Calling all reenactors!!

[davim19]

I'd have to respectfully disagree on this point in that before you purchase any kit for a Rev War Scots impression, decide upon the unit, then contact them to see what their kit standards are.

You will find that most Highland Rev War units on this side of the pond use the feilidh-mhor, but some allow a feileadh-beag for certain impressions.
The reason most utilize the feilidh-mhor is that they are basing their impression upon orderly books & returns from the period, and this most usually is what is listed.

However some units might have access to other accounts (i.e. journals) that might mention the feileadh-beag being utilized at certain periods or functions /duties.

Anyhow, the point is save yourself $$$$ by contacting the unit(s) your interested in portraying, then make your purchases --- some units also have their own stocks of tartan / & other supplies and can save you money as well.

My research through the reports and memoirs of troops (mainly officers) speak of feilidh-mors being issued then cut in half by the men because the feilidh-mor was too cumbersome, especially in the more southerly campaigns. This way not only were they less cumbersome, but lasted twice as long.

Matt Davis
Grenadier co. 13th Foot
Pte, 6th Company 19th (1st N. Yorkshire) Regt foot
formerly of the Atholl Brigade and Frasers Highland Regt.

[BoldHighlander]

My research through the reports and memoirs of troops (mainly officers) speak of feilidh-mors being issued then cut in half by the men because the feilidh-mor was too cumbersome, especially in the more southerly campaigns. This way not only were they less cumbersome, but lasted twice as long.

Please understand that I do not doubt you. I always thought it strange that it was reported that during the F&I War that the Scots were cutting down their feilidh-mors for actions in the heavy woods & for work details, and then you have researchers saying that during the Rev War period the Highland Regts wore just the feilidh-mors, as if they forgot the lessons of the previous war.

No my point, (& source for disagreement) is advising 'Yeti' to purchase a feileadh-beag (or any other kit) until he knows exactly what the chosen unit's requirements are.
It doesn't matter what you or I think otherwise, or can show, these units have their own requirements & I don't wish to tell anyone to spend their cash on any item (be it kilt, weapon, or haversack) that they won't be allowed to utilize in the field. That's all.

[davim19]

I agree with you, I'd speak to units, but sometimes it helps to have provenance, believe me when I did the filming for the Culloden Visitors centre, some of the hired in extras were wearing Gold Brothers specials and had their faces painted blue.
It's nice to have someone actually asking somewhere before assuming.

[BoldHighlander]

I agree with you, I'd speak to units, but sometimes it helps to have provenance, believe me when I did the filming for the Culloden Visitors centre, some of the hired in extras were wearing Gold Brothers specials and had their faces painted blue.
It's nice to have someone actually asking somewhere before assuming.

Blue face paint @ Culloden?!
Oh Mel, what thou hath wrought upon us!

The nice thing is once one joins a unit, and has the research, they can effect change from within
I've done this myself in the past, & most recently within my own clan society, with the assistance of information provided by our own Matt Newsome & the Scottish Tartan Authority regarding rather a certain Mackay tartan was a district or family tartan & its history.

[Woodsheal]

Here's an excellent unit that does both F&I War and Rev War impressions:

http://musketsofthecrown.homestead.com/77th.html

They are a great bunch of folks who do it "right"....

[BoldHighlander]

Here's an excellent unit that does both F&I War and Rev War impressions:

http://musketsofthecrown.homestead.com/77th.html

They are a great bunch of folks who do it "right"....

Indeed.... Brian, haven't these guys also showed up at Jacobite events as Loyalist (pro-Hanoverian) Highlanders?
Here's another good unit:

http://www.74thhighlandregiment.com/

& I really like their website too
and though more ceremonial in duties than doing battle reenactments is this one right across the border from me:

http://www.thefraserhighlanders.com/index.html

The only problem with afore mentioned units is they're a bit distant for Yeti's purposes.
Besides the Ohio Coy of the 84th RoF here is a Rev war unit of the 42nd RoF I just remembered in his own backyard:

http://home.insightbb.com/~grenadier_42d/index.html

and from the photo it appears they wear the feileadh-beag!
There's also a group of the 71st RoF in his region, but they're a light unit, and as such don't appear to wear the kilt, so I feel hesitant to mention them. I know the BAR has a unit of the 71st as well, out of NY, but they don't have a website & would have to be contacted via the BAR site. I also know from contact with their commander some years ago that they might be interested in long distance members.

So many choices

[BoldHighlander]

I know there are a few other units out there, like my own 84th's California & Nova Scotia coys, as well as a group of the 42d in Oregon with the NCRA, but none of these have websites or their sites are off-line.

Not sure of any others, there were a few, but I think some are now disbanded (this includes 3 former 84th coys).

To tell the truth, my focus has been as Commissioner of Clan Mackay & rebuilding our member base in Washington State. As such I'm focusing on putting together a personal impression as the Mackay Regt during the 30 Years War (not the whole regiment! ). My other interest is the Mackay Independent Coy during the '45.
Right now I've got too many obligations w/ the Mackays to worry about making this or that reenactment. Doing an impression for my clan booth will allow me a wee bit more freedom.

I do keep up (somewhat) on my 84th brethren.
If I hear anything more Yeti about units or contacts I'll be sure to post them.

Hey Brian (Woodsheal) weren't you in the "Clan Donnachaidh" 1745 group?
Whatever became of their website?