Bagpiper Kilts
Historically, the Scots used the Bagpipe as an instrument of war. The bagpipe were said to possess the sounds that would inspire warriors to levels of valor.
The Scottish pipers led their clans into battle skirting the songs of victory and the dirges of defeat. In addition, the piper celebrated births and marriages and composed songs of lament upon the death of individuals.
Official pipe bands were introduced to British military regiments in the middle of the nineteenth century. Not long after this the bagpipe became an essential component of these regiments. Military and Civilian pipe bands are now found all over the world, wherever Scottish and Celtic ancestry are found.
The bagpipers kilt is of a regimental weight, 18oz and heavier is some cases, a full 8 yard kilt of this weight would approximately be 9 pounds of kilt, not including the Military horsehair sporran and accompanying accessories.
A bagpiper not associated with a pipe band can wear a kilt of any tartan and weight, depending on his or her particular fancy.
A traditional kilt has 3 standard weights the 10 oz “Reiver”, the 13 oz “Braeriach” and the 16oz “Strome”.
Typically the 10oz and the 13 oz are the most common.
I personally prefer the 16oz due to the weight of the material holding the pleats and the extra weight of the kilt gives the distinctive “Swagger” we all love about the kilts.
