Thank you for your input and information.

i have been reviewing a few more books since my first post and discovered a quote from Sgt James Anton, 42nd RHR, 1815, upon his return to Edinburgh; "It now consists of a yard and one quarter, a useless shred of cloth, like a child's pinafore reversed, and pinned to the back of the shoulder." And also a young Ensign Hackett, 1853, prior to leaving Portsmouth for Crimea; "with the feather bonnets, belted plaids hanging from the left shoulder....they did look very well indeed." i'm not entirely certain is Ensign Hackett is describing the same article as Sgt Anton.

i guess my interest lies with when the Highland regiments stopped using the great kilt, the +/- 8 yard double width plaid and began exclusively wearing the kilt which appears much as todays modern kilts.

Thanks much

Jacques