what about the hardwear?

[macwilkin]

Hold on now, this guy is sporting three, no four if you count the hose, different tartans!

Which is quite accurate for the Jacobite period mind you.

I tend to agree with what the majority have posted; unless you're a reenactor, wearing period/historic weapons at the games is a bit much, to put it midly.


T.

[starbkjrus]

I would express the fact that Highland dress is just that... the national dress of Scotland... if you choose to make it a costume by adding weapons, ect, then you make not only yourself a joke but all of us by association to those who do not know what is or not correct.

Frank

I can agree with this... what I was referring to (my fault on clarity) are those who look like "cartoon" Highlanders, with no regard to correctness, for re-enacting purposes or other wise. We all know the type. They show up looking like one of Mel Gibson's extras.

Frank

What he said.

[Streetcar]

I think it varies from each game location. I've seen plenty of bladed weapons at our local games. More times than not though, it's not by someone who wrapped a tablecloth around themselves.

I have run into people who feel that wearing a kilt means that they "get" to carry weapons. Remember, unless it's something you might actually use (such as a skean) carying an axe, sword or dirk is just costume wear.

[auld argonian]

I've been taken aback by seeing some fourteen year old teenage boys dragging (just about literally because these kids are so short that they can't carry them) humongous newly purchased claymoores around the local Highland Games. "Where are their parents?", I ask. "Probably half drunk somewhere.", I answer.

Best

AA

[Woodsheal]

I often wear my Jacobite period garb to the Games (complete with weapons). It's great for getting in free! And yes, wearing multiple different tartans is correct for the period. (I'll repeat my oft-stated warning against applying modern highland dress standards to historic period garb)....

[Chef]

There is, in my opinion, no place for weaponry at highland games unless you are part of a reenactors troop. By that I mean a proper, period correct group and specifically not the various SCA groups that always seem to show up for highland games.

The games I work with have actually banned all weapons (except sgian dubhs and pipers dirks) outside of the reenactors area, which is roped off. I also place another vote against the "cartoon" highlanders that Logan was referring to. Proper period dress however is fantastic to see at the games, as Woodsheal is demonstrating.

[JRB]

Hold on now, this guy is sporting three, no four if you count the hose, different tartans!

As stated, multiple non matching tartans are the norm for that period in history. I like to refer to the look as "a tartan mess". Personally I like it, but I doubt it would play using modern dress.

[Panache]

What I have seen here in California it seems that a lot of the clans have various period scottish weapons as part of their displays in their clan tents. They are held during the march of the clans and then returned to the tents.

Lots of attendees take the games as an opportunity to strap all manner of iron mongery to their persons. Save for the re-enactors, most of the broadswords, scimitars, axes, katanas, pistols, look about as appropriate with Highland Garb as a lightsaber or a sonic screwdriver.

When I attend Renaissance Faires as the "Baron Wilmore Fretwell" I always am equipped as a gentleman should be, with rapier and main gauche' ( "then out sword and to work withal" ). But at a Highland Game I am me and taking a day to celebrate my heritage, meet with friends, partake of good food and drink, and enjoy dance, music, and feats of skill and strength.

So my weapon of choice to bear is always wear my "sgian don't" bottle opener (which I find greatly useful)


Woodsheal and JRB,

Thanks for the really interesting pictures. I always wonder about the tartan wool "hose" (the correct name escapes me) and how long they would last or how comfortable they would be.

Cheers

Jamie

[Arlen]

Lots of attendees take the games as an opportunity to strap all manner of iron mongery to their persons. Save for the re-enactors, most of the broadswords, scimitars, axes, katanas, pistols, look about as appropriate with Highland Garb as a lightsaber or a sonic screwdriver.
Jamie

Hey Jamie... I've been working on a sonic screwdriver sgian dubh.
Amd I just finished a mini lightsabre/torch sgian dubh.

[Jack Daw]

I often wear my Jacobite period garb to the Games (complete with weapons). It's great for getting in free! And yes, wearing multiple different tartans is correct for the period. (I'll repeat my oft-stated warning against applying modern highland dress standards to historic period garb)....

Oh, so that's you! I've seen your re-enactors webby several times. You guys do a great job. I used to pipe for The Reddshanks, a Jacobite re-enactment group, which is now defunct.