Shepherd's / Laird's / Day Plaid... with a backpack?

[CeilidhDoc]

A quick question for the forum rabble:

I have seen a number of fine examples of these plaids being worn on this forum and elsewhere, and while my initial impression was that they were quite dramatic and a throwback they seemed even less practical than a fly plaid because they would be heavy to carry around. But then the genius of our ancestors struck me in that not only was it a heavy blanket, so it would fly about in the wind less than a fly plaid (and my understanding is that the "fly" part of fly plaid actually has a different origin than the usage I just had for the word). It would also work like a warm coat when draped over the shoulder and wrapped about one's torso. And lastly (but the most genius IMHO) it can be used as a blanket to sit down on or even sleep on.

It is this last part that got me thinking that perhaps a Shepherd's Plaid could be very practical for picnics when walking on trails in the hills... except for one thing: How would you wear a backpack to carry your picnic supplies in while also comfortably wearing the plaid without it constantly falling off, or making the backpack awkward, or looking silly wrapped around the outside of the backpack?

Of course, if you had a mate to carry the backpack while you have the plaid that solves the problem. But suppose you go on your own? Or with your wife? A gentleman would surely not want his wife to carry all the picnic supplies.

Does anyone have any experience with this? How does one wear the ultimate highland picnic blanket while simultaneously hauling the picnic?

Slàinte!

[Steve Ashton]

In essence, a Laird's plaid is just that, a picnic blanket. They are not usually made out of kilt fabric but of heavy blanket fabric.
When you went to the Games you needed something the throw on the ground so your lady would not get grass stains on her dress.

[creagdhubh]

Along with several other Macphersons, I wear the day/shepherd's/Laird's/blanket plaid on occasion, but mainly at the Clan Macpherson Gathering and Rally in Newtonmore. I have worn the plaid at various Highland Games here in the US, but it's usually far too warm to carry. My plaid is made of 4 yards of heavyweight tartan (not brushed wool, or lambswool) with hand-purled fringe at its opposite ends. I fold the plaid in half lengthwise, then in half from top to bottom (doubled over), ensuring the fringed ends are lined up. Then I drape it over my left shoulder with the fringe in the front. No brooch is required. I find the plaid cumbersome without the use of my cromach, since the act of holding the stick helps keep the plaid in place and prevents it from falling off my shoulder whilst walking around and socialising.

Other than the plaid looking aesthetically pleasing when it comes to traditional Highland Dress, it's also rather functional. In times past, I have unfolded it and used it as a shawl when the weather has turned for the worse (though I will say that a good Barbour jacket fairs much better in a torrential downpour!). To address your question/concern, I have also used the plaid has a blanket at our clan's annual picnic beneath the towering, black crags of Creag Dhubh in Badenoch. For this, I completely remove the plaid from my shoulder and simply lay it on top of the picnic basket (yes, I carry the basket), then when ready, I unfold the plaid and lay it open upon the grass. If one is actually wearing a backpack, then I suppose the plaid can be strapped onto the outside somehow (perhaps rolled?), or still worn in the manner I described above, but just carefully held in place if need be. The plaid has many uses indeed, but for the vast majority of the time it's left draped over my shoulder.

[Galloglaigh]

After 11 attempts to register here under different names, we now have enough evidence to confirm that this is again Steven Aikens of Jasper AL. This time using an IP proxy in an attempt to hide his real location.

[creagdhubh]

Alternately you can carry them like this:

This is precisely what I was thinking when I mentioned, "rolled." Very smart.

[CeilidhDoc]

Thank you for your thoughtful and detailed (and fast!) reply Kyle!

I suppose if you have an actual picnic basket then folding on top of the blanket makes a lot of sense. The ony issue with that is that carrying a basket is not all that practical over long hikes up and down hills. How far are you walking with that basket filled with food and utensils and cups and plates and then covered in a heavy plaid? Sounds difficult!

A number of manufacturers now make these wonderful picnic backpacks and I have even seen some picnic satchels with shoulder straps but obviously when hiking a backpack is the easiest to carry... just not while also wearing a plaid I would think. But I have no experience with this at all so this is all hypothetical for me at this point. Perhaps my subconscious just wants to justify the purchase of yet another piece of highland kit but my wife and I are hikers when we get the chance and it would be nice to make it a more romantic picnic affair from time to time. Anytime I can also throw highland attire into the mix then all the better (when practical). I suppose the question is just how practical is it?

You have made a strong argument for the use of the plaid at games (love the tip about the cromach!) and when carying a basket... but for long hikes but I'm not as sure if the picnic food and supplies are in the mix.

Thanks again for sharing your experience!

Slàinte!

[CeilidhDoc]

And thank you Galloglaigh! Wow!

Yes, perhaps rolled under the backpack would be more practical in the setting of hiking than wearing the plaid about the torso if a backpack were required or practical.

Love the paintings! Somewhere Matt Newsome also has some great photos of wearing the plaid wrapped about the torso.

Slàinte!

[CeilidhDoc]

Kyle, if I may trouble you, do you have any recommendations for the height of the top of the crook / handle for a cromach when held vertically as far as relative to one's own height?

Is there a rule of thumb for how high up on one's body it should come?

I often see people leaning against them at an angle with the handle somewhere between the navel and the mid chest, or holding them upright and almost hanging off of them near shoulder height when they are that vertical. Having it come up high certainly would have the advantage of also pinning down the plaid when worn, but how long is practical? Do you have ones that have a joint in the middle that can be unscrewed for travel? A long cormach certainly would be tough to move form the USA to Scotland via airplane if it did not unscrew into shorter lengths.

Slàinte!

[creagdhubh]

Thank you for your thoughtful and detailed (and fast!) reply Kyle!

I suppose if you have an actual picnic basket then folding on top of the blanket makes a lot of sense. The ony issue with that is that carrying a basket is not all that practical over long hikes up and down hills. How far are you walking with that basket filled with food and utensils and cups and plates and then covered in a heavy plaid? Sounds difficult!

No worries!

Not very far at all, mate. I have seen the picnic backpacks you are referring to and they are quite nice. I would assume there could be enough room to place the blanket (plaid) in there? I know some are roomier than others. If not, then I think the rolled option (thinking along the lines of a how a sleeping bag and pad (Therm-a-Rest) are rolled and attached to external, and some internal frame backpacks) would be most ideal for what you're wanting to do.

[creagdhubh]

Kyle, if I may trouble you, do you have any recommendations for the height of the top of the crook / handle for a cromach when held vertically as far as relative to one's own height?

Is there a rule of thumb for how high up on one's body it should come?

I often see people leaning against them at an angle with the handle somewhere between the navel and the mid chest, or holding them upright and almost hanging off of them near shoulder height when they are that vertical. Having it come up high certainly would have the advantage of also pinning down the plaid when worn, but how long is practical? Do you have ones that have a joint in the middle that can be unscrewed for travel? A long cormach certainly would be tough to move form the USA to Scotland via airplane if it did not unscrew into shorter lengths.

Slàinte!

I was always told no higher than your sternum, so about mid-chest height when holding the crook and shaft straight in front of your body. I am 5' 10" tall and my rams horn cromach measures 53" from the very bottom tip of the brass ferrule, to the very top of the crook. No, all of my cromachs are of solid construction with no joint(s), but I have indeed seen sticks that unscrew into three pieces. I feel that would compromise the durability and strength of the stick, especially if you want to use it for more strenuous hill-walking. When I travel to Scotland, I typically borrow one of my cousin's many cromachs. If I ever wanted to bring one of my own, then I'd probably just ship it there, then ship it back home before leaving. That may sound a wee bit daft, but I've heard of crazier things!