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Celebrating Hogmanay

By Jennifer McAdam • December 17, 2018
Hogmanay is the Scots word for the last day of the year and synonymous with the celebration of the New Year, in the Scottish manner It is normally followed by further celebration on the morning of New Year’s Day, and in some cases right through to the 2nd January – Scottish Bank Holiday. The accurate origins of Hogmanay are unclear, but it may be derived from Norse and Gaelic observances. Customs vary throughout Scotland, and usually include gift-giving and visiting the homes of friends and neighbours, with special attention given to the first-foot - the first guest of the new year. This custom starts immediately after midnight, and involves being the first person to cross the threshold of a friend or neighbour and often involves the giving of a symbolic gift, and is intended to bring all kinds of luck to the household. Food and drink are then given to the guests and celebrations may goon throughout the early hours of the morning or well into the next day. However, modern days see people visiting their friends and neighbours well into the middle of January.

Fly Plaid

By Jennifer McAdam • December 3, 2018
What is a Tartan Shoulder Plaid? A Shoulder Plaid is a piece of cloth draped over the wearers shoulder which can add a flash of grandeur to your Highland Outfit. Also known as a fly plaid, it generally measures approx. 1.5m x 1m and has fringed edges all around. A Shoulder Plaid can be worn at formal occasions when you are looking to stand out from the crowd. Often the Groom will add one to his Highland Outfit to make himself known on his special day! Tartan Shoulder Plaids are usually made in the matching tartan to the wearers Kilt. Plaids are also worn by Piper’s and members of Pipe bands.

Kilt Jackets

By Jennifer McAdam • November 12, 2018
All over the world the kilt evokes emotion and interest more so than any other form of dress, it is therefore important to ensure you are properly dressed. One of the great beauties of highland dress is that fashions come and go but with a kilt you will always have an outfit that will never date, last a lifetime and is adaptable for any occasion the world over. To go with your kilt or tartan trousers, you'll need a jacket. There are many styles, fabrics, colours and specialist jackets available today, however the most popular that are available in hire and that most people purchase are : Bonnie Prince Charlie, Argyle and Tweed.

Hand Fasting

By Jennifer McAdam • October 1, 2018
Hand-fasting is an ancient tradition dating back to the Celts and is now experiencing a comeback at weddings across the globe. The history and tradition of hand-fasting is as varied as the source from which you research it. Here we explain a little of the origin of the ceremony and also a suggestion on incorporating it into your wedding today.

Australian National Tartan

By Jennifer McAdam • September 20, 2018
A description of the history of the Australian National Tartan, its colours and thread count.

Pleated to Sett or to Stripe

By Jennifer McAdam • September 18, 2018
Its all about the look of the back of your kilt

Choosing a Tartan

By Jennifer McAdam • August 20, 2018
Choosing a tartan is usually the first step in arranging outfits for your wedding or function, but it’s not always easy. Clan or Generic, Modern or Ancient here we explain the differences.

Why wear a kilt?

By Jennifer McAdam • August 9, 2018
Highland dress is one of the most distinctive and attractive national costumes in the world and has survived the passing of centuries with consummate ease. The basic elements of Highland dress - the kilt and sporran - have changed very little in over 300 years. Its just as likely to be seen today on Royalty, New York's Avenue or Sydney Harbour foreshore. Scotland only has a population of around 5 million so it is incredible that their cultural influence has had such far reaching effects. Today, many people worldwide bask in the warmth of their Scottish Ancestry. The kilt is a billboard that distinctly proclaims - "I'm a Scot" or perhaps "my great-granny was a Scot!" For whatever reason you chose to wear a kilt there is more than a little romance around a man in full Scottish regalia. If your groomsmen aren't as keen, let them wear suits, and don't think it detracts from you wearing a kilt, after all. its your wedding, and you are honoring your ancestry

How to be the "best" Best Man

Jennifer McAdam • January 7, 2019

Our tips to being the "Best" Best Man possible ...

Whilst we all acknowledge that the groom is the man of the hour, but just like every superhero needs their sidekick, every groom needs their best man!

The role of best man is a great honour, and you will forever be remembered as a part of the biggest day in the grooms life; no pressure there then!

Having sorted out men across Australia with their wedding kilts for the last 17 years we like to think we know a bit about wedding etiquette and wedding outfits for the men.

Of course every wedding is different and some best men will play a bigger part in some weddings than in others. Therefore, we are here to provide the traditional best man duties to help guide you through the wedding process!

As soon as the groom has bestowed the honoured title of best man upon you, you need to start thinking about helping him sort out kilt outfits to hire or kilt purchase as soon as possible. This is one of the most important best man duties! Most times, the groom will choose the tartans and outfit styles, but it’s the best mans job to arrange fittings, collection or delivery and the return of the outfits after the occasion.

In most cases we know that women normally take charge when it comes to wedding planning and the groom may not even have a say in the cake, flowers, table plans or the venue. In fact; one of the grooms’ only tasks may be to find his chosen tartan and arrange his kilt; if this is one of the grooms few wedding tasks he simply has to get it right!

The bride will often stress so here is a top tip for scoring some best man points; ask the brides opinion on tartan! The groom may have chosen a family or clan tartan for his wedding however many grooms nowadays will pick a tartan to coordinate with wedding colours. The best man should ask the bride for a sample of fabric from the bridesmaids’ dresses so that the groom can consider every option when choosing his tartan. This is a sure fire way to keep every best man in the brides good books!

Traditional Best man duties will also include looking after the groom before, during and after the wedding. Keeping the man of the hour calm is important after all, it’s the biggest day of his life! Make sure you are on time and keeping the groom on schedule!

Another very important best man duties for the wedding day is looking after the rings. BEST MEN EVERYWHERE! WHATEVER YOU DO… DO NOT FORGET THE RINGS! The Best Man should prove himself reliable on the day so the groom is assured he made the best choice when picking you!

Probably the most famous best man duty is the bucks night! This is likely to be the highlight of the groom’s entire wedding experience (apart from the actual wedding day of course!). Top Tip: If there is one thing the Hangover movies taught us it is NEVER have the stag do the night before the wedding! The last thing the bride wants is a hung over hubby! Plan ahead and give you and your friends a few weeks to recover! Don’t forget, kilts aren’t just for weddings! Why not organize a group hire for you and your friends for the bucks? Australia Wide Kilt Hire has a great range of “party kilts” for hire, and they will make you stand out from the crowd and are a great conversation starter. Ask us about the range and price, you will be pleasantly surprised. Regardless of your attire, us Scots manage to make friends anywhere we go!!

The big finale to the best mans role is of course, the Speech! This is the part when you are under the spotlight. If nervous keep it short and sweet but remember to say how gorgeous the bride and her bridesmaids are and try not to embarrass the groom too much!

We always love to hear how you got on with the stag, the wedding…the whole wedding experience! So be sure to post any wedding pics on our Facebook page or Instagram page.

Don’t forget to visit www.kilthire.net.au to view our outfit styles and tartan range available.

Good luck with your Best Man role!

Celebrating Hogmanay

By Jennifer McAdam • December 17, 2018
Hogmanay is the Scots word for the last day of the year and synonymous with the celebration of the New Year, in the Scottish manner It is normally followed by further celebration on the morning of New Year’s Day, and in some cases right through to the 2nd January – Scottish Bank Holiday. The accurate origins of Hogmanay are unclear, but it may be derived from Norse and Gaelic observances. Customs vary throughout Scotland, and usually include gift-giving and visiting the homes of friends and neighbours, with special attention given to the first-foot - the first guest of the new year. This custom starts immediately after midnight, and involves being the first person to cross the threshold of a friend or neighbour and often involves the giving of a symbolic gift, and is intended to bring all kinds of luck to the household. Food and drink are then given to the guests and celebrations may goon throughout the early hours of the morning or well into the next day. However, modern days see people visiting their friends and neighbours well into the middle of January.

Fly Plaid

By Jennifer McAdam • December 3, 2018
What is a Tartan Shoulder Plaid? A Shoulder Plaid is a piece of cloth draped over the wearers shoulder which can add a flash of grandeur to your Highland Outfit. Also known as a fly plaid, it generally measures approx. 1.5m x 1m and has fringed edges all around. A Shoulder Plaid can be worn at formal occasions when you are looking to stand out from the crowd. Often the Groom will add one to his Highland Outfit to make himself known on his special day! Tartan Shoulder Plaids are usually made in the matching tartan to the wearers Kilt. Plaids are also worn by Piper’s and members of Pipe bands.

Kilt Jackets

By Jennifer McAdam • November 12, 2018
All over the world the kilt evokes emotion and interest more so than any other form of dress, it is therefore important to ensure you are properly dressed. One of the great beauties of highland dress is that fashions come and go but with a kilt you will always have an outfit that will never date, last a lifetime and is adaptable for any occasion the world over. To go with your kilt or tartan trousers, you'll need a jacket. There are many styles, fabrics, colours and specialist jackets available today, however the most popular that are available in hire and that most people purchase are : Bonnie Prince Charlie, Argyle and Tweed.
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