5yds-v-8yds

**Robbie** · 27th February 04, 05:17 PM

There has been considerable debate on the relative merits of the 5 and 8yd kilts.

If you consider the original kilt (aka the great kilt), it was made from a single piece of approx 8yds of wool, just over half of which was wrapped round the waist to form the kilt part with the remainder worn round the upper body. Eventually the 2 parts started to be worn separately as kilt and plaid, so the 4/5yd is probably more authentic in strictly historical terms. There is no real documentation on how this then developed into the 8yd kilt, but the most logical reason I have heard is that clan chiefs and gentry sought a superior quality kilt to denote their higher social standing and used longer pieces of material, eventually creating the 8 yarder which, of course, the lower orders then aspired to.

In terms of fit, appearance, "swing" etc the hand-sewn 8yd is far superior to the machine-made 4/5yd, but against that the 4/5yd is much less expensive and therefore for a lot of people more likely to be worn casually (risk of damage to the kilt balanced by potentially far less damage to the bank balance), leaving the more expensive 8yd for semi-dress/formal occasions. However, one of the principal downsides to this convenient arrangement is that, being approx. half the weight, the 4/5yd "lifts" much more readily in a wind.

**elijah** · 27th February 04, 05:20 PM

I wear my 8 yarder all the time, however I doubt I'll be able to wear 22 oz wool much longer.

**Robbie** · 27th February 04, 05:32 PM

Like yourself, Elijah, I prefer the 8yarders (moneybags), but I do have a lighter 5yd for hiking, hillwalking etc in the summer months.

22oz is a VERY heavy kilt - it must be extremely cold where you are.

Chris@southerncelt.com · 27th February 04, 08:42 PM

Hey Robbie, I think you made a typo.

If you consider the original kilt (aka the great kilt), it was made from a single piece of approx 8yds of wool,

Judging by the rest of your post, you meant to say something other than "8yds"? Perhaps 6? As that is what all my research has turned up on the great kilts.

**elijah** · 27th February 04, 09:30 PM

Originally Posted by Robbie

Like yourself, Elijah, I prefer the 8yarders (moneybags), but I do have a lighter 5yd for hiking, hillwalking etc in the summer months.

22oz is a VERY heavy kilt - it must be extremely cold where you are.

It's not actually that cold, but it sure does warm me up.

**Robbie** · 28th February 04, 02:16 AM

Hi Chris -

Yes, I missed a step out. Back in the 15/16/17 centuries weaving, like virtually everything else, was a cottage industry and the primitive hand looms then could only weave cloth in 30-36inch widths. In order to make a great kilt, a length of 8-9 yards was bought, cut lengthwise and joined together to make one piece 60-72ins wide and 4-4.5yds long. If this join separated you are left with the 2 original pieces to form a 4-4.5yd kilt and same sized plaid.

Chris@southerncelt.com · 28th February 04, 10:56 PM

Wow... That's something interesting I didn't know. About the weaving. May come in handy someday. I do work in the theatrical costuming business after all.

**caig** · 2nd March 04, 03:50 AM

I wear a 4 yard "hillwalker" from Hector Russell in Edinburgh for everyday wear ( indoor and outdoor) but it does not swing very well. It is VERY light in a wind !

I have 4 6-yarders, some tartan some plain colours, which are a good compromise - they swing well and are not too light. Good in the summer.

I have walked the West Highland Way in the hillwalker, and it was perfect. I have done part of the Way in winter in the hillwalker, and did not get cold.

**Robbie** · 2nd March 04, 01:10 PM

That's very interesting, Acaig. The HR hillwalker kilt has only, what, 6 or 7 deep pleats and whilst obviously any kilt with so few pleats will hardly swing at all, I've always assumed that because of this low number it would be much less prone to lifting in the wind.

The 5yarder I wear for hiking, hillwalking etc came from 21st Century Kilts, has an excellent swing for a lightweight kilt and is not particularly prone to lifting - I have only been caught out once and even then that was only under an unusual combination of circumstances creating an exceptional and unexpected updraft which would probably have lifted any kilt.

**caig** · 2nd March 04, 01:32 PM

Yes, the hillwalker pleats are very wide, and it does not swing well. The lightness makes it extremely comfortable.

I am loking to get a new 6 yarder and I discovered today that Howie Nicolsby does one for £175.00 which is not bad.

I do enjoy hillwalking in a kilt andperhaps you mioght let me know when you are going out walking, if you may want some company for the day.

ALAN CAIG