what about the hardwear?

[BoldHighlander]

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)....[/IMG]

Great photos Brian!

[Makeitstop]

Would you walk down the street with a 5 foot long sword on your back? Well, I would, but for most people the answer would be "no" and unless you are in a costume, it doesn't make sense.

Now, personally, I'd be all for it. So long as you are responsible (which should go without saying when dealing with any potentially dangerous object) I see nothing wrong with celebrating the weapons of Scotland. To me, it is no different than showing your admiration for the clothes, food and music.

But still, if you are not in a costume, working at a booth, or walking from the booth where you bought the item to the vehicle which will be transporting it home, most people will probably assume you are an idiot.

Then again, that will probably vary from place to place. Some will frown on it, others may encourage it. Probably not nearly as many of course, due to liability issues, but to a certain extent I'm sure there are some where such things are welcome.

And you never know when you might need it. You wouldn't believe how many times I have been at a picnic or family gathering, minding my own business, only to be brutally attacked by a vicious watermelon.

[KiltedHuntsman]

I only wear a Dirk with formal evening wear.

[Panache]

...And you never know when you might need it. You wouldn't believe how many times I have been at a picnic or family gathering, minding my own business, only to be brutally attacked by a vicious watermelon.

Don't laugh! It's been known to happen.





(Note this is not at a Highland Games, though it gives some insight into what a BBQ with the Nor Cal Rabble is like. By the by, the watermelon had it coming! )

Cheers

Jamie

[Howard Clark]

looks entertaining

[Coemgen]

I recall a story told last summer around a campfire on a large tract of land owned by a friend of my father's.

Apparently, a friend of my dad's friend is a ren faire frequenter, and has in his possession many large and deadly weapons, among them a large battle axe.

He was, it seems, returning home from a faire, and got into some sort of competition with another driver. Well, tempers flared, and eventually they pulled over to settle their differences.

The other driver came out and marched towards our friend's vehicle. He deftly grabbed his large battle axe and, dressed as a viking (or something equally fearsome in appearance), stormed towards his assailant, who, detecting who would be the victor in this conflict, quickly turned tail and bravely ran away.

So, the moral of the story is: to deflect would-be road ragers, always have a battle axe in your vehicle.

[Robertson]

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)....

I too wear Jacobite garb and basket hilt for the calling of the clans. And any parade or ceremony that require a guard.
I'm not a reenactor but I'm Sgt. of Arms for our St. Andrews Society. That said I would not wear the arms just walking around. Most of the time I change when I'm working the tent's "to hot in the summer". Yes I think it's
a costume but Its the costume of my Scottish Roots and I'm proud of it.

[Sir Robert]

You people seem to be on another planet from me or something but I really can not abide a man without a sharp pointy object on his person somewhere.

It seems so un-manly.

Just for the record I asked this forum for some advice on sword-belts for a basket hilt claymore and caught nothing but flak here so I wore pants with my uniform and carried a M-1851 Cavalry sword when I got married and not a kilt.

Disreguard these naysayers and at least wear a dirk.

[Chef]

You people seem to be on another planet from me or something but I really can not abide a man without a sharp pointy object on his person somewhere.

It seems so un-manly.

Please tell me you're joking.

[Riverkilt]

Just returned from doing field research on this matter at the Arizona Scottish Gathering and Highland Games in Phoenix.



Seems current fashion is to leave your pleats basted and wear some sort of a "mini ear knife."

Ron