Gairloch kilt socks were made by tenants after their lairds set up work schemes in the face of the 1840s potato famine. PIC: Jim Dunn/Gairloch Museum.Gairloch kilt socks were made by tenants after their lairds set up work schemes in the face of the 1840s potato famine. PIC: Jim Dunn/Gairloch Museum.
Gairloch kilt socks were made by tenants after their lairds set up work schemes in the face of the 1840s potato famine. PIC: Jim Dunn/Gairloch Museum.

From the humble to the haughty - a history of the Highlands in clothes

It features handwoven socks sold to stave off famine to a silk ballgown decorated with beetle wings and a thick waistcoat said to have been worn by Bonnie Prince Charlie.
By Alison Campsie
Published 4th Mar 2021, 12:30 BST

Garments held by 14 museums across the North have been brought together in a new virtual exhibition - Highland Threads - which weaves together elements of Highland history, from poverty, endurance and emigration to aspiration and the Empire.

The virtual exhibition showcases a treasured costume from each museum's collection alongside stories of the people who made the cloth, who wore the clothes and where they were produced.

Launching on April 1, the exhibition - which has been devised as the pandemic keeps small museums without vital income - can be found at www.highlandthreads.co.uk.

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Launching on April 1, the exhibition - which has been devised as the pandemic keeps small museums without vital income - can be found at www.highlandthreads.co.uk.

Once belonging to Katherine Gray of Overskibo, Dornoch, this dress has been donated by her descendants in Australia. It is said to have been worn to a ball attended by Bonnie Prince Charlie as well as to official events in Jamaica by the wife of local minister, Reverend Murray, who was posted to the island in the late 18th Century.

5. 18th Century silk dress - Dornoch Historylinks

Once belonging to Katherine Gray of Overskibo, Dornoch, this dress has been donated by her descendants in Australia. It is said to have been worn to a ball attended by Bonnie Prince Charlie as well as to official events in Jamaica by the wife of local minister, Reverend Murray, who was posted to the island in the late 18th Century. Photo: Jim Dunn

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This swimsuit belonged to Mabel Macaulay who grew up on Kirkibost Island off the south west coast of North Uist. It was made by her mother or aunt on a machine, like many of her clothes, and repaired by hand with holes stitched together with little embroidered flowers.

6. Children's Swim Suit - Highland Museum of Childhood

This swimsuit belonged to Mabel Macaulay who grew up on Kirkibost Island off the south west coast of North Uist. It was made by her mother or aunt on a machine, like many of her clothes, and repaired by hand with holes stitched together with little embroidered flowers. Photo: Jim Dunn

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This wedding dress would have been the talk of the town when worn by Agnes Helen Gordon for her marriage to Donald MacDougall in June 1882. The couple ran a shop and following the death of her husband, Mrs MacDougall continued in business and became a prominent figure in Grantown life.

7. Victorian bustle wedding dress

This wedding dress would have been the talk of the town when worn by Agnes Helen Gordon for her marriage to Donald MacDougall in June 1882. The couple ran a shop and following the death of her husband, Mrs MacDougall continued in business and became a prominent figure in Grantown life. Photo: Jim Dunn

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This outfit represents death as well as the diaspora. The original owner was sent the costume by her son in the United States, who had emigrated in the late 1800s but who regularly sent parcels of clothes home to his mother.

8. Victorian mourning dress - Castletown Heritage Society

This outfit represents death as well as the diaspora. The original owner was sent the costume by her son in the United States, who had emigrated in the late 1800s but who regularly sent parcels of clothes home to his mother. Photo: Jim Dunn

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