What would the kilted highlander take?

**Thunderbolt** · 14th August 08, 12:36 PM

Hi all,

I was wondering if anyone knew what a kilted highlander would traditional take to the field?

I'm an avid hiker/camper/backpacker. I was wondering on my long hikes, how would a highlander do this?

With all the modern, lightweight gear we have nowadays, it makes it pretty easy. But years ago, what was a standard kit?

Of course, the kilt would be his bed. The sporran to carry his oatmeal (How much, I wonder, perday?).

But what of how to prepaire the oatmeal? Or was it eaten dry and chewed? Water wouldn't have been an issue. Any other items they would have taken?

Just some questions for thought and discussion.

T.

**Woodsheal** · 14th August 08, 02:58 PM

Originally Posted by Thunderbolt

Hi all,

I was wondering if anyone knew what a kilted highlander would traditional take to the field?

I'm an avid hiker/camper/backpacker. I was wondering on my long hikes, how would a highlander do this?

With all the modern, lightweight gear we have nowadays, it makes it pretty easy. But years ago, what was a standard kit?

Of course, the kilt would be his bed. The sporran to carry his oatmeal (How much, I wonder, perday?).

But what of how to prepaire the oatmeal? Or was it eaten dry and chewed? Water wouldn't have been an issue. Any other items they would have taken?

Just some questions for thought and discussion.

T.

I read someplace (Burt's "Letters" maybe? - ca. 1720's) that they carried small, lightweight sheet-iron plates, or griddles, to cook oatcakes upon. This could easily be carried in the folds of the belted plaid, or in a haversack....

**sirdaniel1975** · 14th August 08, 03:57 PM

In W.H. Murray's book "Rob Roy MacGregor" I seem to recall him mentioning filling their sporrans with oats. One handful of oats, mixed with either blood (from cattle or sheep) or water.. was enough food for 1 day for the common highlander.

**Tommy Hunt** · 14th August 08, 04:13 PM

Wow those were some tough dudes.

**Thunderbolt** · 14th August 08, 04:18 PM

Originally Posted by Tommy Hunt

Wow those were some tough dudes.

You are correct.

I'm wondering....If I could collect the items a highlander would have, I might even make a go of it, Survivorman style... Maybe for the weekend.

Might be fun, or a disaster....

T.

**Howard Clark** · 14th August 08, 06:45 PM

I expect that one would learn something about himself in the affair, no matter how it turned out.

I like canoe trips with minimal gear, and dehydrated food that my family dried here. I am in no way as tough as the folk of the highlands of 1700, or here at the same time on the frontier. Damn few of us are.

I'd be interested in the list of essentials from that time/place combination as well. Good question !

**Riverkilt** · 14th August 08, 08:49 PM

From Sons of the Mountains The Highland Regiments in the French & Indian War, 1756-1767 by Ian Macpherson McCulloch Volume II p.137

Haversacks
A small square bag, made of canvas and called the haversack was suspended from the left shoulder and was used to carry all sorts of personal gear including food and spare clothing. The Highlanders also carried a backpack, which was centered high on the back, Indian-style, with underarm straps, which was used to carry food, extra clothing, and extra ammo.

You can see paintings if you browse this site http://paramountpress.stores.yahoo.net/index.html
particuarly Robert Griffing's Scottish Heritage paintings.

Warriors and One of Their Own show the haversack.

Ron

**graham_s** · 15th August 08, 04:03 PM

the iron plate for cooking on is a girdle, not a griddle.
What a highlander carried would depend on where he was from.
with his plaid, dirk and sghian dhu he has everything he needs to provide shelter for himself. the sporran wold have held a few "possibles". tinderbox, snares possibly needles and thread, whetstone, etc.
food would have been in a separate sack slung on the back.

**Thunderbolt** · 15th August 08, 04:21 PM

Originally Posted by graham_s

the iron plate for cooking on is a girdle, not a griddle.
What a highlander carried would depend on where he was from.
with his plaid, dirk and sghian dhu he has everything he needs to provide shelter for himself. the sporran wold have held a few "possibles". tinderbox, snares possibly needles and thread, whetstone, etc.
food would have been in a separate sack slung on the back.

I can follow that. Where do you get your information from? I'm looking for a book or website, maybe.

Thanks!

T.

**graham_s** · 16th August 08, 02:58 AM

one of my friends is an archeologist who specializes in the dress of the period. She actually was responsible for the outfitting of the film shown at the new Culloden visitor centre.
She is also in charge of dress authenticity for the re-enactment of Bannockburn that is being put on for the 700th anniversary (they are going for full a scale battle with the complete number on each side)