SCOTTISH Naval officers last night raised their glasses in celebration after being told that for the first time they would be officially allowed to wear kilts in their wardrooms.
Throughout the years officers of Scottish descent were ``fined'' a round of port for wearing their kilts socially in the Mess without permission.
However, in a wide-ranging review of naval uniform, which also announced a reprieve for the Royal Navy's famous bell-bottomed trousers, the kilt has been deemed a suitable form of dress.
The Scottish ancestry of the present First Sea Lord, Admiral Sir Jock Slater, who was born and educated in Edinburgh, is believed to have had a significant role in winning recognition for the kilt.
The Navy board said the practice of wearing the kilt was ``harmless, colourful and supported by several very senior officers''.
Regulations are to be changed to allow entitled officers to wear not only Scottish kilts but also Irish, Welsh, Cornish and Manx tartans in the Mess.
Commodore Eric Thompson, director of the HM Naval Base on the Clyde said he welcomed the official recognition of the kilt.
``It will be a great relief to many officers of Celtic descent that they will no longer be fined a round of port for being improperly dressed in the Mess.
``I do not, however, propose a definition for the requirements for undergarments.''
A senior naval officer said last night the move would make life easier for many Scots officers serving around the world.
He said: ``Although there was never an official ban, the kilt was frowned upon in some quarters.
``Despite that, we still wore our kilts despite the fact it cost us endless rounds of port. We will be raising our glasses in the Mess dressed in our kilts to celebrate the change.''
Scottish National Party chief executive Mike Russell welcomed the decision. ``When there is an independent Scottish navy, wearing the kilt will be compulsory,'' he joked.
The official recognition of the kilt is one of several changes contained in the Review of Royal Navy Clothing, led by Commander David Hobbs, project officer at the Defence Clothing and Textile Agency.
Some changes announced yesterday will save the Navy money. They include the decision to end the tradition of two patterns of naval jacket, one for officers and one for senior ratings. They will now all wear the officer-style jacket.
Navy-blue trousers for officers and senior ratings will be identical and a new raincoat will be designed to be worn by all ranks.
Trials are to be launched to replace the gold in officers' sleeve lace and on their caps with a synthetic material.
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