18th century reenactment

[Nighthawk]

I personally am a pre Culloden reenactor. There was a ban on highland dress ennacted in the mid 17th century. Highland dress didn't really enjoy a resurgence in anything other than regimental form until the 1900's. Also, most of the original tartan designs were lost because they were made by oral tradition and apprenticeship. The ban killed off the last generation of "authentic" tartan weavers with no real record of thread counts, setts, etc, being left. So if you're an 18th century military reenactor, the little kilt is most accurate. If you're a civilian, it's trousers, for the most part. Mat Newsome at http://kiltmaker.blogspot.com/ has some excellent information regarding Highland dress. You may be able to get some more details there.

[Malcolm MacWilliam]

Richard D......get yourself a nice piece of wool tartan...about 4 to 5 yards, and it will probably come about 58 inches wide.....learn how to pleat it on the ground/floor...a belt and a leather sporran, you're there! there are some good sites in the forums that you can reference and the latest photos by Mael of me putting on the feilamor are good. Have fun. I started out that way...a piece of wool from a local fabric store and lots of practice, now it's as natural as heather!! Malcolm