George VI and Edward VIII

[jesuisprest]

Hi, I have a current thread in kilt advice concerning an Edward VIII style jacket made by House of Labhran. I want to post a question in this section concerning the royal family wearing kilts. In this photo below Edward VIII and George VI are wearing similar outfits but I was wondering what they are wearing over their shoulders. Is it like a blanket or is it meant to be like a fly? It is not something that I have seen done very often and I wanted to know if anyone on here had any ideas.



Best,
Adam

[EagleJCS]

I believe those are known as "laird's plaids" (pronounced 'playeds'). Essentially, they're a convenient way to carry a blanket/lap throw but they're in the same tartan as one's kilt. They could also be used in a pinch as a shawl or "poncho" if the weather turned and one did not have the appropriate outerwear (overcoat/Inverness cape, etc.) to hand.

[figheadair]

I believe those are known as "laird's plaids" (pronounced 'playeds'). Essentially, they're a convenient way to carry a blanket/lap throw but they're in the same tartan as one's kilt. They could also be used in a pinch as a shawl or "poncho" if the weather turned and one did not have the appropriate outerwear (overcoat/Inverness cape, etc.) to hand.

Oh dear no. That's the gentrified, or Morningside/Kelvinside pronunciation of 'plad' as in lad which is the correct was to say it.

These garments are known Shoulder Plaids or Laird's Plaids and can be traced back to the Highland Revival era, possibly earlier. With a kilt, they are the top and bottom of a feileadh mor separated but still intended for the origianl use as a cloak.

[EagleJCS]

Oh dear no. That's the gentrified, or Morningside/Kelvinside pronunciation of 'plad' as in lad which is the correct was to say it.

Thanks for the correction.

[SouthofDayton]

OK.. this begs another question. Edward VIII abdicated in 1936. It appears that both kilts were above (v. mid-knee) the knee. Was this a matter of style and we have become more modest? Is it the photo and how they are walking?

[neloon]

Oh dear no. That's the gentrified, or Morningside/Kelvinside pronunciation of 'plad' as in lad which is the correct was to say it.

Trouble is, Peter, that we're all gentrified nowadays and I think the majority of Scots do say "played" even though "plaad" is more consistent with the Gaelic.

Alan

[jesuisprest]

Thank you, Peter and John, for clarifying that and everyone for your responses. I suspected that it might have had origins with the feileadh mor.

South of Dayton raises a good question about the style of the kilts pictured. Were they in fact worn slightly higher? I think that the overall look of how the royal family in the 1930s was wearing their kilts was great, certainly better than what we see offered in most shops nowadays!

Best,
Adam

[derosa]

To my eye they look to be about mid knee if only slightly higher, I'm not around enough/any kilted people to know what is truly common but it is where I wear mine as I find it the best local for being able to sweep it under me as I sit as my bigish bottom otherwise pulls the kilt up as I sit.

[davidlpope]

Oh dear no. That's the gentrified, or Morningside/Kelvinside pronunciation of 'plad' as in lad which is the correct was to say it.

These garments are known Shoulder Plaids or Laird's Plaids and can be traced back to the Highland Revival era, possibly earlier. With a kilt, they are the top and bottom of a feileadh mor separated but still intended for the origianl use as a cloak.

So Peter, just to clarify...

The correct way to pronounce the word plaid is "plad", rhymes with "lad"?

If so, millions of Americans were right, before they were told they were wrong....

[neloon]

I'm afraid that Peter is wrong !
The Scottish National Dictionary (which has to be the authority) says "played" or (in earlier times) "plyed"
PLAID, n., v. Also plaide, plade, playd-, pled-; plad; plide, plyde. Dim. plaidie, -y, plaithie (Edb. 1821 W. Liddle Poems 197).
[pled, ‡plɑed]
You can see from the variety of spellings how variations have arisen. Have just checked with my wife, who is the world authority on the Scots language, and she confirms this. At one time, the "plyed" pronunciation gave rise to the idea that the etymology was from "ply" rather than the Gaelic plaide pronounced "plaatchuh" = blanket.

Alan