his is the web site of
Matthew Newsome, FSA Scot, curator of the
Scottish Tartans Museum (US
extension), member of the Guild of Tartan Scholars,
kilt maker, and a published authority on Scottish tartans and the history of
Highland dress.
I began this web site nearly a decade ago, originally devoted purely to
the topic of early (by which I mean pre-seventeenth century) Highland Dress.
This research can be found in my articles on the léine,
the early kilt, and in my book,
Early Highland Dress. Since then, I have written on a much
broader range of topics dealing with the kilt, both historic and modern, and
you will see this reflected in the articles and
information contained on this site.
I have studied -- and worn -- kilts from all different periods of
Scotland's history for many years. I also make kilts in the way that the
original tailored kilts of the late eighteenth century were constructed – box pleated, using on average
four yards of cloth. If you are interested in having one of these
traditional kilts made for you, please
click here.
On this site you will find
articles and
books I have written on
various topics, mostly dealing with tartan and the kilt. I also have a
monthly column on Highland Dress in the
Scottish Banner
newspaper. You may also read my various ramblings on Highland Dress
on my web log, and see me
posting in the X Marks the Scot
kilt wearer's forum.
If you are interested in having me
come to speak on these or
related topics at your event, please
email me for
more information. I have given lectures at various
Scottish Highland Games and festivals, as well as to school, church, and
community groups.
Please use the navigational menu at
the top of the page to explore
this site. If you are having trouble finding your way around, use this
search tool to search just the contents of this site.
“Pleas it your Majestie to understande that
we of all people can tollerat, suffir, and
away best with colde, for boithe somer and wyntir, (except whene the froest is
mooste vehemonte) goynge always bair leggide and bair footide . . . therefore,
in so moche as we use and delite so to go always, the tendir delicatt
gentillmen of Scotland call us Redhankes.” –John Elder, a Highland priest,
writing to King Henry VIII of England in 1542.
“Those who inhabit Scotland to the South of
the Grampian mountains are tolerably civilized and orderly, and speak the
English language; but those who inhabit the North are more rude, homely and
unruly, and for this reason are called ‘Wild.’ They wear like the Irish
a large and full shirt, coloured with saffron, and over this garment hanging
to the knee, of coarse wool, after the fashion of a cassock.” – Nicolay
d’Arfeville, cosmographer to the King of France, describing James V’s voyage
to north of Scotland in 1547.
