Highlanders & Hanoverians - New to this stuff...interested in putting a kit to

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New to this stuff...interested in putting a kit to (Read 7120 times)

04/20/04 at 14:03:15

jkonkapot Offline
Member
I love YaBB 1G - SP1!

Posts: 1

Hi,

My name is John, age 32, live in Deerfield,MA. I do a Native impression for late 17th 0mid 18th C. I am interested in doing an early 18th C Scot portrayal as well, someone of the lower level of society...i would be interested in learning more about the proper plaids, shirts, equipment. Want a basic portrayal, as I am short on the green backs...If there is anyone in my area that has a unit or can offer guidance, would be appreciated--Thanks....(other email ... jkonkapot@yahoo.com)

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Reply #1 - 04/20/04 at 17:36:03

Rick Backus Offline
Member
The Highlands of West Virginia

Posts: 15

Hey John,

This web site is a perfect place to start!

Rick

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Reply #2 - 04/20/04 at 17:36:59

Rick Backus Offline
Member
The Highlands of West Virginia

Posts: 15

Lets see John, maybe I should put the site on here too!

Rick

http://clan_donnachaidh.tripod.com/

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Reply #3 - 04/20/04 at 19:43:48

Brian Carpenter Offline
Unit Commander
Port Crane, NY

Posts: 237

Hi, John!

A Highland commoner's kit is really quite easy to assemble (see article "Your 1740's Highland Impression" on the website Rick gave you): a knee-length linen shirt, a 4.5 yard plaid in a muted tartan (bright dyes were expensive), a knitted bonnet, stockings, a plain waistcoat or jacket, footwear - and you're there! (Center-seam moccasins without the side flaps or any decoration work fine as Highland "currans", too.)

For a good group to join in New England, contact the mistress of this Forum...!

"You will be a brother to pirates and corsairs" -from the Old Charges of Freemasonry

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Reply #4 - 04/22/04 at 14:06:20

Webmaster Emeritus Kitty Offline
Webmaster
Unit Commander
Board Moderator
"Baltan nan Griogarach"

Posts: 167

Sorry, I've been out of my office all week (and next week isn't looking much better), so I will defer these questions to the proper authorities, who may have more time to answer than I currently do.

I'll just point to:

http://www.kezarcelts.net/glencarnoch
and
http://www.historichighlanders.com

The former is strictly a Highlanders & Hanoverians group, the latter a living history group that's not involved with reenactment (they mostly do lecture/demos at Highland Games in New England). If you don't have luck with either of those routes, drop me a note and I'll rattle some cages (my internet access is a bit sporadic right now, but I do try to check my email once a day regardless)

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Reply #5 - 04/22/04 at 15:39:41

Alex Good McCracken Offline
Unit Commander
Part of a rebel alliance...
Columbus, Ohio

Posts: 129

Howdy John,

What Brian said, as well as his site, pretty much
covers it all. Great kilt, bonnet, shirt, waistcoat (vest),
hose and brogues (or barefooted if you're going to
portrey someone REALLY poor), and might I add to
Brian's list one more must-have, that being a dirk.
No Highlander, rich or poor, would be caught dead
without his "holy iron".

Some cautions. Make sure your greatkilt is REAL wool,
and not a blend. Sitting next to a fire and having a spark
melt the oil-based material onto your leg isn't cool. Don't
get one of those wide-collared shirts that are advertised
as "Jacobite" shirts. Order from someplace on Brian's
list or ask for help. And finally, make sure you don't
mix-and-match levels of opulance. If you're going to
do a poor bloke, you're not going to need an expensive
basket hilt sword because that class wouldn't have had
one.

Other than that, good luck!

Alex

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Reply #6 - 04/23/04 at 23:05:29

cmarrinan Offline
Member
yarghhh

Posts: 30

just to add to what has been said, it is not always necessary to purchase an expensive broad sword. we use wooden safety weapons in our mock battles. i don't usually encumber myself with the real blade for entire length of events, but it is nice for displays. these safety weapons can look like the real thing and the public may never know. the look of fear on the hanoverian's face as i threw my blunt wooden dirk at him, at our bedford event, was evidence enough for me of this. the pole arm is another wonderfully easy and cheap option for a rear-ranker.

until culloden,
Carey

p.s. brian, i'd fogotten what a wonderful site we have.

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Reply #7 - 04/24/04 at 13:06:05

Caerlaverock Offline
Senior Member
I love YaBB 1G - SP1!
Riverdale, Md.

Posts: 63

Who makes these blunt wood weapons? I have a steel theatrical hanger. Too bad they don't allow these as they have no edge.

Ted Yeatman

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Reply #8 - 04/24/04 at 16:10:38

cmarrinan Offline
Member
yarghhh

Posts: 30

there usually is at least one person selling them at the events. most are just wooden blades with a leather "basket." i made my own, but haven't seriously looked at selling anything. there are probably people willing to make them for you. the problem with blunted blades is they're still dangerous! i've been hit with one before and it hurts a lot (sadistic older brother), bones can also be broken. there is also the factor that we charge men fighting with muskets which they generally use to block cuts. i know i'd be upset if someone hacked at my precious with their non-wooden blade especially if it was damaged.

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