I've posted on this before, but with Lodge Ginan due to be consecrated next month and the lodge adopting Scottish style regalia I was asked again why Scottish aprons have a rounded neck.
One school of thought from the GLoS suggests that the Scottish Masonic apron, which has a rounded flap, is descended directly from the working Stonemason's apron.
Stonemasons sometimes wore a sheepskin as a protective apron during their work. The fleece was shaved giving a smooth side and rough side. The smooth side was worn next to the body and rough side out. The skin was fixed by means of a cord or belt around the waist.
When carrying stone or other hard or sharp objects the apron flap was fastened up to cover the chest area. When not doing that the top part of the skin (the sheep's neck) was unbuttoned and let drop over the cord/belt. That part of the exposed smooth side of the sheepskin could be used to clean working tools etc.
A good story and a logical one which I like to think may be correct.
Tried it with a sheepskin (fleece intact) and it does work.
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