distinction between dress plaid and hunting plaid

[neloon]

Arrowyn,
It occurs to me that, though not the period of your novel, this might be of general background interest to you
http://www.jamesirvinerobertson.co.u...anscripts.html
in case you think of writing another romance in a later era.
I particularly like the David Stuart of Garth correspondence - he was sometimes called "The First Highlander" in recognition of his attempt to collect authenticated tartans.

[Arrowyn]

Thank you. I appreciate any information I can get my hands on!

[figheadair]

Arrowyn,
It occurs to me that, though not the period of your novel, this might be of general background interest to you
http://www.jamesirvinerobertson.co.u...anscripts.html
in case you think of writing another romance in a later era.
I particularly like the David Stuart of Garth correspondence - he was sometimes called "The First Highlander" in recognition of his attempt to collect authenticated tartans.

Garth's 'attemp' was based on a contemporary artist's urgings that the 'Flags and Banners of the clans, along with their tartans, were preserved. The fact that there had never been clan tartans was rather glossed over in the romantic rush to create the Noble Highlander.

[Arrowyn]

It's been interesting, in my creation of this novel, attempting to piece together a reasonable recreation of history, while feeding romanticism at the same time. But that's what I get for being a romance writer who cares about history. My hero needs to have certain qualities and dress in a certain way to please my readers, yet my conscience presses me to make him as much a real man as I can.

[neloon]

I hope, Arrowyn, that it's not going to be necessary to titillate your readers' with implications about the hero's under-kilt garmenting. It's just too corny.

[Arrowyn]

I hope, Arrowyn, that it's not going to be necessary to titillate your readers' with implications about the hero's under-kilt garmenting. It's just too corny.

I hate that. I know, I get teased ALL the time at critique groups. But I write for the inspirational market, so it's not like that. He has to be attractive to the heroine, inside and out. Far from perfect, but trying to be more. I end up with a lot of my husband in there since he's the closest example I have. He doesn't seem to mind--too much. He's been VERY sportive. He does let me know when I have my hero think or do something a man generally wouldn't. i.e. like over thinking things in the way a woman might. He told me my hero should act more(this can mean saying nothing at all, because he's shut-down under the heroine's feminine over-analyzing of his every word) and monologue less.

[neloon]

OK, I'm just suggesting that, however you play the aspect I mentioned you may get into hot water - with a Scottish readership, anyway.
Perhaps the exact when and where would help us to comment more. There is a tendency, especially on this site, to suppose that the stereotype of "Highlanders" applied throughout the Highlands and was constant over time and social class. For example, if your hero was sufficiently well-to-do to own a horse then he would not have worn the kilt, possibly not even at his wedding. If he lived near the periphery of the "Highlands" (including the Western Isles) he would often have worn Lowland garb. So much had to be imported into the Highlands that itinerant peddlers did a good trade in all sorts of goods, including clothing. The portraits of assorted kilted gentlemen covered in bling are not really the "whole truth".

[Arrowyn]

OK, so are you saying that only lower class men wore plaids? (my time frame is 1599-1603).

[neloon]

Arrowyn,
Just to add to my earlier post (#18) this is typical of a sea of stuff that is full of rubbish in a whole variety of ways.
http://carinapress.com/blog/2013/01/...der-that-kilt/
I appreciate that such nonsense may sell well but it really, really does no favours to Scotland or our National Dress. You can see that from the "responses". It must surely be possible to write a good commercial novel without resorting to incorrect history or worn-out cliches.
Alan

[Arrowyn]

Arrowyn,
Just to add to my earlier post (#18) this is typical of a sea of stuff that is full of rubbish in a whole variety of ways.
http://carinapress.com/blog/2013/01/...der-that-kilt/
I appreciate that such nonsense may sell well but it really, really does no favours to Scotland or our National Dress. You can see that from the "responses". It must surely be possible to write a good commercial novel without resorting to incorrect history or worn-out cliches.
Alan

I agree. I want to be respectful to the culture. I respect the culture. I guess what I mean is that in areas like bathing, for example. My main characters are probably cleaner than was typical for that era, but if I make everyone stink... well, people loose their lunch when they read, and that just isn't good marketing! Sometimes one can be TOO realistic in a historical. I have a non-fiction book here that states that outsiders described the Scots (of that era) as reeking of fish. If I introduced my hero character as reeking of fish.... well... you get the picture.