[Mark E.]

Hello to all of those across the pond...I am in search of some fall photos of the wilder vegitation in Scotland/Wales...Morning, noon, and dusk shots, if it is possible.

You probably are asking "What the Devil does this nut need pictures of the weeds for?"

Well...I have several pieces of cold weather attire in the works, and given my "fit" into history, would like to make them in materials (wool) of color and tone that would match the landscape, for the purposes of staying warm AND camoflage. At some point in my future, I would like to endeavor to hunt in the region where my folks came from...in traditional gear, with traditional weapons. A long time in the future perhaps.

Thanks!

Mark

[Jock Scot]

Just so you know, the use of bow and arrow(bolts too) is illegal in the UK in pursuit of game. So are muzzle loading rifles(muskets) for deer, but ML shot guns can be used in pursuit of winged game, pigeons, vermin, and rabbits.

Hunting in the UK usually means fox,hare, and deer(some would say this is illegal these days, but that is not strictly true) where a pack of hounds are used and the participants are mounted on horseback. Shooting usually means shotguns and deer stalking is where a rifle is used.

My advice is to forget traditional clothing as there are much more suitable attire around these days. DO NOT take the hills(in Scotland that can mean mountains) of Scotland and Wales for granted they REGULARLY kill the unwary.

If you can find your way to my old threads that I have posted here, you will find some pictures of the Highlands of Scotland------parts of Wales will look much the same. In the meantime I will try and hunt out some pictures for you.

[Jock Scot]

The Scottish Highlands.

Deer territory in September.



At about 3000 ft in late August/early September(not my picture)



Looking for them in October(not my picture).



Fairly typical Autumn colours, in heavy rain.



Beautiful, but deadly.



Young stag in the spring(April)



Do these give you an idea?

[Cygnus]

Oh, come now, Jock!

While the information about the local laws is certainly helpful, you're spoiling the dream for us Americans!

You should wait and let your local midges do that once they've found their way up the "kilt flue"!

On a more serious note -

You'll find the topic of what "historic" Highlanders wore has been done to death on these boards, so I'll keep it concise. While many Highlanders did, in fact, wear kilts and other traditional items while working, hunting, etc., it seems that many (if not the vast majority) adopted more practical clothing for such activities.
From what Jock has said here and before, I imagine the activities that you're planning will be terribly uncomfortable in traditional Highland dress.
That said, if you're in it for the experience and memories, don't let anyone stop you; just be aware that you may end up with some memories you'll want to forget!

EDIT: Lovely photos, as usual, Jock! You managed to post them before I could get my response up.

[Tobus]

DO NOT take the hills(in Scotland that can mean mountains) of Scotland and Wales for granted they REGULARLY kill the unwary.

Not to hijack the thread, but what is it that usually kills the unwary out there? Exposure? Falling?

[Jock Scot]

Originally Posted by Tobus

Not to hijack the thread, but what is it that usually kills the unwary out there? Exposure? Falling?

At a guess I should think they are about equal, but maybe falling is the biggest killer.

[Jock Scot]

There is a very good book "Scottish Estate Tweeds" by Johnstons of Elgin that will give you a very good idea of early camouflage. They are as good now as a hundred and fifty years ago for "disappearing" into the hillside. No so good for keeping the weather out, but good heavy tweed still is much better than some materials . You may think some of them are pretty loud, but the colours and patterns are there for a reason as they will blend into the colours of that particular area(estate), which in Scotland could well be very different to some ground twenty miles over the hill.Not much good on Inverness High Street though!

[auld argonian]

...so working as a MedEvac in those parts is one way of getting some job security?

I remember hearing someone from the US Parks Department talking about the number of unprepared people that they have to fetch back from the parks every year. One of his main points was that advertising and "extreme" tv shows have given some people an unrealistic idea of what they need to go out there. He was also less than enthusiastic about the number of people who think that having a "mountain bike" means that they can bike down sheer cliffs with impunity.

Best to ask a local...thus, Jock's insights are just what ya' need.

Best

AA

[Jock Scot]

The rescue teams on the ground are I think all part time volunteers and they go out in all weathers and very effective they are too. Added to that the Royal Navy, Royal Air Force and the coastguard helecopters are on full time alert. They rely on the idiots, the unwary and the unlucky to give them real practice. Without all these brave and skilled men and women the hills would take a dreadful toll. Take today for instance, the helecopter/s were out three times in just my bit of Scotland. Once for a broken leg, once for a heart attack and once because some people got lost(surprise surprise they had no map). And that is on a still,sunny, warm summers day!

[Mark E.]

Well, as far as laws and regulations go, I am not so up on the current ones...I got an invite about 10 years ago to a driven grouse /pheasant junkit, 3 weeks. Rented guns of course, lodging and the works. Alas, work and family kept me stateside, or I would have been away in a heartbeat.

I have hunted birds with muzzleloading shotguns here, in kilt, knee breeks, and traditional American field materials-we have some murderous brambles, and the "new guy" always has to rootle out the birds shot over the messes. I have a sincere appreciation for guides, who know the territory. I have also ridden horseback in a kilt-not something I care to repeat. Guaranteed a Scot of the 18th century would have made up with rubber Wellingtons and Barbour without second thought. Britches, too, I'd bet, when optioned with only a horse as transportation.

Are bows now illegal as well? I would have thought that traditional bows would have been the last to go...

For a clearer explaination-perhaps I should have said I wanted to back up my choice of colors/materials with both historical accuracy as well as have them usable in modern times-it is only a wealthy sort who has clothing specific to a singular purpose and none other.

Thank you, by the way, for the pictures-and the updates of laws. On a side note...Do any of the tartans officially labeled "hunting tartans" due to their coloring as it is applied to an accepted tartan design have any historical precedence? I hunt deer here in the Midwest United States in a "ghillie suit"...something that originated, at least by name, from Scotland/Wales... Or are they simply nuances of folk wanting something different to call their own?