Well, thank you one and all for your advice. Deirachel, you are correct; I picked up a Rowenta hand steamer on the weekend and it does indeed dissuade you from using distilled water. I must say it is my new favourite toy. It did a nice job of taking the diagonal crease out of my centre pleat; which was the most offending of all the mess. Once I had done that, however, I still came to the conclusion that basting is the best option. Unfortunately the most offensive deviation is in the last sett of the pleat, and I can't hold them in place while I steam. So I'm going to baste and press.

QUESTION - since the kilt has not been laundered, and the majority of each pleat is still in line, is in necessary to baste in three sections or would one line of basting stitches at the very bottom of the kilt be sufficient?

Tess, thanks for the reminder about a pressing cloth.