This book is a rather interesting guide to the "proper" manner of wearing the Scottish dress - it's actually quite an amusing little book.



Thompson isn't actually Scottish, which is kind of fitting given that I'm guessing neither are the majority of his audience. I'm not trying to be condescending, but this really is meant for those of us in the Scottish diaspora where few Highland Balls or Ceilidhs are complete without some disagreements on which side the clan brooch is worn or which side a lady

This book is a rather interesting guide to the "proper" manner of wearing the Scottish dress - it's actually quite an amusing little book.



Thompson isn't actually Scottish, which is kind of fitting given that I'm guessing neither are the majority of his audience. I'm not trying to be condescending, but this really is meant for those of us in the Scottish diaspora where few Highland Balls or Ceilidhs are complete without some disagreements on which side the clan brooch is worn or which side a lady chief walks on.



As a Pipe Sergeant who functions in a band without a Drum Major and plays at weddings where groomsmen have hired the Scottish dress having never worn it before, I spend a lot of time adjusting highland dress and I see a lot of people getting it "wrong" as there are a lot of bits, pieces, strings and buckles - so it is lovely to have a convenient guide to help people wear it "right" - or at least "right-ish" (as I would argue there's some flexibility.)



I read this a little while back and what actually surprises me is the relative young age of the book - some of the language is a little older-fashioned (to the point where I actually quoted parts of it in my local Caledonian society's newsletter!) Just the title alone made me laugh so much I knew I had to own a copy!



I especially giggled at the part about women wearing the kilt - where Thompson voices his objections as "this is not a matter of sexism, but of anatomy. The sett of the tartan does not fit the female form well!" I also cheered when he took on people who wear "all manner of tartan and shiny tatt" - and he actually shows how to get into a Great Kilt (which I wish more people would research before giving it a go.)



Oh, and in case you're wondering, my answer is always "My shoes and socks." Then I wink.