Day/Laird's Plaid

[BobsYourUncle]

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http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f...y-plaid-45605/
http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f...-plaids-45488/
http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f...y-plaid-54361/

The second and third threads listed above both refer to Matt Newsome's blog entry about laird's plaids, found here: http://kiltmaker.blogspot.com/2008/0...ats-plaid.html.

Monkey at Arms and Thistledown have correctly pointed out that the broach is not worn with the laird's plaid, only with a piper's plaid or a fly plaid. If you want instructions on how to wear a piper's plaid, they can be found in the manuals of the Regimental Drum Major's Association Pipe Band Dress Manual, here in PDF: http://drummajor.net/documents/RDMADressManualv2_5.pdf

The Appendix has a description and photos about how to tie it on and pin the broach, but you have to go all the way to the end of the document.

If I may, even though I have actually worn a fly plaid to formal evening events, I felt it a bit naaf and was self conscious about it, and I don't do it regularly. Our Scots members can speak for themselves, but the impression I get from comments in other threads on this forum is that to a Scot's eye and sensibility, the fly plaid is not really a correct item of Scottish dress, is a bit of a kilt rental shop invention, is a bit overly affected, and is best not done.

Having offended many, I am sure, I will apologize in advance...but I feel that a bit of a warning is in order here...Cheers, BYU

[Cygnus]

If I may, even though I have actually worn a fly plaid to formal evening events, I felt it a bit naaf and was self conscious about it, and I don't do it regularly. Our Scots members can speak for themselves, but the impression I get from comments in other threads on this forum is that to a Scot's eye and sensibility, the fly plaid is not really a correct item of Scottish dress, is a bit of a kilt rental shop invention, is a bit overly affected, and is best not done.

Having offended many, I am sure, I will apologize in advance...but I feel that a bit of a warning is in order here...Cheers, BYU

My thought on the fly plaid is that it should only be worn if you want to draw as much attention as possible to yourself. Situations where this would be done are few and far between, of course (e.g., as the groom at a wedding).
I don't get the impression that they're greatly maligned, just little used for the reason above. I, for one, would be quite embarrassed if I showed up to a wedding in a fly plaid if the groom himself weren't wearing one or if none of the other guests were.

I like the look of fly plaids and plaids in general, but they do seem like they'd be quite a nuisance to wear.

[Geoff Withnell]

My thought on the fly plaid is that it should only be worn if you want to draw as much attention as possible to yourself. Situations where this would be done are few and far between, of course (e.g., as the groom at a wedding).
I don't get the impression that they're greatly maligned, just little used for the reason above. I, for one, would be quite embarrassed if I showed up to a wedding in a fly plaid if the groom himself weren't wearing one or if none of the other guests were.

I like the look of fly plaids and plaids in general, but they do seem like they'd be quite a nuisance to wear.

I wondered myself how much bother a day plaid would be. I recently bought a USAK Casual in Albannach tartan. Michele loved the tartan, so we bought some material from Rocky and Michele made herself a skirt and sash. She had lots of material, so she made me a plaid, about 40" x 60". We went to the PA Ren Faire this weekend. Albnnach was playing, so of course we wore the new outfits. It was just a little cool, so I wore the plaid over my shoulder all day. I'm told it looked good by several people (including Jamesie!). Wasn't any bother at all.

I know, I know... photos coming when I can download the camera.

Geoff Withnell

[McConnell Mor]

My thoughts on the subject of the fly plaid are thus. I believe if not mistaken that the fly plaid came about only as a modern version of the old Great Kilt or Feile Mor as the "Fashion" of wearing the Kilt and Tartan was revived in the 19th Century. It was an invention so to speak. When and where regulations were placed on the fly plaid and its wear is a question for the experts if even they could answer that one. I do think that the wearing of the fly plaid with a tee shirt or other attire is quite ridiculous, I dont knock anyone for its wear with a Tweed Kilt Jacket whether or not it be a "formal" occasion such as a wedding. The Macdonald in the above picture from the late 19th Century seems to be wearing one, and does not look like he is headed to a wedding anytime soon unless he expects trouble. Just a thought.

[Jock Scot]

[QUOTE=McConnell Mor;923703]

My thoughts on the subject of the fly plaid are thus. I believe if not mistaken that the fly plaid came about only as a modern version of the old Great Kilt or Feile Mor as the "Fashion" of wearing the Kilt and Tartan was revived in the 19th Century. It was an invention so to speak. When and where regulations were placed on the fly plaid and its wear is a question for the experts if even they could answer that one. I do think that the wearing of the fly plaid with a tee shirt or other attire is quite ridiculous, I dont knock anyone for its wear with a Tweed Kilt Jacket whether or not it be a "formal" occasion such as a wedding. The Macdonald in the above picture from the late 19th Century seems to be wearing one, and does not look like he is headed to a wedding anytime soon unless he expects trouble. Just a thought.[/QUOTE


Oh how I am getting to dislike that series of pictures! They ought to come with a warning that the feet need to be placed firmly on the ground, heads must be removed from the clouds and the rose tinted spectacles must be removed before looking at them!

[BoldHighlander]

Oh how I am getting to dislike that series of pictures! They ought to come with a warning that the feet need to be placed firmly on the ground, heads must be removed from the clouds and the rose tinted spectacles must be removed before looking at them!

Or that they are what they are, primarily paintings of the Queen Victoria's Highland retainers wearing their best ceremonial dress, NOT everyday clothing of the average Highlander!

[Andrew M. Stewart]

If I may, even though I have actually worn a fly plaid to formal evening events, I felt it a bit naaf and was self conscious about it, and I don't do it regularly. Our Scots members can speak for themselves, but the impression I get from comments in other threads on this forum is that to a Scot's eye and sensibility, the fly plaid is not really a correct item of Scottish dress, is a bit of a kilt rental shop invention, is a bit overly affected, and is best not done.

Having offended many, I am sure, I will apologize in advance...but I feel that a bit of a warning is in order here...Cheers, BYU

No offense taken but when you look at the tartan history books the whole notion of wearing ones "Clan Tartan" its all a fairly resent invention from the late 18th century.
I wear a fly plaid when I'm piping for a black tie occasion. It's got an old school look to it that I like when it's done right. I took this picture in front of a mirror so keep in mind that it's backwards.


Here is Archie MacNeil, The famous blind piper, wearing a fly plaid.


Here is John MacDonald of Inverness (A god to serious pipers) wearing a fly plaid.



Here is Robert Nicol, one of the Famous Bobs of Balmoral. (Royal Pipers) wearing one.



and in this picture is G.S. McLennan, a genius of a composer, and my hero. I think he's wearing one as well but I could be wrong.



As I said, no offense taken at all but I think that when it's worn right ie: good quality tartan not hire shop light weight fabric it can look good.

[Andrew M. Stewart]

Here is the great piper Malcolm MacPherson otherwise known as Calum Piobair wearing a day plaid.

[creagdhubh]

Here is the great piper Malcolm MacPherson otherwise known as Calum Piobair wearing a day plaid.

Good ole Calum - he has a wonderfully made cairn in Badenoch near Cluny castle - where he was personal piper to Cluny during the mid to late nineteenth-century. His pipes are at the Clan Macpherson Museum and House in Newtonmore.

[Andrew M. Stewart]

His pipes are at the Clan Macpherson Museum and House in Newtonmore.

Really! i didn't know that. It's too bad that they aren't being played by someone, pipes die when they are left to dry out. Any idea who the pipe maker was?