The vernacular symbol in Scotland: the kilt

Highland dancing competition with the outfit of kilt(Image from visitscotland.com)

Scottish kilt: the representation of the highland

On the highland filled with natural ambiance, holding a glass of ice-cold whiskey and enjoying the wonderful dance competition performed by residents in kilts, this is definitely the most "Scottish-style" vacation experience one can have this summer. For me, the first thing that made me recognize this place as Scotland was, of course, the distinctive Scottish kilt worn by the locals. The history of the kilt dates back to the 1720s. To facilitate work, factory owners cut the Feileadh cloak, which was used by the Highlanders to mitigate the effects of a humid climate, into a separate top and bottom, thus creating the original kilt. However, the reason why the kilt has become a cultural representative of Scotland today can be traced back to the failed uprising in 1746: the English suppressed the protests of the Highlanders and issued an edict prohibiting civilians from continuing to wear kilts. Nevertheless, this edict made the rebellious Scots place even greater value on the kilt, viewing it as a symbol representing the rebellious spirit of their ethnic group. After the abolition of this law in 1782, they regained the freedom to wear kilts, thus forming a unique symbol of the "rebellious and fighting" spirit of the kilt.(Loranger, 2016)

Symbols are producible objects used to convey information. Unlike icons, they often represent spiritual concepts that do not exist in physical form.(Harper, 2010) Even in today, when the Highlanders put on their kilts, they are filled with fighting spirit in their hearts, and this is the biggest reason why the kilt, as a popular symbol, can represent Scottish culture.

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Reference List

Harper, M. (2010). Land of Symbols. In Symbols of Australia (pp. 1–11). UNSW Press.

https://ap02.alma.exlibrisgroup.com/leganto/readinglist/citation/14600639870009604/file/viewer

Loranger, D. P. (2016). Scottish kiltmaking: Knowledge, practice, and potential for Protected Geographic Indication (Order No. 10243422). Available from ProQuest Central Premium; ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global. (1860239922). https://www.proquest.com/dissertations-theses/scottish-kiltmaking-knowledge-practice-potential/docview/1860239922/se-2

VisitScotland.(2026). Highland games in Scotland. VisitScotland Database. Highland Games in Scotland | VisitScotland