kilt

The kilt is a well-known part of traditional Scottish dress, usually recognized as a knee-length garment with pleats, often made from tartan cloth. Its history goes back to earlier Highland clothing, especially the feileadh mor or "great kilt," a large piece of cloth that could be wrapped around the body and also used like a blanket.

Over time, this developed into the smaller, tailored form that many people know today. It became strongly linked with Scotland, especially the Highlands, and with tartan patterns that are often connected to families, clans, regions, or organizations. Because of that, wearing one can show pride in family background, cultural ties, or Scottish identity more generally.

While it was traditionally worn by men, it is now worn by people of all genders. You may see it at weddings, graduations, ceilidhs, Highland games, parades, and cultural festivals. In some cases it is formal clothing, and in others it is worn to celebrate heritage or take part in a tradition.

It is more than just a piece of clothing. For many people, it carries ideas of history, community, and national or family identity. You might read about laws after the Jacobite Rising of 1745 that restricted Highland dress for a time, or about modern makers who still create these garments with great care. In that way, the kilt remains both a practical item of clothing and a strong cultural symbol.