"Day plaid"?

[jhockin]

When out walking in rough country, most of us are sensibly dressed!

which is exactly why I'm asking "just wondering if anyone has any experience of actually using a "day plaid" (as in wearing wrapped around themselves), while walking through the forest/bush? I would guess that having the long fancy tassels would tend to get caught on branches, etc. a LOT! Wouldn't a "practical" version have a shorter 'frayed edge"?" .. or, are you implying that wearing a kilt, "in the bush" is not practical?

[Arlen]

I've done it even in thick forest and it doesn't get caught any more than regular clothing. And I was a lot warmer than in my goretex jacket the day before!

[Pleater]

Not exactly traditional in the sense being used here, but the long length of material I use as a plaid is not fringed - the ends are cut across but they have not frayed.

It is a really handy item when walking as it can be adjusted to allow for more airflow or wrapped for greater insulation or cover from a shower without having to stop and take off the pack.

When cold I can drape a length down my back and put my backpack on over the top of it, so it is held close around the body. The rest can then be wrapped around either under or over the arms, shoulders, head, in whatever way gives the greatest comfort.

When raining the plaid can be deployed quickly over all parts - if arranged over the top of a backpack it tends to divert the water away for some time.

It could - particularly if dark in colour, be treated with water repellent substances, from natural lanolin to high tech proofing sprays which enhance the protection it provides. I haven't tried this with a plaid but have used various stuff on jerseys and jackets, and it does make a considerable difference to the amount of water getting through, and the amount of water held by the fabric. I might do this for whatever I take on my week in Devon next August - it is almost guaranteed that it will rain on several days and whilst I was warmer than most this year, I was definitely wet - and I am not getting any younger.

When having photos taken the plaid wearers were probably not being subjected to inclement weather, so the plaids were likely just as taken folded from the car or drawer - or even servant - and having been laid over the shoulder not subjected to anything more than a stroll on level ground.

Anne the Pleater :ootd:

[Jock Scot]

Scotland is not as thickly forested as North America and the undergrowth is not as daunting due to the cooler climate. The folded shoulder plaid originated as a shepherd's garment, and they are worn (more or less ceremonially) by clan chiefs in their role as the shepherd of the clan (same with the cromach or cruik). Today, most hunters in scotland are more apt to wear a Barbour jacket than a shoulder plaid, but here is an artistic interpretation of how they were worn by 19th century hunters:

To avoid any trans Atlantic misunderstandings here. In the UK hunting takes place with a pack of hounds and the the followers are usually, but not always, mounted on horseback and until very recently no firearms are involved.Shooting is a general term, but shooting generally implies the use of a shotgun and deer stalking, or stalking as it is usually known, implies the use of a rifle. Interestingly, the use of bow and arrow is illegal here, for the taking of game.

[creagdhubh]

Seems to me like it might have been more common "back in the day."



It also seems to me like just one more thing to keep track of, but in a cold climate, I can see how it might be practical to have something you quickly and easily adjust according to need.

Regards,
Rex.

Excellent photo!

[JSFMACLJR]

One thing I had never given much thought to in the picture of my father at the Argyllshire Gathering is that the plaid was worn by boys his age (around 11 or 12) and old men alike.

[HarborSpringsPiper]

One thing I had never given much thought to in the picture of my father at the Argyllshire Gathering is that the plaid was worn by boys his age (around 11 or 12) and old men alike.

If I may ask, which one is your father?

[BoldHighlander]

Well yes, I own one and I have just dug it out of the trunk that it has been resting in for the last umpteen years. No moth holes either, but the stink of moth balls is pretty powerful! Anyway I have just measured it for interest sake and it is: 54 inches wide and just under four(12ft) yards long. At a guess it is 16oz possibly 18 oz kilt type cloth of "modern" hue and I would guess that it is at least 70 years old.I would quite happily(if I was able to keep it in place, that is!) carry it wearing my "ancient" hued kilt. Yet again, we here do not bother with all this matching up carry-on, as long as the clan tartan is the same, the hue matters not one bit. If you don't believe me, find some pictures of the Atholl Highlanders, you will see at least three variations of colour of the same clan tartan.

Jock,
do all day/Laird's plaids have fringe on the ends? Or does it really matter?
Just curious.

[Jock Scot]

Jock,
do all day/Laird's plaids have fringe on the ends? Or does it really matter?
Just curious.

Well mine certainly has a platted fringe each end and from memory they were all that way. If you look at Sandy's super picture, as far as I can see, they are all platted too. Does it matter? No I don't think so. I think, from a general wear and tear point of view, platted ends will make sense if you are going to use the plaid often.

[JSFMACLJR]

If I may ask, which one is your father?

My father is the boy standing fourth from the left, talking to Campbell of Airds. My father is wearing a MacLean hunting tartan kilt.