Broadcloth in great kilts?

[tripod]

I read in the accounts from the 16th century onwards about the great kilt being used as a very effective weather protection. I wonder if this is due to the exceptional hardiness of those at the time or if the fabric used was actually broadcloth.

Not being an expert I would expect homespun and home weaving to produce a cloth that was looser in the weave and therefore susceptible to catching, as well as being less windproof. In the climate of the highlands a windproof garment would have been an essential. It would seem to my mind that the easiest way to provide a suitable cloth that was both more windproof and harder wearing would be to shrink it, a broadcloth. It might also help in the discussions of the cloth weight.

I'm not intending to make a broadcloth kilt (my sewing skills are just about suitable for buttons) but just for general interest.