Creag Nan Drochaid
Active member
- Joined
- Nov 5, 2009
- Messages
- 342
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- 42
I should have explained the great kilt better.
So, you have five yards of wool cloth 60" wide, lay it on the ground over your belt, and pleat it widthwise, leaving about 18" unpleated at each end. Then you lie down on the cloth with the edge at your knees, fold the ends over your front, buckle your belt, and stand up. Now there is about 30" of kilt hanging down loose from your belt around you, over the pleated part that looks like the modern kilt. You can pull the loose or free end of the cloth up over your head for protection from rain, or for sleeping. Normally you kinda roll it up and tuck the right end behind your belt, then draw the left end over your left shoulder and pin it to your jacket with a large round penannular brooch. Now you see why the modern kilt has replaced the ancient great kilt.
The bit about wrapping yourself in a wet kilt and letting your body heat keep you warm is more than a little puzzling. Let us recall that the Highlander at war carried oatmeal for food and plenty of whisky for warmth. Perhaps the idea was that wind doesn't penetrate frozen cloth as easily as dry cloth.
So, you have five yards of wool cloth 60" wide, lay it on the ground over your belt, and pleat it widthwise, leaving about 18" unpleated at each end. Then you lie down on the cloth with the edge at your knees, fold the ends over your front, buckle your belt, and stand up. Now there is about 30" of kilt hanging down loose from your belt around you, over the pleated part that looks like the modern kilt. You can pull the loose or free end of the cloth up over your head for protection from rain, or for sleeping. Normally you kinda roll it up and tuck the right end behind your belt, then draw the left end over your left shoulder and pin it to your jacket with a large round penannular brooch. Now you see why the modern kilt has replaced the ancient great kilt.
The bit about wrapping yourself in a wet kilt and letting your body heat keep you warm is more than a little puzzling. Let us recall that the Highlander at war carried oatmeal for food and plenty of whisky for warmth. Perhaps the idea was that wind doesn't penetrate frozen cloth as easily as dry cloth.