I think Jock's comments are quite useful in bringing us dreamers back down to Earth and reminding us of how harsh life was at a highly romanticized time.

However, to the majority of people living at that time, we would each be considered incredibly wealthy and privileged - after all, each of us has access to a computer and most of us probably even own one! I think that is much of the reason that we look to these pictures for inspiration; not because we think they're what everyone was wearing, but because the clothing depicted is (or could be with a little saving) within our means.
Is it perpetuating the romantic myth of the Victorian age? Most certainly. But that myth was being lived (at the expense of those less fortunate) by all those who could afford to, and in this age of comforts and technology, why not us?
I do think the reminder of the difficult life of the average Highlander of the time compared to the "social elite" can (and should) be seen as reminder that there are many in the world who are living in similar conditions today and perhaps lead us down more philanthropic paths than the elite of MacLeay's day... At least, that's the thought I had reading Jock's comments.

After all, I think we'd all agree that dressing in whatever rags we can manage to find isn't quite as much fun...