time period kilt

[Woodsheal]

Another great little book is "Tartan: the Highland Habit" by Hugh Cheape (ISBN# 0 948636 70 X).

I agree that the Osprey books are af great value, especially for the period images and modern renderings (regardless of one's opinion of Mr Reid!).

My reenactment friend Mara Riley is extremely knowledgeable on the subject as well. Here is her website:

http://www.marariley.net/celtic/scotland.htm

[AllenJ]

I had a much longer, and better response written out but I got mysteriously logged out for some reason grrr I hate that!

You are right...I should have supplied evidence for my opinion. I based my opinion on my reading of several of his related books. For me to appropriately qualify my statement I'd need to have my books with me along with supplementary materials in which to counter what I feel are his errors. Unfortunately I don’t have that available to me at the moment. So I suppose the academic thing to do would be to humbly withdraw my comment, best I may, until I can more appropriately respond.

In the meantime, there has been some good books mentioned that upon reading, and compared to Mr. Reids works, would present some of the inaccuracies mentioned and what I feel, are glaring prejudices.

Also, if you were to check out some of his reviews on Amazon as well as some martial art inspired forums, like Sword Forum International, it would be observed that I'm not the only one that feels this way. Numbers dont really prove anything or qualify MY feelings, but it would help provide some additional evidence in the meantime.

On the flip side, the pictures are nice to look at

[MacWage]

OK, back to topic,
Here is a source for some of the books mentioned:
http://giftshop.scottishtartans.org/books.htm
That is the museum (X Marks sponsor) that Matt Newsome curates.

Ex:
Old Irish & Highland Dress by H. F. McClintock
Originally published 1943. This classic and elusive work provides a detailed study of the dress of the Highlanders and the Irish in ancient times, with illustrations drawn from archival sources. It provides a wealth of information on the dress of these two closely related Celtic lands. Many of the illustrations are unique and are invaluable in understanding the development of men's and women's dress in the period from earliest times through the eighteenth century. There is a chapter on the dress of the Isle of Man as well.
Available on CD-ROM only (Adobe software included) for $12.95

Sometimes, there are other good books at the museum gift shop that are not in the on-line gift shop, such as the aforementioned Osprey series. Matt will know what is a good one for your purpose out of what they have.

[Woodsheal]

One of the original questions in this thread concerned highlanders in N. America, and how they modified their clothing and equipment.

The following link is a compilation of documents and orders from the 42nd Regiment (Black Watch) during its service during the French & Indian War (Seven Years' War to you Europeans!). Some of the Order Book entries give an insight into the topic, including mention of leggings and "fillebegs." My favorite is an order to cut up old tents to make "short drawers"....

http://www.highlandregiment.org/docu...umentation.pdf

[Andrew Green]

"jackobite"
No K in Jacobite...

Others have supplemented rather well for resource material. You could do a belted plaide, or a feilidh beag. Either one should be historically accurate. the 'Beags are neat, but so is the belted plaide. Really your call, and what relative class of individual you wish to portray.

[james Hurst]

Thank you all for the information. I now own 2 osprey books, "The Jacobite rebellions 1689-1745" and "Highland Clansman 1689-1746". I really enjoyed the Clan Donnachaidh site. I will have to post some pictures as soon as I can get my clothing together.

James Hurst