History

For us, the costumes on Outlander always steal the show. The popular TV series, which has just screened its fifth season, is based on Diana Gabaldon’s historical novels. In the series Claire Randall, a nurse from the Second World War, travels back in time to Scotland in 1743 just before the Jacobite risings. Not surprisingly, Outlander’s costumes have been admired by fans since the programme first aired in 2014, and they have ignited an interest in Scotland’s 18th-century styles across the world. There are many ‘How to’ tutorials on Youtube, popular with fans keen to recreate Outlander’s Jacobite styles. 

The Sgian Dubh is an integral part of your Scottish Highlandwear, along with your kilt and sporran. Yet, the sgian dubh has only really been a part of a traditional kilt outfit since the 1800’s. Earlier, it may have been common to carry a sgian achlais (armpit knife) in the coat sleeve. This could potentially be used for self-defence, but more likely for cutting up and eating your food.

St. Patrick’s Day in 2017 lands on a Friday, which for many is the perfect day of the week to partake in celebrations. St. Patrick’s Day is all about celebrating the arrival of Christianity in Ireland, as well as celebrating Irish culture and heritage. There is no better way to do this than with tartan! Do you think that tartans only represent Scotland? Well, unfortunately you are wrong . There is a whole range of Irish tartans that are being woven as we speak. They are incredibly popular among people with an Irish heritage.

Around the world, there are a lot of myths and urban legends that have surrounded tartan, the kilt, and Scotland. One of my favourites is that in Scotland you cannot tell the difference between men and women’s toilet signs! (And by the way this is false! Our toilet signs are much the same as any other country). Here are three of the most common myths surrounding Scottish Culture.

Before the Reformation of 1560, Christmas in Scotland was celebrated in much the same way it was across Catholic Europe. It involved feasts, games, and gifts. In Scotland, it was called “Yule” which has Pagan roots. The word refers to the mid-winter’s celebration of the winter’s solstice.
This all changed when Oliver Cromwell came to power.

St. Andrew’s Day (or in Scottish Gaelic ‘Là Naomh Anndrais’), marks the country’s patron saint and occurs every year on November 30th. Many Countries have a patron saint. England has St George, Wales has St David, and Ireland has St Patrick. These patron saints have generally been chosen because they share some connection with that saint. They may have preached there, died there, or had some or all of his relics transferred there. Scotland is no different.