At some point, not sure when, they started sewing a loop at the top edge of the plaid to attach to the epaulette button.
There's usually a little ribbon bow at that place on the plaid but it's nonfunctional.
Here's a dated Other Ranks kilt and plaid from the Seaforth Highlanders, Boer War period.
You can see how simple the plaid was made. I can't see the attachment in this photo. (Officer's plaids were much more elaborate affairs.)
This sort of plaid being worn.
This photo is unusual because it shows this simple Other Ranks plaid put through the epaulette and worn with a brooch
You could say "it must have been a Gordons thing" but here's another Gordon Highlander wearing the plaid in the usual way (that's his Glengarry ribbons in front)
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