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The screening of Braveheart has aroused great passions and many people have been inspired by the Scottish hero, William Wallace, who roused his countrymen against the fierce blast from the South - in the form of Edward Longshanks and his army. But it was the fierce blast from the North and from the East that inspired the Great Kilt - the plaid (or blanket) that the Highlander wore as protection from the biting cold and the damp which penetrated every bone and sinew of his body. This plaid came off the loom about twelve ells long. It would then be halved and stitched to form six ells of double-width material (an ell in Scotland was just over a yard). When it was worn it was pleated, or kilted, in order to provide a good thickness of material around the vital organs. It formed a very effective protection from the cold and could be drawn up over the head to keep out the wind and the rain. |
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It could also be readily discarded in the heat of the battle to allow greater freedom of movement and one battle in the 16th Century take its name from garment worn immediately under the plaid. This was the battle of "Blaire-na-Leine" (the Field of Shirts). This garment was the long-tailed shirt which the Highlander could tie between his legs, but history does not record what he wore underneath the shirt!
The Great Kilt as worn today is, more usually, made up from four to six yards of broadcloth between 56 and 60 inches wide.
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design , copy & copyright © 1996-2005 Douglas Gregor