Dave---the plaid was part and parcel of the original "kilt". The garment was , they say, donned by laying out the [ 7 yards?] of material on the ground, lying down on it and rolling over two or three times, standing up and throwing the unused length over the shoulder---that final action creating the "forerunner' of the Plaid. As to the "anything underneath" blathers, if ye fancy wearin' something to cover your equipment, go ahead! Ive worn a kilt, on and off [pun time!] for over fifty years, and the handy garment has been used as a kilt [!] a cold-weather cycling cape, a pillow and a handy "courting groundsheet". An' if oney o' youse bare-bummed zealots expect me tae sit up on a stage facin' an audience playin' a squeezebox an' tryin' tae keep ma knees thigither at the same time ye've anither think comin'!