Quote Originally Posted by Chris@southerncelt.com
Just in case you're all wondering what made the kilt get longer...

Many people have the conception that it was worn mid-thigh, but paintings from that area seem to place it more at an inch above the knee, so not so mini-skirt-like. Anyway, Queen Victoria once ruled that it was uncouth to show knee in the kilt, so they were lengthened to cover the knee. Pretty simple. And Bob's Your Uncle.
You should check out both the Muller woodcuts of the 43d on campaign in the 1740s and also the images that accompany Grant's 1757 Highland Military Discipline (Available on ebay all the time). This was way before Victoria, and some(Grant's) are very important as they show the wear of the kilt by the only folks who could leagally wear Highland Dress (the military)