Kilted Reenactors?

[bear]

42nd Regiment of Foot, Lt. Col's Company - War of the American Rebellion

42nd Regiment of Foot, Lt. Col's Company - Seven Years War in North America

Oglethorpe's Independent Highland Company, Colony of Georgia - and, as James Dean would say: "What have you got?"

Jim aka Kiltiemon

Sorry to pick nits, Jim, but that, "Whaddya got?" quote was Brando.

[Piper]

Got my start (guess I should say our start, since its' become a family affair) in living history through Rendezvous. Still attend a couple of those each year. Also do 18th century American Longhunter/Rifleman, and as mentioned in another post, we also are part of Clann Wolf. We portray the Camerons at '45 events.

[MacConnachie]

While being a "fur piece" from the eastern U.S., there are occasional opportunities out West for a fella to wear a great kilt, or even a philabeg in one of a few select tartans, when hanging out with "mountainey men" at Redezvous. I keep thinking I'll do just that, but end up otherwise busy.

Being a Duncan, the Clan Donnachaidh activities sound interesting, so Brian, you may well see a pm or email from me before too long.

I have questions about great kilts. Those would seem appropriate in both the 17th and 18th century re-enactment groups or settings, but I don't want to be caught up in the making of erroneous assumptions. In those applications, what would have been a typical mode of "kilting up?" I have read accounts that Scots would drop their plaidies before battle, and fight just in long shirts and footwear, but those could be fictionalized. Anyone have the definitive version(s) of these?

As to colors, when did Modern colors (as in brighter colors, some of the dyes being more fixed due to aniline (sp?) and other compounds) come into common use, as contrasted with dyes derived from vegetable matter? I have a great kilt in Modern Hunting Robertson, but sense that would be historically inaccurate for the 18th Century, let alone the 17th.

Other gear:
I have a leather doublet, with removable sleeves, but it's in a forest green color. Again, I doubt the level of historical accuracy for gearing up in accordance with accepted dress of the various Risings.
I have purchased a pair of the moccasin-like brogues from a source that seems reliable in terms of historical accuracy, and trust that they would fit in either of the "Rising" eras, and probably into early 19th Century western U.S. in a pinch, but was there a particular coloring or curing used (other than getting them good and wet and then wearing them until they dried to more-or-less form-fit one's feet)?
Finally, is a Rob Roy-style sporran a "yes" or "no," and what sorts of belts were utilized? I have a "Rob Roy," but wearing it with the great kilt seems a bit redundant, as I am able to fit all manner of items into the pouches formed when the front corners of the plaid are twisted and then tucked under the belt. I imagine there may have been other uses for the sporran or a similar belt pouch when considering armament accessories, but I think some of that would have been a matter of personal preference on the part of the warrior?

Thanks in advance for any and all responses,
Mac

[Woodsheal]

Hi, Mac!

Wish you were closer; we could use another Donnchaidh in the ranks...!

To your questions:

The belted plaid is appropriate for any Highland impression from the mid-1500's up to and including the `45 Rebellion (and beyond that for military portrayals). As for putting it on, we're all still a bit unsure as to how exactly they did it "back then." There is the common (current) method of throwing it out full-length upon the ground, pleating it, laying down on it and belting it on. But, new thought on the matter is that many plaids had small loops sewn in and a drawstring through them to make donning the garment easier, and without having to lie down.
As for casting off the plaid before a battle, I think that notion comes from a specific clan fight in the 1500's that took place on a very hot day, where indeed the clansmen fought in their shirt tails - and the battle became noteworthy for that fact! I tend to think they mostly kept them on. Morier's famous painting of the Culloden battle - he used actual Jacobite prisoners as subjects - shows the Highlanders wearing a multi-tartan assortment of plaids, philabegs, jackets, etc....

For the periods under consideration, the sporran was usually hung from the same wide belt that held the kilt up. They were generally either of the drawstring "rob roy" type, or had curved metal cantles (usually brass) for closure, as seen on some modern "dress" sporrans. They were used to carry all manner of items: oats, musket cartridges, coins, etc.

Your doublet would be acceptable for a pre-1700 impression, though wool was the more usual fabric for such a garment....

Hope this helps!

[MacConnachie]

Thanks, Brian. Your responses were most helpful!!

Mac