I am going to wreck it, I'm sure...so I need help!

**Tobus** · 10th November 10, 11:27 AM

There is nothing more uncomfortable than wrapping up in a wet bedroll at night. You are likely to freeze your *** off, nothing less...or to put it another way, if there's bad weather, be smart and get out of it. Abandon the idea of wild shaggy Scotsmen stoically tramping over the moors through all manner of hell in their great kilts...if they had to do it, they probably weren't any more comfortable than anyone else would be in the same situation, and were probably thinking "only three more miles to the house!", which is what most people caught hiking in bad weather are thinking.

Good point. Despite historical references (i.e George Buchanan, 1581) describing men in belted plaids sleeping in the open, in snow, wrapped only in their wool plaids, it never says they were comfortable!

I do recall reading somewhere that men would intentionally dunk their plaids in a burn to soak them, and then wrap themselves up tightly for sleeping, so that the steam generated inside would keep them warmer than if they were dry. Does someone know the source of that? It might suggest that sleeping in a wet plaid could be preferable to a dry one.

**Chas** · 10th November 10, 11:52 AM

Originally Posted by Tobus

I do recall reading somewhere that men would intentionally dunk their plaids in a burn to soak them, and then wrap themselves up tightly for sleeping, so that the steam generated inside would keep them warmer than if they were dry. Does someone know the source of that? It might suggest that sleeping in a wet plaid could be preferable to a dry one.

With all respect, I think that is a sure fire method of getting hypothermia.

Energy can neither be created nor destroyed. If a human body cannot generate enough heat to keep itself warm, then reducing the insulation and allowing the heat to wick away from the body will not slow down hypothermia, but will in fact speed it up. The temperature of the human body, notably the extremities, reduces during periods of sleep due to immobility. Hastening that cooling removes heat from the core. Once a body core temperature dips below a certain temperature (varies from one person to the next) death will ensue unless radical rewarming, under medical supervision, is undertaken.

Regards

Chas

**Mike M.** · 10th November 10, 01:41 PM

Celtic Croft has a poly/viscose great kilt for about $200. That might serve the OP...though I have to echo the comments about trying to work with it in inclement weather.

**Whidbey78** · 10th November 10, 02:52 PM

As has been posted already, a regular kilt and some decent modern outerwear will probably be your best bet in the end. Here's how I see it...if those Highlanders could have had goretex jackets, waterproof boots, etc., they probably would have taken them in a heartbeat. On the same note, when people here in the states started heading west I'll bet they would have taken a Winnebago over a covered wagon!

If it's what you really want to do, go for it. I'm too old and battered and sore for that! Either way, good luck.

**MacLowlife** · 11th November 10, 12:34 PM

I expect we all select less and less uncomfortable forms of recreation as we age. And for those still eager to be in the elements, I agree, some of our eagerness is tied to better and better equipment. But part of the appeal of the outdoor life has always been "roughing it" even when that is merely a relative term ( two servants instead of three, cotton sheets instead of silk, etc.) SO, if you are intent on wearing a Great Kilt and then sleeping in it, I can only wish you All The Best. Do bear in mind that the difference in wrapping a 5 or 8 yard length of fabric over a 32 inch waist and wrapping it over a 48 inch waist is not really all that much. My flirtation with the GK led me to think in terms of the two aprons and the vast middle part, whether that was measured in inches, feet, or metres. When it is all said and done, the greatest virtue of the Great Kilt is its immense adjustability. I'd like to echo those who suggest that you start with some army blankets. You may even find something very close to Hodden Grey if you try. As for height, I expect the greatest disadvantage will show up when you try to roll up a six foot man in a five foot wide blanket, but that is why The Creator gave us geometry- just alter your orientation by 90 degrees and try again.

Other threads will give you a lot of good advice on managing the Great Kilt in general. If you are going to be hiking in it, I'd suggest you consider a handful of beltloops or maybe some form of drawstring discreetly sewn in to keep things from shifting. By all means, if you are going to be hiking in snow, wear at least one modern garment or people will be filming you and swearing you are a Yeti.

**wildrover** · 11th November 10, 12:45 PM

Originally Posted by MacLowlife

By all means, if you are going to be hiking in snow, wear at least one modern garment or people will be filming you and swearing you are a Yeti.

Or, you could bring a gorilla mask. I would do this in a heartbeat.

**Woodsheal** · 11th November 10, 02:00 PM

Good deal here on 18 oz. tartan:

http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f...-tartan-62586/

**Burly Brute** · 11th November 10, 10:10 PM

Wow, great replies all around! And some pretty histarical ones, also! Maybe Yeti is my goal? lol

I definately take head to the bit about knowing my area, living in Arizona I have the ability to go from desert valley, to high desert, to forests in the matter of hours. Along with that, the temperatures out here can be highly unpredictable. I can calm some of your nerves by isuring you I am no crazy, unexperienced guy! Although I am no expert, I do have common sense and quite a bit of experience. I just wanted to make sure you guys knew I wasn't going to just go out in the middle of the night, eat some ground squirrel, wrap up in my wool, get poured on by rain, and freeze to death lol.

That being said...

I will definately take into consideration all these great replies, and depending on what I decide I will definately take pictures ;-)

Thanks to you all!

God bless,

Zach

**wildrover** · 12th November 10, 02:48 PM

I've heard squirrel is gamey...rabbit is far better. You, my friend, sound like you could appreciate the value of an Izula dubh

.

**Woodsheal** · 12th November 10, 04:12 PM

Originally Posted by wildrover

I've heard squirrel is gamey...rabbit is far better. You, my friend, sound like you could appreciate the value of an Izula dubh

.

I like squirrel better than rabbit, myself. As kids, we would hunt them, skin them, build a fire and cook them right on the spot in the woods. Tasty!

BTW, wet wool blankets and plaids WILL keep you warm on a cold night, as I've discovered at reenactment events when all of my kit has been caught in torrential downpours. But, you must wring them out so that they're not dripping wet. The moisture causes the wool to "swell", or increase its loft (rather like when a knit bonnet is felted), and it retains more body heat. But, you have to wrap up in it naked, or your other non-woolen clothes will get wet - thus defeating the purpose....