The Highland Plaid
Scottish Country Dance InstructionTHE HIGHLAND PLAID (Tartan Plaidie) (S8x32) 2C (4C set) William Campbell RSCDS Book 7
1- 8 1s+2s cross RH and cross back RH
9-16 1s+2s dance RH across and LH across back to places
17-24 1s lead down the middle and back to top
25-32 1s+2s dance Allemande
(MINICRIB. Dance crib compiled by Charles Upton, Deeside Caledonian Society, and his successors)
Keith Rose's Crib Diagrams
Dance InformationThe Plaidie or feile-mhor is basically a large blanket-like piece of fabric which is wrapped around one's body with the material pleated or, more accurately, loosely gathered and secured at the waist usually by means of a belt. Typically, a portion of the belted plaid hangs down to about the knees with the rest of the material being wrapped up around one's upper body in a variety of ways and pinned or otherwise secured to keep it in place.
The belted plaid was a standard item of men's Highland dress from the late 16th century until the middle of the 18th century. It was also the precursor of the modern tailored kilt.
Dance information licensed under this Creative Commons Licence 3.0.
Text from this original Belted Plaid article on Wikipedia.
Image copyright David Ball.