Most
people know that Scots wear the kilt. The kilt is still
worn as part of a military uniform. In olden times the kilt
was worn only by the Highland Scots.
There
are historical references to Highland dress as far back
as 1093. In the middle ages, Celtic dress consisted of a
skirt-like garment (lenn), a jacket (inar) and a single
piece of cloth (brat) or feileodh mor – pronounced
fels mor. The feileodh mor was made of wool, several yards
long, and was wrapped around the body with one end brought
up and over the shoulder from behind. The wrapped part was
belted at the waist, while the free end was pinned with
a large Celtic brooch. In the event of cold rainy weather,
the free end was wrapped around the head and shoulders like
a cloak. At night, the whole length of the garment served
as a blanket which the Scotsman rolled himself in for warmth.
During battle, the fabric could be used as a stretcher or
something in which to carry the spoils of war. The feileodh
mor was the primary garment and that part of the attire
which has the oldest origins.
