Quote Originally Posted by Downunder Kilt View Post
From reading articles on the web i would suggest that the fly plaid is a rather modern invention, not much older than 30 years. I would therefore be hesitant in calling it tradtional. I conceed that the belted plaid and shepherds plaid are traditional as photos of such can be found going back 50years plus.

I personally don't like fly plaids, others do, but I don't think we can really refer to them as tradtional.
The illustrations from the 1960 edition of "Scottish Tartans and Highland Dress" all show fly plaids (though I admit the author refers exclusively to half-belted plaids). The fact that the illustrator had knowledge of fly plaids as early as 1960 means that this form of plaid is at least 50 years old.

Now, I know many people dislike the MacLeay portraits, but take a look at the fellow in the middle of this one:


He appears to be wearing a fly plaid prior to 1870.

If that's not enough to say they're "traditional", I don't know what is.