Kilts in the English Civil Wars/War of the Three Kingdoms

**Woodsheal** · 5th June 12, 08:05 PM

Originally Posted by Matt Richards

Beautiful weapons, Woodsheal. Interesting how much of a downward hook those musket stocks have in comparison to the matchlocks.

A buddy of mine always referred to them as the "electric guitar" muskets...!

**AndyW** · 24th August 12, 01:06 PM

First post, but I have been lurking awhile! There were kilted highlanders in the ECW, and I am a member of a unit that portrays this in the Sealed Knot reenactment society in the UK.
We have two sets of kit, either lowland 'covenanter' troops wearing hodden grey, following the English style of britches and doublet, or Highland, wearing the great plaid as Gordons regiment.
Heres a pic of my matchlock to show off the fishtail stock:

**AndyW** · 29th October 12, 02:06 PM

Pic from a small event a couple of weeks ago, wearing my new plaid and hose, made with wool from Harris Tweed and Knitwear

**Tobus** · 30th October 12, 08:15 AM

I know nothing about historical accuracy on this type of stuff, but just wanted to say that those pics are GREAT! More, please!

**AndyW** · 30th October 12, 02:04 PM

It was my first event as a Scot, so it was interesting to see how the plaid would work out as a useable item of wear! It is 4.5 metres long (just under 15 feet) I found 20 pleats gave me enough of a skirt to wrap round. We only wear one belt to hold the plaid up, so everything is attached to, and tucked into that. The plaid is held on the left shoulder with a wooden pin.Some use bone, or metal, some even tie the plaid on the shoulder, but I am not sure if that is correct or not. I found when running around and fighting a lot over a weekend, the pin has trouble holding the plaid up on the shoulder, so might have to rethink that! The hose are cadadh, bag hose, with one seem running along the back and under the foot. The plaid was surprisingly comfortable to wear, and very warm, if a little cumbersome.

**Woodsheal** · 31st October 12, 06:10 AM

Andy, your garb, gear, and weapons all look top notch. Well done! The only thing I'd do different is to not have the big turn-over in the top of your hose. Most period images don't show any turn-over at all, like we wear our modern kilt hose.
One method to hold your plaid up more securely is with a button-and-loop set up. In the midle of the top edge of your plaid sew on a small loop of fabric. Then, stoutly sew a substantial button to the left shoulder of your doublet. Fastening the plaid loop to this button will probably hold it up more securely than your wooden pin.
Look closely, and you can see the button-and-loop method in this famous image (and note the hose-tops, too!):

**AndyW** · 31st October 12, 08:53 AM

Good idea with the button/loop Woodsheal, I might give that a try! As for the hose tops, I see your point, the group I am with seem to mix styles, some turned over like mine, others just up to the bottom of the knee.I have read that some highlanders had quite short hose, up to around the middle of the calf, to show off the shape of the leg! I am assuming that is from a later period though, with knit hose.