Thats a Kicker..Malcolm has a point...Unless there is Group of Said "progressives" that want to shick around half undressed or what have the public would miss out...

Another thought

Missy Clark actualy hit me this yesterday...

There is alot of thought being put into dressing down camps
due to they are supossed to be campian camps...With that lodgic we also have to look at...Our events sometimes have to "repersent" a time period a few months and are actuly
a few different local's Not just camps...Some times Camps are used for Edinbrough ..Some times tent flys double for Lady Camerons hall...(if im incorrect in this let me know)
Not all of the places that we have held events have buildings are are suited  for such recreations...So should we do away those?

Colin is correct when he says that our camps often represent a number of different time periods in the campaign, and different elements of life during 1745 and so there is a need for a wide range of equipage.  That being said, the idea of having a simpler clan camp has its merits.  Yes, the public is attracted to tentage, as I think Malcolm mentioned,  but I think a contrast of the two styles (upper class and common) would have some educational merit and interest as well.
Oh and I do suspect that bedding down on straw alone could be arranged.

Chris

All,

At least a couple of us lads doing Arglye Militia at the Culloden event will be campaigning.  We plan on rolling in with nothing more than we can carry on our backs or stuff in our plaids.  And then just find a spot to crash.  Maybe get some straw to bed down on and roll up in our plaids.  We are going to cook with just a tin pot, if we cook at all, we might end up doing field rations and have precooked beef and bread with us.  if any other government troops are interested I'd like to hear from them. 

Perhaps if there are guys, Gov't and Rebels, that are interested in '45 campainging we can get together and talk about interest in that .  Cheers!

I Remain, &c.
Matthew Keagle

Matt,
I read a period item someplace (in Burt's "Letters" perhaps) that described clansmen in the field carrying little flat sheet-iron plates or griddles to cook oatcakes on....

It's great to see the progressive/campaigner movement appearing in 18th C. reenacting.  I've done CW infantry campaign-style for years, and it's very rewarding and instructive.  However, with age 49 fast approaching, I think my "hardcore" days are about over!

To quote Rob Roy in the movie: "I'm getting too old for this, lying wet-arsed on the heather."

Hi
before jumping up on my soap box I can only comment on things over here in GB. It may be very different in other parts of the world.
Not every one in the Jacobite army was a Highlander so not every one can wrap up in their plaids. Going on from that we don't have public around the site at night, so activities should be day based.
Our guys tend to just sit around the camp, but then we are blessed with having lots of visitors - unless it’s heaving it down with rain! The interaction with the public is never in 1st person. In my experience if you go down the first person route you'll loose your crowd in a matter of seconds as they'll have no idea what you are talking about.
Our camp set up is made up of a selection of different types of wedge tent, most of which have awnings. The latter are used because of our damp summers! Being C/O my own tent is a bit bigger and I have a very worn weathered made by me trestle table, a campaign chair (got that this winter and it is at least 150 years old), a leather covered chest, the Regt. Colour and nothing else. On the table I have maps, writing instruments, my log book, sealing wax, pipe etc. Essentially the basics. The guys round the camp have little in the way of furniture because they'd have no way of carrying it.
The cook area again is really basic, a couple of old trestle tables, iron cook ware, fire boxes (we have to have them). There is a canvas cover, again due to the weather. The camp is pretty sparse and IMO looks pretty good. I've visited other periods LH camps and they look like modern camps with canvas tents (not all I would add). The thing is, we don't have villages, farms and towns, so we create a look that the public can relate to whilst maintaining a high level of authenticity.
Perhaps my biggest bugbear is that people forget rank. One of my guys (who is ex real army) always takes his bonnet or hat off when he approaches me and keeps pointing out to the others that they should do the same. I don't play a Highland Chief but in general am the highest rank in the camp. We need to improve the "class" thing.
Last week end we had our first event of the year, the camp but really good. The women spent all their time cooking –authentic food. The guys were busy with the public, some asking history related questions, some asking about re-enactment in general.
We are not perfect and I have things we need to improve on:
Not smoking when families are in a confined space with us (awnings), one of our guys does this (clay pipe of course) and you can see the people back off.
Having camp guards all the time.
Not having people playing pipes near where some one is trying to talk to the public, its off putting and no one can hear what you’re saying.


Our problem of a few years ago was that when we did displays the Jaco’s didn’t want to wear jackets when it was hot, as I said then you don’t see the Redcoats in half kit. That problem is now resolved.