Figure 1.-- This magic lattern glass slide shows boys on their way to school in Edinburgh we think about 1900. Botice the ubiquitous peaked school caps and Eton collars.

Unlike many countries, school uniforms are common in Scotland. This has varied over time. Initially in was like England with just the public (eliete private) schools wearing uniforms. Many in Scotland were called academies. And the preparatory schools as they became estanlished also began requiring uniforms. Then as Scotland began expanding its secondary system after World War II, they followed the comvention in England of requiring uniforms. Some primary schools also began requiring uniforms, but this optionl and most primaries continued to have the children wear their own clothes. The uniforms tended to be basically the same as the uniform styles worn in England. There were only a few difference. Kilts were worn in Scotland. In some cases they were otional dress. At least one prep school had the kilt as the standard unform. More commonly, at last by the mid-20th century, the kilt became the dress up uniform for church and special occasions. A factor here was tht kilts became expensive and thus were resrrved for best, specially for the younger boys. The only other a major difference is that some schools had colored knee sicks insread of the grey knee socks usually worn in England. Sandals were not as common as in England. Other than this the garments were almost inditnguishable between England and Scotland. The types of uniforms depened somewhat on the type of school. The private schools, especially the boarding schools, were most likely to have different uniform, normally a standard, everyday uniform and a dress up uniform for sunday church services and special occassions. In recent years the uniforms have been simplified, but still tend to be involved than the state schools. The day schools were a little different.

Chronology

Unlike many countries, school uniforms are common in Scotland. This has varied over time. We do not have any early historical information on Scottsih school uniforms. We have some information beginning with the 19th century. Initially in was like England with just the public (eliete private) schools wearing uniforms. Many in Scotland were called academies. And the preparatory schools as they became estanlished also began requiring uniforms. Most of our information comes from the 20th century. Then as Scotland began expanding its secondary system after World War II, they followed the comvention in England of requiring uniforms. Some primary schools also began requiring uniforms, but this was optional and most primaries continued to have the children wear their own clothes.

Garments

Scottish school uniforms are quite similar to English school uniforms. Essentially school uniform styles in the United Kingdom were set in much more populace England. The principal difference is of course the kilt. The only other major difference is that boys at private schools common wore colored rather than just grey kneesocks. Blue shorts were also more common in Scotland. HBC has relatively limited information on Scottish school caps. We believe that the tradition peaked school cap like the ones worn in England were standard wear for Scottish school boys. Scottish schools required blazers much as English schools. HBC knows of no important difference between Scottish and English school blazers. Many Scottish schools by the 1980s also had dress uniforms consisting of tweed jackets which were worn with kilts for dress occasions. Scottish schools have ties much like English schools. Some private Scottish schools let boys wear open collared shirts with their blazers, but never with the formal uniform of tweed jacket and kilt. The boys wearing open collared shirts generally wore them with short trousers. Most schools required boys wearing long trousers to wear a tie. Short trousers were widely worn at Scottish private schools. Not only did prep schools have short pants uniforms, but many secondary schools also required the older boys to wear short pants as well. Many Scottish schools appear to have been more traditional than English schools in this matter. Many Scottish schools used the kilt as part of the uniform. Usually it was not worn every day. More commonly the boys wore a blazer or sweater and short pants during the day. The kilt, however, is not a very practical garment for boys. Several of the elite Scottish private schools, both public and preparatory schools, had uniforms with colored knee socks (blue, red, burgandy, purple, green, and black). Red was a particularly popular color. This is in sharp contrast to English schools which usually had grey knee socks. Scottish boys have have used bookbags much like English boys. The continental over-the-shoulder type of book bag used by European boys does not seem to have been common in Scotland.

Type

The types of uniforms depened somewhat on the type of school. The private schools, especially the boarding schools, were most likely to have different uniform, normally a standard, everyday uniform and a dress up uniform for sunday church services and special occassions. In recent years the uniforms have been simplified, but still tend to be involved thanthe state schools. The day schools were a little different. Often the boys were expected to dress up when coming and going to school. Thus theymight wear thir blazers more than the boys in boarding schools. This all varied from school to school. The state schools were more likely to have a simple basic uniform and no dress up uniform, although they might wear white shirts or blouses for special occassions. Here the primary and secondary schools were a little different as most state secondary school required uniforms.

Navigate the Relate Boys Historical Clothing Style Pages
[Main country page]
[Long pants suits] [Short pants suits] [Lederhosen] [Kneesocks] [Eton suits]
[Jacket and trousers] [Blazer] [School sandals]

Navigate Related HBC Pages
[Return to the Main Scottish School Page]
[Return to the Main School Page]
[Australia] [England] [France] [Germany] [Ireland] [Italy]
[Japan] [New Zealand] [Poland] [United States]

Navigate the Boys' Historical Clothing School Section
[Activities] [Chronology] [Clothing styles] [Countries] [Debate] [Economics] [Garment] [Gender] [Hair] [History] [Home trends] [Literary characters]
[School types] [Significance] [Transport and travel [Uniform regulations] [Year level] [Other topics]
[Images] [Links] [Registration] [Tools]
[Return to the Historic Boys' School Home]

Created: 10:30 PM 3/30/2017
Last updated: 10:30 PM 3/30/2017