What materials are kilts traditionally made from?

Traditionally a kilt is made only of 100% pure new wool, usually in tartan. But any kilt, and especially the less formal Casual Kilt, can be made in a variety of fabrics. The most popular alternative fabrics are plain colours, including saffron and green which are both Irish traditions, and also the plain black kilt which is highly fashionable. Another very popular style is tweed.

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22 Comments

Ian Swindale

Oh dear I should have got that having 3 kilts - Royal Stuart, Dress Stuart and Murray of Atholl. I'm adopted and the surname of my real Mother was "Mudie which is a Sept (or branch) of the Royal Stuart clan. I was born on the Duke of Atholl's Estate in Blair Atholl (Perth and Kinross) so am entitled to wear the tartan that goes with the Estate, although there is nothing to stop anyone wearing whatever tartan they want. Royal Stuart is probably the best known tartan.

Grant McIntosh

Tartan wool ??? They are made from wool, but can also be tweed, which itself is made from wool......so poor question.

Val Wilkinson

Cheryl Perkins, I do, and I married a Highlander

Val Wilkinson

Ian Swindale, you weren't one of Wee Iain's men?

Helen Lynch

Tartan wool?!? That’s like saying you can get Tartan paint!!!

Paul Nicholson

Ridiculous question...no such thing as tartan wool...they are made from wool/tweed...and the pattern that is formed is the tartan...depending on what clan...

Evelyn Bauc Hope Fairgrieve

not in Scotland folks...…

Jenny Devereaux

Duncan McConnachie, Haven’t you seen tartan sheep, they can often be seen with the wld haggis roaming the mountains lol.

hector tubens

Always enjoy the St. Patrick's day parade in New York with the band playing the bagpipes and wearing kilts.

George Borthwick

Tweed is made from wool which is woven in a loom. Haggis however HAS Tartan wool, but it’s not used for making Kilts!

filmnut

I love Pendelton Wool Shirts. The “ Black Watch” plaid is my very favorite.It is black and green plaid. The singing group “The Beach Boys” made them extremely popular with west coast surfers. Their original name was the “Pendelton’s” I imagine some sort of legality was the reason for them changing it.

Peter de Loriol

there is no such thing as tartan wool - the kilt as we know it was born in the Victorian era. Prior to that the kilt, if it was worn, was a single colour, possibly two at best. (v The Tartans and clans of the Highlands - Moncrieffe of that Ilk)

Sheryn Whitehurst

Ian Swindale, WELL DONE, LAD! Entitled to wear the tartan is right. My granny was a wright , her family line was McLean. Married a Steele. Probably North Yorkshire. Not sure if I am entitled to wear a clan tartan, but on Bobby Burns day I drape the McLean. I am after all, female. Is this wrong?