Calling All Reenactors

[Sir William]

Next year's Greenville, South Carolina, Scottish Games (scheduled for June 5, 2010) is planning to add a special category for Scottish Military reenactors. The time frame is 1625 thru 1939, and reenactors may represent any historically "Scottish" uniformed military unit (79th New York, Lovat Scouts, Guarde Ecossais, etc.).

Do you think they'd be interested in Jacobites from the 1745? We are not "uniformed" but do resemble what Prince Charlie's army looked like.

Its a bit of a drive for us, but possible (beats "walking" from Oregon!). I was suggesting to our group that we could attend the games and then visit Matt's Scottish Tartan Museum on the way back.

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

Final details haven't been locked in, but the general feeling is that the organizers wish to encourage the attendance of those reenactors who are part of uniformed regimental units (of whatever period or national army). The general feeling is that "Jacobites"-- in other words the clan levies-- are really civilians, even though they made up the bulk of the Jacobite army.

Certainly Jacobite reenactors are always more than welcome at the games, and could pitch their tents in "Canteen Row" with everyone else. I'm just not sure how they would take part in the judged competition--

[Nighthawk]

This sounds like it would be a lot of fun, but my group is also civilian- pre Culloden.

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

This sounds like it would be a lot of fun, but my group is also civilian- pre Culloden.

As I said earlier, all reenactors are more than welcome. It is, however, the general feeling that the games want to focus on Scottish heritage, and wish to avoid a RennFair atmosphere; hence the emphasis on uniformed reenactors.

Broadly speaking the reenacted units will be assembled on the main field, and carefully inspected. The unit with the most historically correct uniforming and accouterments will win some sort of prize, and (possibly) all of those competing will receive some sort of medal as well.

The full details haven't been finalized, but when they are, I'll post them here.

I can tell everybody that this is planned to be an annual event, and that the organizers hope to see fifty or so uniformed reenactors take part in the 2010 Greenville Scottish Games.

[Woodsheal]

It really wouldn't be right to exclude a good '45 "living history" group like Sir William's from the reenactor venue. Most such groups are quite serious in terms of authenticity, and hardly "RennFaire-ish."
They may not be "uniformed" per-se, but their historic counterparts were indeed organized into structured clan regiments (with a complete chain of command from the Colonel on down), or regional formations such as the Atholl Brigade. Far from being disorganized mobs, clan regiments of the '45 attained a fair degree of training and discipline....

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

It really wouldn't be right to exclude a good '45 "living history" group like Sir William's from the reenactor venue. Most such groups are quite serious in terms of authenticity, and hardly "RennFaire-ish."
They may not be "uniformed" per-se, but their historic counterparts were indeed organized into structured clan regiments (with a complete chain of command from the Colonel on down), or regional formations such as the Atholl Brigade. Far from being disorganized mobs, clan regiments of the '45 attained a fair degree of training and discipline....

All of which you have written is, of course, true.

And, as I've previously stated, no one is being excluded from the games.

The problem that arises is how to level the playing field when judging a group of civilians and a group of soldiers, both from the mid-18th century. As a matter of fact I sent Sir William a PM a few days ago and asked him to give me a call to discuss how we can do this. As soon as I hear from him I'm sure something can be worked out.

If anyone would like to make specific (or general) suggestions about reenactors taking part in the Greenville Scottish Games, send me an email and I will do my best to see to it we come up with an event that everyone will enjoy.

[Sir William]

... As a matter of fact I sent Sir William a PM a few days ago and asked him to give me a call to discuss how we can do this. As soon as I hear from him I'm sure something can be worked out.

Which I hope to do this evening.

[Nighthawk]

As I said earlier, all reenactors are more than welcome. It is, however, the general feeling that the games want to focus on Scottish heritage, and wish to avoid a RennFair atmosphere; hence the emphasis on uniformed reenactors.

Broadly speaking the reenacted units will be assembled on the main field, and carefully inspected. The unit with the most historically correct uniforming and accouterments will win some sort of prize, and (possibly) all of those competing will receive some sort of medal as well.

The full details haven't been finalized, but when they are, I'll post them here.

I can tell everybody that this is planned to be an annual event, and that the organizers hope to see fifty or so uniformed reenactors take part in the 2010 Greenville Scottish Games.

Yes sir, I did see that. But you also said that the uniformed ones are the ones being judged, with special space alotted. I doubt there's enough room for our camp. It's huge. Check out www.renscots.org for an idea of the space we need!

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

Nighthawk, it's all about advance planning. If your group wants to take part, let us know well in advance and we'll find the space for your camp. It's up to you to tell us how much space you'll need, and we'll try our best to accommodate that request.

All "living history" reenactors will pitch their tents along "Canteen Row", and that would include your group as well. These will be judged separately from the military review on the main field.

I personally think you guys would add a lot to the event and would like to see you take part. I'll send you a PM and we can discuss this further.

[Nighthawk]

Nighthawk, it's all about advance planning. If your group wants to take part, let us know well in advance and we'll find the space for your camp. It's up to you to tell us how much space you'll need, and we'll try our best to accommodate that request.

All "living history" reenactors will pitch their tents along "Canteen Row", and that would include your group as well. These will be judged separately from the military review on the main field.

I personally think you guys would add a lot to the event and would like to see you take part. I'll send you a PM and we can discuss this further.

The frthest from home we've gone is the Gathering of the Clans in Rapid City, South Dakota. This would be a bast of a trip! I'll be running it by the rest of the clan and see what they all think.

***EDIT*** I just sent a letter to our clan cheif. It's in the hands of our board of directors.