Quote Originally Posted by Sir William View Post
To come back to my original statement - which received lots of good follow on comments I might add - my Jacobite unit realizes that we have far too many of the "gentry" in the ranks and not enough "humbly."

Part of the problem of course is that not all of us turn out for our living history events at any given time, so many of us have acquired much of the stuff we display for the tourists. Also, as I said, most of our visitors are drawn by the full Highland regalia and so its a good crowd drawer. Consequently, when more than a few of us get together we have multiple swords, targes, pistols, etc and most of us are dressed in the full belted plaid, tartan wesket and jacket.

Some of us are starting to move away from this general impression and do the Highland crofter, the Lowland volunteer, or even some of the Scots and Irish in French service so that we can give a more accurate idea of who marched with BPC and what they wore and carried. Up to now we've mostly been talking about it rather than demonstrating it.

Sadly, if we all turned out as we probably should we wouldn't get the "visitor" interest that we get as few are interested in the humble crofter. Its difficult finding the right balance point.
A lot of the attitude has been that you are basically *required* to wear the kilt, carry a basket hilt/targe and all the expected Highlander kit.
I acquired/ made these things because I like the look and feel of the whole kit, but, I have grown tired of everybody's practice in only wanting to dress up as one of the Clan Honchos.
As I stand now, I basically want to blacksmith at events. Wearing a belted plaide while blacksmithing in summer does NOT sound like something I want to do :-)

I can blacksmith as a Manchester/Lancashire recruit in camp, which will draw a decent crowd on it's own, and allow me an opportunity to explain to people that not all Jacobites were Highlanders.