Belting the Plaid: How'd They Do It??

**MacMillan of Rathdown** · 6th August 09, 07:52 PM

This thread has raised a very good question:

What is the historical documentation that Highlanders lay on the floor and wrapped the paid around them? Piper's suggestion of doing it "standing up" actually seems to make a great deal more sense than the suggestion that the plaid was laid on a dirt floor, or on soggy grass, and wrapped about oneself like a giant beach blanket. Could it be this is just a myth, waiting to be busted?

**Nick the DSM** · 6th August 09, 08:21 PM

Well, did they do that everyday?

I've read that they would sleep in it even belted on and the next morning they got up and went about their business. Ofcourse I don't have backup on that...

**QMcK** · 6th August 09, 10:58 PM

They would probably have slept in the plaid, but I don't think they would have had it belted around them (except when they anticipated having to get up at the drop of a hat). I wouldn't want to sleep with something belted around me. But if you were used to it, you probably wouldn't even notice it.

**Morris at Heathfield** · 7th August 09, 03:38 AM

Matt Newsome has an article on evidence of the use of loops and drawstrings in belted plaids between the late 17th and early 19th centuries.

**Graywolf** · 8th August 09, 02:02 PM

Originally Posted by QMcK

They would probably have slept in the plaid, but I don't think they would have had it belted around them (except when they anticipated having to get up at the drop of a hat). I wouldn't want to sleep with something belted around me. But if you were used to it, you probably wouldn't even notice it.

I did it just last weekend at Bushy Run, PA - at a re-enactment of the Battle of Bushy Run. All I did was take my knife out of its sheath. Kept the kilt belted and just wrapped the excess around me. Wasn't uncomfortable, since it rained overnight, I was up and dressed in no time.