Fly plaid advice.

[TheOfficialBren]

Accidental double posting.

[OC Richard]

True indeed that that writer seems to be mixing up what we would call a "Laird's Plaid" and a "Piper's Plaid".

The Laird's Plaid is a length of tartan folded and placed on one shoulder. A modern Piper's Plaid (called a "long plaid" in the old days) is pleated, with the pleats sewn in, and worn tightly wrapped around the body.

This distinction though is a modern one; piper's plaids in the old days weren't formally pleated but merely bunched around the body



and what's more it can be seen in The Highlanders of Scotland that at that time there wasn't a distinction between the Laird's and piper's plaid... many of the men are wearing something in between, a length of tartan loosely draped around the body

[Pleater]

As it has been mentioned, I'll add that a long plaid is a handy thing in bad weather, as water proofs can be cold - and can be forgotten if in a rush.

Unfolded and wrapped around, with the end as a hood, a long plaid can keep you warm even if totally saturated.

Anne the Pleater :ootd:

[MacRobert's Reply]

There is a lot of well-informed advice here. Most clergy in Scotland (me included) simply wear their clan tartan. Very rarely will you see anyone in a fly plaid. It is not done to mix tartans unless they are of the same clan or family. You will see tartan ties and tartan garter flashes worn but, IMHO, they are best avoided. However, tartan waistcoats and or hose are fine, especially for formal evening events.

I find that a clerical collar or celtic-cross kilt pin indicate my role when kilted. If you're a Presbyterian, you could use a 'clan' badge with the burning bush. I guess, apart from a collar or a cross, all the other 'clues' to being a minister when kilted are probably too subtle for most people to recognise. The only person I know who was able to identify the clergy tartan was also a clergyman!

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X Markers seem to love or hate the 'white' waistcoat in equal measure!

[David Thorpe]

X Markers seem to love or hate the 'white' waistcoat in equal measure!

I don't know that I would wear one, but you, Padre, are rockin' it!

[Father Bill]

Actually, I've had "clergy" tartan recognized a couple of times here in Canada in the couple of years I've worn it, and that rarely.