Feileadh Mor tartan as camouflage?

[Sir William]

The concept of camouflaged uniforms pretty much dates from the mid-19th century when British and Indian troops were issued khaki uniforms. Granted, there were a few military units that adapted green as it aided concealment, such as the Rifle Regiment Rifle Brigade, the US Sharpshooters, Hessian Jaegers, and others who had the role of skirmishing with enemy troops to give their own forces time to get sorted out. But these were the exceptions, not the rule.

That said, some years ago when I was a reenactor in the 77th Highlanders (Montgomery's), I found my Government tartan did provide a degree of camouflage when I found myself isolated during a tactical (war game). I pulled the upper half of my great kilt over my shoulders to conceal my red coat and was very successful in concealing myself from the "French" until I reached friendly lines.

But, I agree with figheadair, that for the most part in the tactics of the 17th-19th centuries did not require camouflaged kit, so the comments supposedly made about tartan being used as camouflage was probably meant to be derogatory, not complimentary.