricultural ? ..... The Sami ( Lapps) use hay in their reindeer skin boots to keep warm in winter ..... .... I remember seeing some place that in WW I the most requested item by Scottish soldiers at the front was "tights " ..... Keep up the good work .....
"Breacan" also means "variegated pattern"! Gàidhlig is still used today & you don't need to speak in the past tense when you're talking about the language :+)
Tha sin fìor gu dearbh
Also they fleece quality then didn't include the softness against the skin that we now have with fine micron Merino and also alpaca. Most cold climate sheep then had coarser more scratchy itch quality than we would wish for now.
A note on the 'cow skin shoes' The Sami people in Northern Scandinavia would made shoes out of Reindeer pelts. The hair being on the outside. The reason being the insulating properties stop the cold penetrating to the foot but also the fact the hair prevented slipping in ice and snow. Ray Mears touches on it here. ruclips.net/video/2WdSJCe_cNs/видео.html The bad smell part might have something to do with covering the 'man smell' when hunting.
I love watching, it reminds me of my youth, camping, minimal equipment, (poor) plus I was trying to emulate frontiersmen and Natives! Plus I learn from you, different ideas approaches! Thanks for doing the bids!
I'm sure you're going to have a good following. I'm already in the process of getting some items. I've always had a great interest in the colonial era so I've ordered some tartan, not as cheap as you got it. I just paid a small fortune for my clan tartan but I'm going to follow suite and get a Mackenzie cap badge. I'm looking forward to getting out and doing some bush crafting in my great kilt. Just wondering if you had a Facebook account or email you'd share? Look forward to hearing from you.
I think the highlanders could've worn the wraps he has in a foot of snow, maybe put 2 on each foot. I went snowboarding yesterday and decided not to wear my shoes for about an hour in 6 inches of icy snow, and while this may be because I often do go barefoot, I think if I had a pair of wraps for my feet I would've been fine. (As is it was legitimately painful and I may have got very slight frostbite because my feet tingled for about 3 hours)
Brek en fail - breacan feile (this is how Geoffrey Taylor the kilt maker in Edinburgh pronounced it)
Another way? Ah my head will explode. Thanks for the info though I appreciate getting all the knowledge from people
@@FandabiDozi Love the videos and the enthusiasm, keep it up! :) I was wondering about breacan myself. Interesting word with an indo-european route I was taught at uni, despite wikipedia attributing it to old English. Brístí is Irish for trousers. Similarly, I'm just learning now (thanks Google) briogais is the Scots Gaelic. All related I think. Check out the etymology of breeches / britches on wikipedia if you're interested. www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=13&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwjok7iSsObfAhWcSxUIHcPWCy4QFjAMegQICxAB&url=https%3A%2F%2Fen.wikipedia.org%2Fwiki%2FBreeches&usg=AOvVaw1PbSLJTzMa7ktjXa-cFII9
Synthetics? Shame on you. All wool. Also Hair On Highland Cattle skins. Well greased leather is waterproof.
It makes sense wealthier men would have had the plaid leggings. To get a tight fit with woven wool fabric the pants would have been cut on the bias (as in the painting shown) this would have used more yardage and more waste. The whole point of the kilt is that the entire bolt of fabric is used, and could be adjusted due to weight gain or passed onto family members. Only the wealthy could be able to afford to cut their bolt through the diagonal.
It was more that they were more often on horses for which the kilt wasn't very practical
You have a colder darker winter than I do, southwest of Seattle. But what works there would work here.
Thanks again, your effort is appreciated.
Most people don't know or tend to forget that it's because of the latitude. If Seattle was in Europe it would be just south of Germany. Also, there wouldn't be as many hipsters. Just kidding, love Seattle. I am in the very southwest of Germany, and we are still 48° latitude, Seattle is 47°. Edinburgh is 55° latitude, winters will be really dark with short days there. But also quite mild, we have harder frosts than they have in most parts.
@@Gandalf-The-Green funny thing I saw a heavily bearded hipster the other day, and the Monty Python Lumberjack Song got stuck in my head.
@@davidvavra9113 Well, you know that if he was a lumberjack, then he's ok.....
@@vjordan1709 indeed.
Oh this was a nice way to wake up😊🍵 Thank you~
I think those leather shoes are really interesting. They must be much healthier then the ones we wear now for the every day life (as worker shoes they won't be too good of course).
@Mac Kent
You made them yourself?! That's cool😀
I have only seen those in shops who sell middle age themed stuff; but those are not only extremely expensive but also seem more for costume purpose then for actual use...
and in arabic shops; because they wear a kind of leather socks traditionally.
But those won't work in winter.
Since I live in a city and did run around bare footed in summers when I was a teen (also in shops, trains etc I just didn't use shoes no matter where I went. Only toe socks sometimes where the toes where open), I experienced how quickly one can get hurt in a city, since people throw bottles and other dangerous or disgusting stuff at the ground, so it's suddenly very important to watch where you go...
Is it different with your kind of shoes? Or do you experience the same problems?
Thank you for your input btw🌸
mucklucs worn by the innuit are a kind of beefed up moccasin that are very light but also warm, since form often follows function I could imagine a highlander wearing something similar in winter, btw I was told over 40yrs ago that the distinction was a kilt was just the short phillabeg from waist to knee, and the full garment was a kilted plaid(pronounced plad)
seanthomasdowd it’s pronounced Played.
@@kiltymacbagpipe lol you say eether and I say eyether
seanthomasdowd having spent the last twenty years tromping over a good part of the globe while wearing a kilt and performing in pipe bands along side such other bands as the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards and the Scots Guards, I can say with some authority that there is one way to say the name of that garment. Plaid (plad) is the pattern on a bush jacket worn by lumberjacks, a plaid (played) is either a separate garment worn with a kilt in modern times, as in a pipers plaid, fly plaid or belted plaid or the historical garment as worn in these videos.
seanthomasdowd
In Norwegian, “pledd” (pronounced /plæd/) is a blanket of any kind.
Great channel with lots of very interesting and useful information. Do you think we could be organising each year a walk in Scottish Highlands for the purpose of exchange information and experience on traditional ways of life in different parts of the world? One condition: NO (or at least as possible) CONTEMPORARY CLOTHES AND EQUIPMENT (except emergency back-up).
That would be pretty Cool! Definitely a possibility for the future. I am working towards doing something like that one day. They main thing would be footwear. Unless you have worn simple leather shoes all your life people may break a angle easily, but possible with the clothing etc. And as you said some emergency gear too :)
Imagine if you ran into a dude from the 1600s who time traveled when you were out on a hike.. Who would recognize the difference first
I'm looking to get a wool jacket like that. What is it called? I've heard it referred to as a "Culloden Coat".
i love that you made ayoutube channel about this.. i love the 15, 16, 17, 18 and 19 century it really is addictivly fascinating. i love 17 and 18 century books. its intriguing to think about how somthing as simple as a article of clothing, to a good ax / hatchet could be worth allot compared to today.
Thank you very much for the history lesson. Being Scottish I understand the weather ect. See you next time
Huge fan of your channel man. Huge fan of Scotland wilderness and highlanders in general. From the states but I’m a giant researcher of Gaelic culture particularly the warrior culture and their connection to the land it’s my favorite research topic. Anyways would love your input on where I could obtain a hiking staff that highlanders actually used at least the style of it. As well as you should get together with the Pace Brothers they are big time wilderness people and talk a lot on the rewilding of Scotland on their podcast. Not sure if you’ve met them or not.
Thanks man! I talk about where to buy stuff in my QnA video. But I think the link to the plaid has expired. Sorry about that. No I havnt actually. Are the based in Scotland? I will check them out
I ended up finding the QnA video right after I commented not sure how I missed that one. Yes they are based in Scotland they are more into expedition hunting and conservation issues. You should check them out though. Not sure if you hunt or not but I’ll put a link to their “Into The Wilderness” series.
ruclips.net/p/PLTJgjFl5syzeqaB4UIvLjjCAevOhw9sgD
Also one more question where would you say the wildest place in Scotland is? As far as wilderness and wildlife, Skye? My wife and I are planning a backpacking vacation in Scotland one of these years and we want to hike and camp through some of the more wilderness places.
VERY informative!!!! You make an excellent teacher!!!! Thank you most graciously for all your hard research in finding answers to subscribers questions!!! LOVE your videos!!!! So happy I found your channel!!!!!
Very kind of you! Thank you :D
I enjoy your videos. I was returning to one of your earlier ones and found this. I wanted to ask about severe cold weather which I believe Scotland can have. After three months of living through local temperatures around -12 C, with no relief in sight, I dug out my extra snow suits today and thought of you! (I can help being a bit depressed when this severe weather drags into ¨spring¨. One of my vehicles is actually frozen to the ground and cannot be driven.)
I cannot imagine Scottish men so lightly dressed in extremely bad weather. For instance, what would men have worn in the stormy and cold northern islands? Would that have been different that the plaid and kilt, etc.?
In the 17th century the northern hemisphere was said to still be in a ´mini ice age´. Some sources claim that the many heavy layers worn, for instance by the Tudor court was due to the severe cold. I liken those costumes, the weight and warmth, to what I put on my bed.
For millennia it was customary to wear linen undergarments next to the skin because these garments absorbed perspiration and body fluids and could be changed frequently. Outer garments frequently could not be, or were not washed. For instance, standard female attire was, linen chemise, petticoat, kirtle, gown and/or possibly a coat. Bloomers, knickers, etc. were not worn by either sex. So much for wondering what is under a manś kilt. For the times, no one had that kind of under garment. I have not studied male attire that much but there was a similar sequencing for males in the middle ages.
An appropriate crotch was not invented for ´hose´ for quite some time so as you say, long stockings, sewn from woven fabric, not knitted, were tied to a belt. (Interestingly the curved crotch seam which makes trousers comfortable is a fairly new invention. Still today in some Middle Eastern and Asian countries, women who sew their own garments create wide, loose trousers by sewing legs onto something resembling a miniskirt.
I took a highland dance class and the instructor said the Highland Fling was a political statement of defiance. It is said to be about shedding and kicking off ´trews´ that the English enforced on Scotsmen as some point. Wearing of the kilt is supposed to equal national identity and freedom. The dance was traditionally done by men, according to the instructor.
There is a comment somewhere about the young Mary Queen of Scots when she was a girl in France. It said her native costume was a collection of skins, and wild furs. This was written by a French person and I think it must have been exaggerated. With the internet I have searched in vain for any example of such a Scottish costume on anyone at any date. (I do not remember where I read the description but it was one of the acclaimed biographies of Mary.)
I know people were tougher in the old days. Native Americans, for instance, lived in cold temperatures with garments we would find inadequate. They seemed to adapt quickly to the European blankets. (This was a forerunner of the famous Pendleton blankets, made near where I live.) People all over the world 400 years ago were used to more cold than we can stand today. That said, I wonder if the costume demonstrated in these videos would have been worn by people having to work or travel long distances in vicious cold? Imagine mucking out the barn and feeding the stock in the plaid with thin shoes.
Shoes have long been a problem. We are so fortunate to live in an age when footwear is sturdy and readily available! Very long leather boots were sometimes worn but I do not know what class wore them. I think I will link a picture in another short post.
My heritage is Russian and people there wore more substantial clothing as did the Vikings. Did the Scots felt any of the wool? For instance Russians have long made felt boots or boot liners called ´valenki´.
Thanks for all the info :D I have thought a lot about these sort of things and have not yet found very clear answers. It has been proven that people who grew up in colder conditions have higher densities of "brown fat" in their body, helping them insulate themselves better. So no doubt people in the Highlands were very tough, but then some stories sound exaggerated :) thanks again for sharing
You look dapper with that jacket and hat.
There are a number of portraits from the 1700's showing highlanders wearing fur. The ones that come to mind were jerkins.
I’m very glad I found your channel!
Go and find some auld heilanders that speak Gaelic and they'll tell give you information passed down and not in books. Seriously, you'll be amazed.
Your series is really well done. I enjoy learning about bush craft techniques. Your way of sharing the historical Highlands version is engaging and educational.
Great video. Where met a good place to buy a great Kilt?
I have a link in my QnA video, but I think the shop is out of stoke. You just need to look for a long piece of wool fabric. So need to shoo around at fabric stores or maybe kilt makers before they sow them into modern kilts?
Thanjs for the replie. And if you are still looking for a functional Dirk. Could I suggest you Cold Steel or Museum Replicas
Regarding the wearing of furs, wouldn't it have invited accusations of poaching from the landowners? The title holders to the lands also claimed ownership of the wildlife.
The less desirable critters, squirrels and rabbits might be allowed... That wouldn't cover most people in a household tho.
Well done.
Some interesting videos, which gives one some appreciation of our ancestors possible lifestyle.
However, they probably didn't have the use of Dachstein mitts! :o)
Thank you.
Good Lord...it's like seeing my teenage fantasy brought to life...too many years too late*&%#!!
Hi there! Where did you get your bonnet from please? It looks really cozy 😊. Thanks, Natalie 😁
I Got mine on a Etsy shop called RandomElf. All links are in my QnA video :) Thanks :)
Fandabi Dozi thank you! I’ll look there. Looking forward to your next video 😊
👍👍🍺🍺Excellent Tom thanks for the vid , keep them coming
If the Highlanders were anything like their relatives the Redshanks in Ireland, then they wore nothing on their legs. Even still went barefoot in winter.
how is that possible? they would quickly lose their feet to frostbite in the snow
@@badgoy8439 Fair question. I wasn't there (obviously), so can only say what I've read elsewhere in the past.
@@badgoy8439 it takes practice. Nowadays most bodies are kind of spoiled... Wim Hof is very active in this field and teaches others. He swims in artic water and climbs snowy mountains in just swimming shorts.
Yes but he is only out in the cold for relatively short periods with a good diet, and no amount of adrenal training will stop your knee fluid from crystallising and causing damage or your toes losing circulation. Also, you’ll be burning thousands more calories than you would in insulated clothes, so you’d become skinnier and colder and weaker
@@tseuren123 But most prehistoric people would have stocked up for winter and stayed in. Animals hibernate and grow white fur, so they wouldn't last long trying to hunt them in winter.
Did anyone question you for an cosplay person in the woods
Great information! Thanks for sharing.
About the word "kjalta".
In Denmark, Western Jutland, we have a old word for bad looking clothe, its: "Pjalter", which could be, depending on how you pronounce it, be the more "modern" word for kjalta.
The word "pjalter" is used about cloth that is in a bad state, got holes in it or is very worn.
Many old words have lost their original meaning or have a complete opposite meaning today.
Great idea about the woolen long underwear...I would myself put woolen socks up over the bottom half and hold them up w/garters and tabs matching the kilt, for a bit more flair...and warmth!
Could the Highlanders have used either a wax or oil treatment on their plaids. Since the original Western (American) duster was an oiled treated canvas or deer skin (which lent credence that you could smell the Mountain Men before you saw them).
I haven't found any evidence of it. But the plaids my have still contained the natural oil from the sheep as well as everyday grime that could have increased water resistance. Thanks for watching
Have you read Weston Price's study of Scottish diet while he was doing his famous research?
No I haven't. I will check that out thanks!
would love to see some more archery, just getting into traditional selfbow archery myself
Yes please, that would be great if possible some time.
I have a message that I’m sharing where I can, some may not want to hear this, but I ask that we stay polite and seek truth together. 😊
Love is an action. Feed the hungry, house the homeless, father the orphan, and protect the defenseless and vulnerable.
Read the Word for yourself, not only relying on others for guidance. Pray for guidance.Yahushua/Yeshua - His Hebrew name who is usually called (Jesus) taught to keep the whole Word. Including the Law/Torah. Matthew 5:17 “Do not presume that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish, but to fulfill. 18 For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not [g]the smallest letter or stroke of a letter shall pass from the Law, until all is accomplished! 19 Therefore, whoever nullifies one of the least of these commandments, and teaches [h]others to do the same, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever [i]keeps and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven." Read 1 John. John tells us that sin is lawlessness, and that we must keep the commandments. Trust in the atonement of Yahushua/Yeshua who is usually called Jesus, and keep God (YHWH)'s whole Word/commandments. Revelation 12:17 So the dragon was enraged with the woman, and went off to make war with the rest of her children, who keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Jesus. Revelation 14:12 Here is the perseverance of the saints who keep the commandments of God and their faith in Jesus. Go to parableofthevineyard youtube channel for information about the bible and good bible studies. I'm in no way paid or sent by him for advertising. I just have learned a lot from his content. He's just a man who is trying to learn as well. :) Yeshua died so we may be resurrected to eternal life.....
Well from what I understand “Feilidh mor” is just “big kilt”, simply “feilidh” refers to a modern kilt so it’s the same kind of relationship and “kilt vs great kilt” in English. Not fluent or a native speaker but that’s my knowledge on it.
We’d all ready made animals extinct by the 17th century? I’m curious as to which animals those would be. In the 17th century firearms were single shot and for most of the century not very powerful. The whaling industry was in it’s infancy and ships were not yet as fast and effcieint as they would become in the next 100 years. Hmm, as I said, I’m curious as tot he provennce of that comment.
In the main I am agreat admirer of Tom but Vincit Omnia Veritas.
It wouldn't be historically accurate, albeit not utterly ridiculous, but have you ever considered using a pakol (Afghan hat) instead of a bonnet?
I think the pakol is superior for use.
Arguably, they could have been acquired at the time... Unlikely, but not impossible.
Going barefoot in winter? Wouldn't surprise me! Have Highland heritage myself, (mother's maiden name was a Higgs), and my son is a big, burly, barrel-chested guy who goes barefoot in 20 degree weather! The boy has always hated shoes, ever since he was little. Lol!
I love your highlander series videos. Your attention to detail is very impressive. Can you share where you get parts of your kit from ? I realize you make most of it. I'm trying to find a correct sewing pattern for the outer jacket and bonnet for 17th century and early 18th. Any help would be appreciated mate. Cheers
Only the 2nd video of yours I've watched. Very well made & researched thank you for sharing
What about woolen jacket, its typicall patern for 17th century in Highlands? Could you tell something more about this upper piece of clothes? I really like it but I can't find something more about that.
Hmm, wool underlayer, wool middle, wool outer layer, wool plaid, and wool trousers. Starting to think wool might be good for staying warm..
I shouldn't base just on appearances, and without having watched the whole video, but it looks to me like you're freezing your arse off.
So, you've talked about the trews and the kilts, but can you clear soMething up for me? Are you saying that sometimes they'd be worn together, or always just one or the other?
Hello folks,
can anyone tell me where I can buy a jacket like this? As I am not from Scotland or England and do not know what this green jacket is called. Thank you very much in advance.
Why was hides or animal skins such as deer or cow not as prevalent in Scotland? In North American, buckskin and leather clothing were worn by those who live on the frontiers such as trappers and mountain men. Animal skins are waterproof, very efficient windbreakers, and very good at retaining body heat - you don't see a cow needing an overcoat do you? I use to have a buckskin coat and it outlasted my other modern day winter coats. Sadly, the company that made the buckskin coat went out of business more than 30 years ago.
I can't help thinking that those tough Scottish ancestors were fairly used to "brisk" weather, and since it's easier to dry off and warm up bare feet than to dry out boots and socks, I'd bet good money that in wet weather they carried their shoes and went barelegged as much as possible, for short stints outdoors. Once one is in shelter or making camp, one can then dry off those chilly wet feet and get'em in some warm dry stockings and shoes for the night. Of course, it would only work for a short time, and above a certain temp, but I betcha folks went barefoot a LOT back then. Makes ya tough.
There's tales of Voyagers dipping their mittens in the river as they paddle canoe, so the mitts will freeze and keep the wind out. Our horses prefer to be covered with snow layer outside and stay warm under it rather than be in the barn where they have free access all the time. When its bitter without snow we do make them wear coats to block the wind. Their choice to be outside rain or snow. I'll wear my heavy winter coat and sweater and boots and long socks and mits and scarf and cap even if I look like a haystack with eyes. I don't strip fleece for spinning and weaving unless I'm going to dye it. I love the lanolin smell. )).. spun and wove a great kilt in exchange for clarsaich. Both of us happy. )))
Hi good channel ' i think you should get your sister on to talk authentically about the Gallic words and English equivalent ' to help understand our language ' i think a interview with her would be brilliant.
Thanks again for a great video! I really like your content! History, survival, outdoor... top combination :)
Fandanidozi
Townsend
And corporals corner
Are 3 very good representation of 3 different generations of wilderness survival
I'm curious about what the difference is, if any, between what highlanders wore and what lowlanders (is that a term?) wore.
Did you ever test out making a frozen shell from your plaid? This winters cold enough for sure. It was - 11 a couple of days ago
One more thing I would like you to delve more into the foot wear if possible with info available to you .
@Mac Kent Hi Mac. Seems like you are knowledgeable about this stuff. Is it okay if you message me through my FB and share some links and resources please? Always looking to learn more. Thanks
Another possible etymology for kilt is "cheilt," meaning "hidden."
Interesting about the norse and english words though, hadn't been aware of those.
Brilliant video, very informative! I'm struggling to find a good wool jacket to go with my great kilt. Can i ask, where did you get yours? Could please post a link? Thanks in advance
In Florida when a sudden freeze comes, they will hose the oranges down with water. The water will freeze and insulate the orange inside. Otherwise, the freeze would destroy the oranges. So ya never know about freezing their wool....
I really like your videos and you seem to walk all over the countryside. Do you have to get permission from the landowner to hike on their land? Here in the US, landowners get pretty teste about people being on their land. They don't want folks even walking through the forest or anywhere over their fences.
Trus, or truse means underwear in Norwegian.
Sounds to coincidental to be non-related :)
Found this shop online while searching for a place to get linsey-woosey, a blended fabric made with wool and linen that was used by sailors due to its ability to dry quickly and still keep them warm. They appear to have other types of woolen authentic style historical textiles also. periodfabric.com/
Hard to believe, but my ancestors wore just such clothing.
If you look at highland regiments, at least in Canada, enlisted men wear kilts and officers generally wear the plaid trousers. Might this not suggest it was a bit of a class thing originally? Or is that more something the English would have introduced to differentiate the class or rank of individuals?
I love your video. very informative! :)
I like your video's refreshing no product reviews . On the clothing I think its the animal skin that wins the clothing war it has kept our tribes warm since the beginning of time also has done a very good job of protecting our animals it's hard to argue skins rule . At 75 years old Ivam still wearing my grand fathers sheep skin vest .
Hiya please would you consider doing a video on some of the historic sites near you in Scotland? I don't mean the large well known ones but smaller stone circles, standing stones, brochs etc stuff like that
Yeah I could try that :) thanks :)
I'm more than sure that Scottish immigrants and especially mercenaries in XVII century central and eastern Europe wore preferred wearing tartan trousers
Anyone know of similar channels but about the Irish?
I'm certain they wouldn't have thrown the furs and skins of any animal they ate away. So they must have made something with them.
Great hobby and another example of why YT is so interesting. Greetings from the cold mid-atlantic of the U.S.A.
Loving the Authenticity mate. Great stuff!
What clan is the tartan you are wearing ? it looks very close to my family McIntyre from Oban
This might be a dumb question. But in the Outlander show it appears that the men are wearing knee high boots. Is that accurate?
The ancient Celts wore trews, the Romans described them. The Kilt was unknown to these peoples.
You look up hat the Celtic people did when they migrated to cold places and seen what they wore and brought I know a lot of mountain men were from Ireland and Scotland
My people are from Caithness. Isn't it winter year round there?
How did you convert your modern coat to look like its from the 1700s? Could you do a video on that?