Howdy from Houston

**oscagne** · 11th November 08, 06:08 AM

I already posted once, asking for criticism of an article I'd done. Since then I've lurked all across the xmarks board, and figured I might as well do a formal intro.

I'm Joe McGrew and I mostly get the opportunity to wear kilts for my historical recreation in the SCA, where I go by Gregor Mac Beathain (to pay homage to my grandfather's McGregor descendancy and my grandmother's McBean). I don't really have any modern kilt gear, but I think I'm going to rectify that. I'll include a couple shots of my kit so I can stick in my bonafides:

This is my soft kit, for dressing up and/or partying in:

This is what I've been fighting in, though the wee kilt is out of period for the Society - but I can't see myself fighting in 99 deg. weather in 9 yards of draped wool:

I'm working on a historical Scottish hard kit to fight in, but I need money for that and money does its own thing sometimes.

Anyway, I'll be going to the St. Andrew's night at St. Arnold's Brewery here in Houston tonight. Anyone else going?

**McFarkus** · 11th November 08, 07:49 AM

from Chicago. If you check out the Scottish Tartan Museum site (http://kilts.albanach.org/history.html) you'll find that four yard box-pleat may be more authentic than the eight or nine yard knife pleat.

**Mael Coluim** · 11th November 08, 07:51 AM

from the Old Dominion State!

Good to have you aboard, Joe! You guys celebrate St. Andrews Day a little early.

**oscagne** · 11th November 08, 08:04 AM

Actually, according to the same Matt Newsome, the belted plaid is the only kilt appropriate for the time period pre-1600. In the link you provided, the cites went no earlier than the late 1700s and referred to the original tailored kilts.

Here's Mr. Newsome's article with the belted plaid mention:
http://www.albanach.org/kilt.html

And my article that I mentioned I had already posted here:
More than you ever wanted to know about the kilt in the 1590s

But I am planning to get a decent phillabeg and some hose for modern kilted occasions.

**oscagne** · 11th November 08, 08:09 AM

Originally Posted by Mael Coluim

from the Old Dominion State!

Good to have you aboard, Joe! You guys celebrate St. Andrews Day a little early.

I don't know why the Houston HGA chose 11/11, unless 11/30 just falls too close to our Thanksgiving, but any excuse to kilt up is a good one.

**Cynthia** · 11th November 08, 08:28 AM

Hello from a fellow Texan!

I wanted to get involved with the SCA and tried to tempt my hubby with various personas and garb he would have liked, but he just wasn't interested unfortunately. Ah well

I don't think I'd have as much fun doing it without him, so I just enjoy looking at photos others post.

Have fun!