Historical Use of Plaid with Little Kilt?

[Jumpmonkey]

I'm wondering if we have any knowledge of the historical use of the plaid with the small kilt. Today, we wear it occasionaly, as a matter of pomp and ceremony. Certainly the sight is stunning. But was there a point, when the plaid was worn, if you will, "with purpose" along with the small kilt, used as an extra layer of protection against the weather? Do we have any examples of its usage (written or painted), as perhaps cloak or cape?

[figheadair]

This extract from a watercolour from 1749 by Paul Sandby of a View near Loch Rannoch appears to show two mean wearing the feileadh beag and little plaid.

[Tobus]

But was there a point, when the plaid was worn, if you will, "with purpose" along with the small kilt, used as an extra layer of protection against the weather? Do we have any examples of its usage (written or painted), as perhaps cloak or cape?

I'm fairly certain that a lot of the R.R. McIan prints depict plaids being worn as protection against the weather. These were highly romanticised, to be sure, so take it for what it is. These were published in 1845 as a commemmoration of the 1745 Jacobite Rebellion. Some of them appear to depict great kilts with the upper portion worn as cloaks, but some clearly seem to be little kilts with separate plaids. You might browse through those online.

This is one that seems to be a separate plaid.

[Allan Thomson]

The Highland Regiments wore them in the Belted Plaid fashion with the Phillabeg at times in the mid to late 18thC.