traveltales: THE CURIOUS KILT

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

THE CURIOUS KILT

All About Kilts
I, for one, love the kilt and thoroughly enjoyed a visit to a kilt maker in Inverness, Scotland where I learned that over 3000 tartans are divided into three groups: clan tartans, army tartans, and city tartans. Today there are also tartans that can be worn by anyone. Often businesses design their own tartan. The advent of color TV made dress tartans very popular. Ancient tartans are very dark because of the lack and availability of dyes. All tartans are plaids, but not all plaids are tartans. A tartan has the same pattern of colors and strips, no matter from what direction it is viewed.

Originally tartan referred specifically to a mantle of cloth draped over the back and shoulder. Kilts can be traced back to 1471. Clans developed special dying and weaving techniques with colors and patterns. The craft of dying with various plants and bark was raised to an art form and was a source of pride to the clan. Tartans came into fashion during Queen Victoria’s time when Albert wore a kilt and made all things Scottish popular.

Originally the kilt was called a faelmor (sounds like filimore) and was simply a blanket of unwashed wool. Wrapped around the waist it formed a covering. With part of it tossed over the shoulder a pouch-purse could be formed in the front chest, and wrapped a different way it formed a knapsack in back for carrying articles. At night the faelmor substituted for a blanket.

A kilt uses eight yards of fabric and is specially measured and handmade. Kilts have 27-29 pleats in the back. After pleating, the fabric is cut away about four inches down from the top to allow for a facing and to reduce the bulk around the waist. The kilt just covers the knee. The straps and buckle are the last things attached before pressing. It takes 8-10 hours to make a kilt and 3-5 years of training before a kilt maker is left on her own.

There are strict rules for wearing a kilt; however, there are no rules for how women can wear a tartan.

The purse-like sporran is worn in the front of the kilt. The number and kind of tassels on the sporran identifies the regiment.

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Travel Tips

Wet feet, who has rubbers these day? To dry wet shoes put crumpled newspaper inside the shoe and it will wick out all the moisture. If you expect your travels to take you where your feet are likely to be walking in puddles or streams, pack a section of newspaper in the bottom of your suitcase.
In many places in the world the tip is included in the restaurant bill---good to know!
In Europe bathrooms are referred to as WC or toilet. Any other term is not understood.
When hiking, stop to tighten shoe/boot laces before starting down hill.
When traveling by plane be sure to wear all cotton clothing, which today is no problem. In case of fire, man-made fibers melt, cotton burns instead, leaving a clean burn vs one with all kinds of junk melted into it.
Didn't expect a sunburn and have no Rx for it? Dab the area with a cool wet tea bag. the tannin in the tea will reduce inflamation.
I bet you travel with a small bottle of hand sanitizer either in your purse or pocket. Did you know that when you spill something in your lap or wear part of your lunch that a few dabs of hand sanitizer on the spot will make it disappear like magic!
Speaking of shoes, I do not recommend removing them on a long flight. Untie and loosen them. I have actually seen people not be able to get their shoes back on because their feet have swollen during a long flight. Oach!
As painful as it may be limit yourself to two pairs of shoes. You are not traveling to make a fashion statement. Wear your heavest pair which should be a good pair of walking shoes. Pack a lighter pair or sandals.
Make a copy of all your documents and credit cards before leaving home and carry seperately. Also before leaving home leave a copy of your itinerary including hotels and their phone numbers and dates of stay with a family member.
It's always tempting to take a sleeping pill on a long overseas flight, BUT I never do because in the unlikely event of problems I want to have all my senses about me!
Afraid of bedbugs these days? Carry a small squirt bottle of lavender along with your other liquids. Spray your pillow and around your bed and mattress. This will give you a good visual and also repel the little devils.
I carry a couple of aspirin in my pocket and once the plane is in the air I swallow one. I feel this is especially important on long overseas flights to avoid leg problems.
If you do need to do laundry when traveling wring it as dry as possible by hand, then lay the article flat on a bath towel and roll tightly. Unroll and hang. It should be dry by morning.
I carry a small empty water bottle when traveling. I place it in the tray along with my plastic bag of liquids. Once through security I fill it from the water fountain. I always have water to take a pill or a drink when I'm thirsty.
Beware that European bath tubs are very deep and water is often scalding hot. Be careful especially if you have hip or knee problems.
If you're going to be gone more than a few days water your indoor plants well then cover with a large plastic bag tucking the edges well under the pot. If you use a laundry bag simply knot the area where the hanger protrudes. When you return your plants will be healthy and well.
In the largest print possible print your last name and hotel on a sheet of paper and place it on the top of your clothes before closing your suitcase. If your bag gets way laid hopefully it will make it to your hotel.
If you are the owner of the common black bag personalize it by adding various cut outs from colored duct tape. It will be easier to identify than if it carries a bit of ribbon.