The authentic Scottish style uniform, replete with sporran and kilt, distinguishes the
Kiltie Band among all other high school bands.
The authentic Scottish style uniform, replete with sporran and kilt, distinguishes the
Kiltie Band among all other high school bands.
A look at our area's history reveals that the founding of Sarasota was conceived in Scotland by officials of the Florida Mortgage and Investment Co., Ltd. This was the British group that purchased about 50,000 acres in this region. The town plat was drawn in Edinburgh, Scotland, and the first plots of land were sold in Scotland and England in the summer of 1885. A colony of 68 men, women and children, mostly from Scotland, sailed into Sarasota Bay on December 28, 1885 and helped establish what is now the city of Sarasota.
The MacDonald dress, adopted from the clan background of some of the first settlers. is bright maroon and white, with blue and other colors. This tartan was selected for the Riverview Band, as was the traditional Scottish Kilt. British bright royal scarlet was selected for the traditional battle jacket. This is the same uniform worn by current and traditional Scottish regiments.
Click the image above to view a descriptive enlargement of the Authentic Kiltie Uniform.¯
Uniforms are
purchased from Scotland and are a major expense to the Kiltie
organization. A student must be fully uniformed to perform with the
band. Repeated failure to bring a complete uniform to performances
may result in dismissal from the performing group. Each student is
responsible for his or her own uniform. If you lose a part of the
uniform, you must pay for the lost part.
There
is a required uniform fee (Fairshare).
Uniforms are issued during summer band camp. This fee is due at the
time the uniform is issued. Musicians and guard must bring the
designated band shoe to uniform distribution in order to be fitted
for spats. All Kiltie’s will receive a Kiltie t-shirt during
uniform distribution.
Wearing the uniform
of the Kiltie musicians, pipers, dance, guard, or any part of said
uniform to any unauthorized function will result in the loss of the
uniform.
Loaning the uniform and or parts is strictly against all regulations.
Uniform parts, flag equipment, swords, drums and/or any additional equipment issued must be paid in full if lost or misplaced.
Always wear your
issued Kiltie T-shirt and black shorts or approved boxers under your
uniform. No jean shorts, cut-offs or shorts longer than your kilt
will be allowed.
Hats are worn two fingers above the eyebrows. When hats are removed, they should be placed under the epaulet of your jacket, especially when you are in the bleachers. Do not attach the hat to the jacket using the hat ribbon.
Tartans are adjusted so the back edge is even with the hem of the kilt. It is a good practice to pin this at the shoulder of the jacket under the epaulet. This will prevent the tartan from being pulled out and getting lost.
Long hair is to be worn back/up and all hair accessories, scrunches, barrettes, etc., must be black in color. No hair dye or color in the hair that is not your natural color will be allowed.
There
will be uniform and equipment inspections before performances.
Infractions will be reflected in the student’s grade. There is to
be absolutely NO jewelry except post earrings. This includes
watches, necklaces, rings and class rings.
Always
hang your uniform up after each use. Make sure the kilt is hung
from the top of the hanger (not folded over) so pleats will fall in
place. Your uniform should be dry cleaned frequently.
If
the uniform gets wet, do not leave it in your garment bag. Hang
it up as soon as you get it home. Let it dry completely before you
take it to the dry cleaner. They will not clean a wet uniform. Hang
your wet jacket away from other parts of the uniform to dry. The red
dye will bleed into the lighter colored wool.
Keep
all parts together in a garment bag and put your name on the bag. It
is suggested that you purchase a garment bag that has several
pockets and locks. A good sturdy garment bag is required.
You
are responsible for this uniform. You will be charged for any lost
parts. This includes failure to return those parts assigned to
you or parts borrowed during the year and not returned. Each uniform
part is numbered. You are responsible for returning those numbered
articles that are checked out to you. Do not get uniform parts mixed
with another band member’s uniform. If you turn in a part that is
not yours, you are still responsible for your assigned part.
Replacement
buttons for jackets may be obtained in the uniform room from
authorized personnel at a cost of $1 each. Buttons will be provided
at uniform check out for all jackets, which are missing buttons at
no charge. Any student returning a jacket with buttons missing at
the end of the year will be charged $1 for each one.
It
is the responsibility of each student to clean the uniform
regularly between performances.
Have
all wool pieces dry-cleaned only (kilt, jacket, tartan, hose,
hat). Take the uniform to a dry cleaner that will press the
pleats on the kilt. Do not wash or dry the wool pieces in
water. This will shrink the wool. If any of these items have
been washed and shrunk, you will be charged full replacement cost of
that item.
Belts can be machine washed making sure to remove the breastplate and
buckles. Air-drying is best. If the belt issued to you is too
long, do not cut the
excess off. Belts that are shortened become unusable. Tuck or
pin the excess when necessary.
Flag
belts cannot be
immersed in water because of damage to the leather holders. The
white belt straps can be soaked in warm water and detergent while
the leather holder is held out of the water. The warm water and
detergent solution can be used with a brush to scrub the belt, being
careful not to get the leather wet. Do not place in the dryer; air-dry
only.
Spats
are by far the most labor-intensive uniform part to care for.
Although not difficult, regular laundering will not only keep your
spats clean, but also extend the life of the spat. When the spats
get dirty, put them in hot water and detergent and let them soak
overnight. Warm water and detergent solution can be used with a
brush to scrub the spats. Do not use bleach to clean your spats,
as bleach will ruin the canvas. Air-dry only; do not put
in the dryer; do not iron your spats.
Shoes are purchased during band
camp. All musicians and guard must wear the designated black shoe.
Sporrans
must be hung on a hanger after each performance. This prevents
the horsehair from curling. Be sure the sporran chain is not hooked in any way to the tassel rings on the back of the sporran.
The tassels will not support this weight and will pull loose.
TIP: Memorize your HAT and TARTAN part numbers since these are the most frequently
lost articles.
Volunteer
members from the Kiltie
Boosters organization staff the uniform room. The uniform
room will be open on Thursday nights at 5:30 PM, before all football
games and most performances. Other times will be posted on the bulletin
board. Take care of all uniform problems at this time.
All Kilties must arrive before each performance with a complete uniform. Please check your garment bag for all uniform parts. If you are missing a part, you can report to the uniform room to borrow a part.¯