Great Kilt Weight

[Hamish]

Since the fabrics of those times were mostly homespun, I'd have doubted that weight would have been considered at all, and that they would have varied from one spinner/weaver to the next. Surely, it was just a matter of "we need more cloth so we'd better get weaving", and they would use whatever was available.

I know I am getting on a bit, but I don't actually remember much about that era!! ;) ;) ;)

[M. A. C. Newsome]

That was just my point about the weight probably varying, Hamish. It would be like asking today "what weight cloth are flannel shirts made in?" Well, whose shirt? I probably have three different weights hanging in my closet right now!

M

[Sir Robert]

Well we know several things:

The approximate size, 9 yards, which would likely be 4.5 yards of 25 inch wide tartan or solid color wool cloth doubled for about 162 inches by 50 inches.

We know that it was belted.

We can guess that it was NOT ultra heavy as that much material would be too heavy to wear as clothing.

Nor would ultra thin material have the warmth needed to keep a man warm while he slept on the ground in snow as we know they did.

That narrows it down to somewhere between 10oz and 22oz.

[Angus]

Well we know several things:

The approximate size, 9 yards, which would likely be 4.5 yards of 25 inch wide tartan or solid color wool cloth doubled for about 162 inches by 50 inches.

We know that it was belted.

We can guess that it was NOT ultra heavy as that much material would be too heavy to wear as clothing.

Nor would ultra thin material have the warmth needed to keep a man warm while he slept on the ground in snow as we know they did.

That narrows it down to somewhere between 10oz and 22oz.

I agree with that. If it was any heavier it would be very unfcomfortable to wear, and any lighter then it would be too cold.

That was just my point about the weight probably varying, Hamish. It would be like asking today "what weight cloth are flannel shirts made in?" Well, whose shirt? I probably have three different weights hanging in my closet right now!

Since the fabrics of those times were mostly homespun, I'd have doubted that weight would have been considered at all, and that they would have varied from one spinner/weaver to the next. Surely, it was just a matter of "we need more cloth so we'd better get weaving", and they would use whatever was available.

I know I am getting on a bit, but I don't actually remember much about that era!!

I never really thought about it that way, but it makes alot more sense now. Thanks for the insight.

Okay how about this: Two places and times, Winter in the highlands what would you wear? Heavy? Spring, but might get coolish at night, medium/light weight wool. Summer you might not wear the great kilt at all

Could or would a highlander have a couple different plaids? I often wondered about that but didnt think that they would cuz they were poor. Anybody have an answer to that, I'd really like to know.

[bubba]

I doubt they had more than one plaid. I expect the weather dictated how they wore it though. Col weather, over both shoulders and wrapped around loosely, cool weather, over one shoulder and pinned, warm weather, tucked into the belt and hanging down.

[Archangel]

Could or would a highlander have a couple different plaids? I often wondered about that but didnt think that they would cuz they were poor. Anybody have an answer to that, I'd really like to know.

Keep in mind the absolute poverty that most Scots in this time period lived in. There was terrible inflation and instability through the 1600 to late 1700. Few held any wealth and those who appeared rich owed big. Reference is Lynch's Scotland: A New History.

[Planopiper]

You likely can't duplicate the exact material of the ancient Scots' great kilts and what would be the point if you could? You want a garment that you can wear now. Regardless of what someone 300 years ago wore in Scotland, just find a weight that you're comfortable with and wear that. Someone in Michigan will want something different from what I would wear here in Texas. Both are just as valid.

[gmcdavid]

Someone in Michigan will want something different from what I would wear here in Texas. Both are just as valid.

Excellent point, although I think I would have been perfectly happy with a Texas-weight great kilt yesterday at the Minnesota Highland games. The temperature was about 93 F/34 C. Despite that, I had a great time.

Glenn

[Thistle Stop]

Okay how about this: Two places and times, Winter in the highlands what would you wear? Heavy? Spring, but might get coolish at night, medium/light weight wool. Summer you might not wear the great kilt at all.

Sounds logical, EXCEPT I pity the man going bare in a Scottish summer full of MIDGES!