The Great Kilt- One of the Themes of Scotland
The great kilt.
“Och aye the noo”
TraIs the cat deid? –
Has the cat died? your trousers are a bit short
– like a flag flying at half mast
Liken my great grandfather did why don’t you put on a kilt
Oh yes, right now
My 16th century
Originating in the traditional
Scots bearing dress of men and boys
In the Scottish Highlands
Is a skirt-type garment with pleats at the rear?
Since the 19th century,
The kilt has become
Associated with the wider
Scottish and Gaelic cultures
A symbol of national pride and tradition
Those cultural heroes of the highlander
Yes! Even some made its way into our military units
And eventually a suited attire symbol of formality
The great kilt.
The first mention of kilts is in 1538
They were worn as full-length garments
Those Gaelic-speaking Scots Highlander men
Were the first to wear them?
The knee-length kilt that we see today
Didn't come around until the early 18th century
Those belted plaid or great kilt
Such a full-length garment
The great kilt
Whose upper half could be worn as a cloak?
Draped over the shoulder, yes even worn by soldiers
Being brought up over the head as a hood
Revealing in a distance a cloak of disability
Comes from the Scots word kilt meaning
Old Norse people donned them kjalta
Meaning lap, fold of a gathered skirt
Also a combat dress
This great kilt
Nonetheless, individual exceptions continued, and it is believed
The kilt was last widely worn in action at the Evacuation of Dunkirk
In May 1940 on D-Day, June 1944, Lord Lovat,
Commander of 1 Special Service Brigade,
This Great Kilt
Was accompanied by his personal pipers who wore a kilt
Played the bagpipes – while German bullets whizzed around him
This tradition has been continued
Within the Pipe Bands of the Republic of Ireland's Defense Forces
The Great Kilt, One of The Themes of Scotland
3/20/21-©2021
For Contest Theme of Scotland
Sponsored by: Julia Ward
Copyright © James Edward Lee Sr. | Year Posted 2021
Post Comments
Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.
Please
Login
to post a comment