Sorry this has gone so slowly, and probably boringly. I'm actually putting this together during breaks from digging a compost trench in my backyard. 
I just find it interesting how people of the past viewed and had a sense of their history; as well as, how it differs from our own sense of history.
MacLean in the passage I referenced writes:
[...] Until quite recently it was believed that the plaid, philibeg and bonnet formed the ancient garb. The philibeg or kilt, as distinct from the plaid, in all probability, is comparatively modern. The truis, consisting of breeches and stockings, is one piece and made to fit closely to the limbs, was an old costume. The belted plaid was a piece of tartan two yards in breadth, and four in length. It surrounded the waist in great folds, being firmly bound round the loins with a leathern belt, and in such manner that the lower side fell down to the middle of the knee joint. The upper part was fastened to the left shoulder with a large brooch or pin, leaving the right arm uncovered and at full liberty. In wet weather the plaid was thrown loose, covering both shoulders and body. When the use of both arms was required, it was fastened across the breast by a large bodkin or circular brooch.
Right after this, he quotes descriptions of Highland attire from, Burt's Letters from the North of Scotland.
I located that at Internet Archive, and here is the download page.
http://www.archive.org/details/burtslettersfrom01burt
That might be interesting to go through.
Originally Posted by PEEDYC
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