Scottish-American History

[Brian F]

Much of this will depend on what sort of immigrant Yeti is wishing to portray...

I'd like to portray a Highlander...I don't know how historically accurate it is, but I would really like to portray a Highland Regimental that was "left behind" after the Revolutionary or F&I War.

[macwilkin]

I'd like to portray a Highlander...I don't know how historically accurate it is, but I would really like to portray a Highland Regimental that was "left behind" after the Revolutionary or F&I War.

Not impossible, but remember that there was some anti-Scottish feeling from Americans during and after the Revolution. I remember an account of a Highland officer who was taken prisoner by the Americans, and how he and several other Highlanders were cursed, spit at and generally abused by colonials as they were taken behind American lines. Read Meyer and Hunter before deciding on a Highlander impression.

Again, that's not to say that there wouldn't be Highlanders at all, because there were. The key thing about any living history impression is whether or not you are portraying the "average" person of a particular time period. In NPS we were taught to avoid the "fringe elements" of society when developing a first-person impression, in order to give visitors the experience of a "typical" person in the time period.

If you're attempting a particular persona for living history, I would recommend you be as accurate as possible.

Here's another book worth looking at:

Lachlan McGillivray, Indian trader : the shaping of the southern colonial frontier By Edward J. Cashin.

Todd

[davidlpope]

I'd like to portray a Highlander...I don't know how historically accurate it is, but I would really like to portray a Highland Regimental that was "left behind" after the Revolutionary or F&I War.

Reenacting isn't really my thing, but I've met some lovely people who portray members of the 84th Regt of Foot, Royal Highland Emigrants. If you're bitten with the bug, why not go all in? You can wear period clothing AND the kilt. Search Google for "84th Royal Highland Emigrants" and you'll get hits for several different groups across the country. Best of luck!



Cordially,
David