It is World Heritage Day tomorrow so to give you advance notice of it we'll blog about a Scottish World Heritage site that has a military past.
The 60km Antonine Wall was built by the Romans between the Forth and the Clyde in the AD140s. It was granted UNESCO World Hertiage status in 2008 as part of the Frontiers of the Roman Empire World Heritage Site.
There is a website with more detail here
For the big day tomorrow at Callendar House in Falkirk, where there is a section of the wall, there will be a "light installation and soundscape which will recreate the effect of a Roman encampment".
THE ANTONINE WALLDiscover the sights and sounds of a Roman encampment as created by artists Ruth Macdougall, Tim Fitzpatrick and pupils from Easter Carmuirs Primary School. Special tents, created by the school pupils, will be displayed on the grounds of Callendar House. A sound collage will fill the space, capturing the atmosphere of the site while the Antonine Guard will also be on hand.
12:30pm–2:30pm
Grounds of Callendar House, Falkirk
Showing posts with label Romans. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Romans. Show all posts
Sunday, 17 April 2011
Thursday, 14 April 2011
Scottish Re-enactors
A couple of posts I've typed up for the blog recently have brought to my attention some military re-enactors based in Scotland.
I have found a few on the internet which I'll list below but if anyone knows of others please let us know. The flip side of that is if any of these organisations no longer exist please let us know too.
For example there seems to be a Napoleonic 95th Rifles unit in Scotland but I can't find anything about them. There also used to be a Napoleonic Royal Scots unit based in Edinburgh but I don't know if that has disbanded. Also I've found references to a medieval group called 'Gaddgedlar' but can't find any details of them.
Quite a few cover the same period so I don't know if there is friendly rivalry or snobbery within re-enactment?
Anyway we'd be happy to publicise any forthcoming Scottish re-enactment events either here or on our facebook page so if you belong to any of these groups please get in touch
There is a Second World War German re-enactment group based in Scotland but don't bother contacting us about them. They rightly deny they are a non-political group but I still don't like the idea of promoting a group which re-enacts units of Nazi Germany.
The words used below are from the re-enactors own web pages and I have no involvement with any of them so can't comment on their authenticity or aims.
The Antonine Guard
We are a Scottish based Living History Re-enactment Society and have adopted the Legio VI Victrix Pia Fidelis as our parent legion,this being one of the legions which built the Antonine Wall and Hadrians Wall.
The Glasgow Vikings
Bringing history to life for over 25 years.
The Glasgow Vikings are one of Scotland's oldest re-enactment groups. We pride ourselves on our skills both on and off the battlefield. We regularly train in a variety of weapons, from dagger to dane axe, spear to seax and most in between.
We also have a fully certified school visiting team.
Marr agus Fibh
"Marr agus Fibh" is a local group of Regia Anglorum, the UK's premier re-enactment society for the Anglo-Saxon and Viking age.
It is the aim of Marr agus Fibh to recreate, as accurately as possible, life throughout the period roughly between 950AD - 1070AD. This period of history is an incredibly exciting and complex time, with people from Northern Europe, partcularly Scandinavia, entering Britain and spreading their culture, religion and other influences across the lands of the native people. The main "eras" which we recreate are that of the Scots, Vikings, Anglo-Saxons and Normans, each having their own fascinating history and culture. Battles between kings and powerful lords in this period are commonplace and we try to recreate these combats using authentic weapons and fighting techniques. Everyday life is also an important area which we try to recreate, as the majority of the people would not be involved in such warfare and lived simple, peaceful lives. We use two main resources to help us recreate these periods, the Living History Exhibition and battle reenactment.
Carrick 800 Battle Re-enactment Society
Founded in 1986 the Carrick 800 Battle Re-enactment Society re-enact Mediaeval Scots, Viking and Mary Queen of Scots period living history camps and battle scenes throughout Scotland.
Schiltron
Aberdeen and North-east Scotland's premier group of mediaeval re-enactors, primarily portrays Scottish life during the late fifteenth century. We also re-enact the period of William Wallace and Robert the Bruce (1297-1329) and that of the Jacobite era of 1745-1746.
We depict historical events and stage banquets, focusing on the art and culture of the time. Group members make and wear costumes appropriate for the domestic, commercial and military sides of mediaeval life. Schiltron has performed throughout Scotland at castles, fairs and other locations, indoors and outdoors; including Traquair House, Castle Fraser, Drum Castle, Fyvie Castle and Aberdeen city; and also at mediaeval events at Dinan in France and Tewkesbury in England.
The Company of Saint Margaret
The Company of Saint Margaret is historical re-enactment group operating mostly from Edinburgh, Scotland. Our current focus is on the time periods around the year 1300 and the later end of the 1400's.
At present we try to represent a travelling Medieval household. This includes a lord and his lady, their family, retainers, household servants and craftsmen.
We provide a living history encampment with displays of medieval life, crafts and combat. We also take part in medieval battles, foot combat tourneys and archery competitions.
The Borderers
"The Borderers" is a small group of enthusiasts, from all over Britain (as well as some members who travel across from the Netherlands) who have come together in order to pursue and research the way of life of the Border Reivers - "The Steill Bonnets" -and is carried out through a programme of "Living History".
The group is based at Old Buittle Tower in Dumfries and Galloway Region in the South West of Scotland, not too far from the ancient haunts of the Reivers. The Tower is home to Jeffrey and Janet Burn who provide the facilities used by the society, which include horses, stables, a forge, a dyeing facility and a recreated Period Kitchen and Medieval Hall. The work of the Society can be seen by the public at weekend shows. The Easter and August Bank Holidays events are open to the general public. Other events are held approximately every six weks apart from Easter to December (see “Diary” page).
Earl of Loudoun's Regiment of Foote
As part of the English Civil War Society the Earl of Loudoun's Regiment of Foote, which belongs to the Armie of the Covenant, participates in the accurate re-enactment of 17th century life and warfare.
We are a Lowland Scots infantry regiment based on the actual recorded regiment which was raised in Glasgow and which saw extensive military service on the smokey battlefields of the 1640s. We meet at "musters" which can vary in size from small "living histories" and small drill displays up to full blown "majors" or battles. All arms of military life are employed in the society; regiments of infantry armed with pike and musket, squadrons of horse (cavalry) and batteries of ordnance (cannon). The regiment prides itself on its skill at arms on the battlefield, its historic realism both in combat and lifestyle, its individual members knowledge of the period and above all its friendly family atmosphere.
The regiment also gets involved in re-enacting periods beyond the life term of the actual regiment, in fact anything between 1638 and 1746. Preston 1648, Worcester 1651, Killiecrankie 1689 and Prestonpans 1745 are battles which have been re-enacted by the regiment, obviously in a different guise from Loudoun's. We have alter egos in the form of Pirates and Jacobite Highlanders.
Col Hugh Fraser's Dragoones
Fraser's Dragoones today are the most northerly regiment of the Sealed Knot society and were formed in the 1970's by a group of friends at Aberdeen University. Today the majority of our membership still lives in the North East of Scotland but we have active members from all walks of life living all over Britain.
As well as travelling throughout the UK to take part in the Sealed Knot's "major muster" battle reenactments Fraser's Dragoones also organise other events at historic properties throughout Scotland, visit schools and museums to give educational presentations and have an active social scene.
On the Sealed Knot battlefield we portray a veteran musket unit as part of the Scots Brigade and as such can be deployed, depending on circumstances, as either Parliament or Royalist.
We are proud of our authenticity and attention to historical detail and our aim is to recreate 17th Century military camp life and display the use of musket, pike and artillery in an educational way which is exciting for visitors and participants alike. Our extensive "Living History" camp is a full immersion experience and as well as soldiers we portray the armourers, barber surgeons, cooks, beggars, washer women and other camp followers who would have lived under the colours of the regiment. There is a place in Col Fraser's for everyone.
With the opportunity to participate with friends and comrades in events at such prestigious castles as Edinburgh, Stirling, Urquhart, Edzell, Drum, Blackness, Dumbarton and Duart as well as other locations throughout Scotland, what better way to spend a weekend!
Manus O'Cahans Regiment of Foot
Manus O’Cahans Regiment of Foot are a group of reenactors, and form part of the Sealed Knot, Europes premier Reenactment Society
Manus O’Cahans has active combatants both male and female, of all ages and occupations, based in Central Scotland and with membership throughout Britain and Ireland
Manus O’Cahans takes part in, and organises, events all over the British Isles and Europe, from battles and skirmishes to living history displays and talks. During the winter months we have training events and banquets, and many of the members meet socially on a regular basis all year round. We also have a regular regimental newsletter, and The Sealed Knot has a full colour bi-monthly magazine.
The Gordon Highlanders 1914-1918
The Gordon Highlanders 1914-18 exist to re-create as accurately as possible the life of the soldiers of the Gordon Highlanders during the Great War 1914-18.
We believe we are currently the only living history group in the United Kingdom devoted full-time to portraying the Highland Soldier in the Great War.
Commando D Living History Group
We revive and teach the original training methods of the WWII Commandos and Allied forces. Specialising in the close-quarters system of Fairbairn and Sykes in the hand to hand, knife fighting and pistol shooting, plus we also raise money for veterans with sponsored speed marches
The Scottish Military Re-Enactment Society
The Scottish Military Re-enactment Society was raised in 1993. The intention was then, and is now, to ensure that the memory of those men and women who fought for the allied cause during World War II, shall never be forgotten. The Society is a non profit making organisation although it has taken part in fundraising events for various charities, including the annual collection for the Scottish Poppy Appeal.
The Society participates in many events during the year. A typical weekend can include the static display of equipment, uniforms, weapons and vehicles. We also have a large tent which houses our audio-visual presentation as well as a "hands on" equipment display.
Training weekends can be arranged for Field-Craft, Map Reading, Weapons Handling and, if you are really keen, Drill! (Photos opposite show a Small Scale Raiding Force in operation).
Units within SMRS include: a Combined Operations Section in particular the Small Scale Raiding Force, the Special Operations Executive, Airborne (British and American), Infantry, Royal Navy, Home Guard and the Auxiliary Territorial Service.
The G.I. Guys
The GI Guys have a passionate interest in the WW2 period.
We seek to ENGAGE, INFORM and REMEMBER
We are located in West and Central Scotland and combine to provide living history displays at WW2 /1940’s themed events, parties, school and club talks.
We class ourselves as Amateur Historians, with a good knowledge and understanding of several aspects of WW2, including the British Home Front, US Airborne Forces, the US Airforce, the US Navy, the French Resistance, Arctic Warfare and the SOE/OSS (Clandestine Warfare).
We feel that by doing this, we are playing our part in keeping the spirit of the 40's alive......a time of great sacrifice but also a time where nations united for the common good, where community spirit and helping a neighbour was the order of the day, a time when people survived on very little and the make do and mend mentality ruled supreme.
Although this is a hobby, all displays are presented in a proper, respectful and safe manner. We are affiliated to the All Forces Reenactment Association
Liberte SOE
We are a small group of like minded individuals with a long standing interest in the WW2 Period. We are located in central and West Scotland and have been involved in the Military Vehicle/Living History scene for a few years now.
We can mount small to medium displays and have access to a Wartime Jeep, original Wartime equipment, including our very own Air Raid Siren!
We also attend Primary schools to engage the children and assist in their studies of Britain and WW2. We do this by offering sessions on the lead up to WW2, The Blitz, Evacuation, rationing, local history relating to WW2 (tailored to each school) and finish with Wartime James Bond.
These groups covers several periods.
Fire and Sword
Fire and sword was started in 1998 by Hugh Robertson. He was soon joined by like minded folk, they started doing shows at local museums and private events.
Within the year they had progressed to the pinacle of Historic Scotland properties.
With time came a well rounded show of arms, displaying the use of the norman sheild wall, the famouse scottish schiltron, the dreaded war bow and amazing combats from quarterstaff though to axe and shield to the sword fight.
Now, with new members bringing other skills and ideas and with other members studying the original fighting manuals, Fire and Sword has
expanded it's ideas and now can do displays from the early 1200's all the way to the 1700's including everything from padded armour to plate, from plaid to red coat,
The Historic Saltire Society
The Historic Saltire Society is an organisation dedicated to two things. The first is living history and the second is Fun!
From humble beginnings in Inverness, the group now has members from all over the country, and travel the length and breadth of Scotland to various venues to perform for our audiences.
The society has many members, ranging from noble knights, their squires who help put on their armour, their enlisted peasants who end up doing most of the fighting, ladies of the court in fine dresses who, when not too busy with their embroidery, look on anxiously, to the craftsment and tradespeople who just get on with their jobs, from candlemaking to pole lathing.
The Society was started many years ago when our wise and venerable (not to mention old) leader, Alan, picked a fight with a baldy man called Alistair. The two have never looked back, and have seen the group grow over the years to its current large size.
Northern Alliance
Recreating the Wars of Independence, the 15th Century and the Jacobite Risings in the North of Scotland
Northern Alliance is a historical live interpretation group based in the Highlands of Scotland. Although the group’s core is based around the Inverness area, we have members from all over Scotland, and even some from England. The group organises, and takes part in battle recreations, and living history presentations portraying elements of three distinct periods of Scotland’s history: The Wars of Independence; the fifteenth century; and the Jacobite Risings of the early/mid eighteenth century.
Live interpretation is a very powerful communication tool, and as such should be used responsibly. However, it does provide an immediate, tactile and accessible interpretation of the past which is popular with historic sites around Scotland. Presentations can re-enforce mistakes and myths or they can be used to correct misconceptions and educate in an entertaining manner. Our history is often more exciting and enthralling than legends and modern films portray.
Northern Alliance thoroughly researches all elements of their presentations and displays, in order to educate through entertainment, and undertakes valuable experimental archaeology; for if the events and lives portrayed are not historically accurate, not only in material detail but more importantly in attitudes and social consciousness, increasingly our present lives will be based on a fictitious past. The ethos and driving force behind the group is to represent, as accurately as possible, the lives of ordinary people from our history, who often lived through extraordinary times.
Although Northern Alliance takes the accuracy of their displays seriously, enjoyment can be had from mixing with a group of likeminded people, sharing their interests and their passion for history. Members get the opportunity to learn and experiment with historical skills and discover how our ancestors lived their daily lives. Throughout an event, all food is cooked in a period manner, and everyone lives in a historical camp with period clothing and authentic accommodation. This level of commitment to accuracy and detail is continued when participating in battle recreations where the armour, equipment and skills have been thoroughly researched to present faithful recreation of Scottish soldiers on military campaign.
Why do members do it? There are various reasons, but these frequently include getting away from the hustle & bustle of the everyday life, taking a step back into the past, learning traditional skills, and making friends with people who share their love of our history, these friends often become friends for life. Members get the opportunity to meet and learn from people with different experiences and expertise, pooling ideas to enhance the overall experience and discover new things about our past or learn skills in danger of being forgotten.
Lothene
Lothene is a historical re-enactment group specialising in aspects of Scottish history, in particular the 16th Century and the Viking era.
We recreate both combat and the civilian life of the era.
We have also taken part in recreations of Saxon era life, the 18th Century and the Wars of Independence in the 13th and 14th Centuries.
Swords of Dalriada
We are the Swords of Dalriada (pronounced 'Dal-ree-adda'), a Scottish historical re-enactment group based in Ayrshire, who perform all over Scotland (and occasionally outwith). Our group focuses on bringing the conflicts that shaped Scotland to life. The time periods we cover include; the Scottish Wars of Independence, the Viking invasions, Iron Age Caledonia and the Jacobite rebellion. We do both living history and battle re-enactment. This means that not only do we recreate battles, we also demonstrate what life was like throughout Scotlands history.
Our work covers a large range of shows and displays. From working by ourselves to working with other groups. From taking part in large scale shows to putting on small displays for gala days and fetes.
I have found a few on the internet which I'll list below but if anyone knows of others please let us know. The flip side of that is if any of these organisations no longer exist please let us know too.
For example there seems to be a Napoleonic 95th Rifles unit in Scotland but I can't find anything about them. There also used to be a Napoleonic Royal Scots unit based in Edinburgh but I don't know if that has disbanded. Also I've found references to a medieval group called 'Gaddgedlar' but can't find any details of them.
Quite a few cover the same period so I don't know if there is friendly rivalry or snobbery within re-enactment?
Anyway we'd be happy to publicise any forthcoming Scottish re-enactment events either here or on our facebook page so if you belong to any of these groups please get in touch
There is a Second World War German re-enactment group based in Scotland but don't bother contacting us about them. They rightly deny they are a non-political group but I still don't like the idea of promoting a group which re-enacts units of Nazi Germany.
The words used below are from the re-enactors own web pages and I have no involvement with any of them so can't comment on their authenticity or aims.
The Antonine Guard
We are a Scottish based Living History Re-enactment Society and have adopted the Legio VI Victrix Pia Fidelis as our parent legion,this being one of the legions which built the Antonine Wall and Hadrians Wall.
The Glasgow Vikings
Bringing history to life for over 25 years.
The Glasgow Vikings are one of Scotland's oldest re-enactment groups. We pride ourselves on our skills both on and off the battlefield. We regularly train in a variety of weapons, from dagger to dane axe, spear to seax and most in between.
We also have a fully certified school visiting team.
Marr agus Fibh
"Marr agus Fibh" is a local group of Regia Anglorum, the UK's premier re-enactment society for the Anglo-Saxon and Viking age.
It is the aim of Marr agus Fibh to recreate, as accurately as possible, life throughout the period roughly between 950AD - 1070AD. This period of history is an incredibly exciting and complex time, with people from Northern Europe, partcularly Scandinavia, entering Britain and spreading their culture, religion and other influences across the lands of the native people. The main "eras" which we recreate are that of the Scots, Vikings, Anglo-Saxons and Normans, each having their own fascinating history and culture. Battles between kings and powerful lords in this period are commonplace and we try to recreate these combats using authentic weapons and fighting techniques. Everyday life is also an important area which we try to recreate, as the majority of the people would not be involved in such warfare and lived simple, peaceful lives. We use two main resources to help us recreate these periods, the Living History Exhibition and battle reenactment.
Carrick 800 Battle Re-enactment Society
Founded in 1986 the Carrick 800 Battle Re-enactment Society re-enact Mediaeval Scots, Viking and Mary Queen of Scots period living history camps and battle scenes throughout Scotland.
Schiltron
Aberdeen and North-east Scotland's premier group of mediaeval re-enactors, primarily portrays Scottish life during the late fifteenth century. We also re-enact the period of William Wallace and Robert the Bruce (1297-1329) and that of the Jacobite era of 1745-1746.
We depict historical events and stage banquets, focusing on the art and culture of the time. Group members make and wear costumes appropriate for the domestic, commercial and military sides of mediaeval life. Schiltron has performed throughout Scotland at castles, fairs and other locations, indoors and outdoors; including Traquair House, Castle Fraser, Drum Castle, Fyvie Castle and Aberdeen city; and also at mediaeval events at Dinan in France and Tewkesbury in England.
The Company of Saint Margaret
The Company of Saint Margaret is historical re-enactment group operating mostly from Edinburgh, Scotland. Our current focus is on the time periods around the year 1300 and the later end of the 1400's.
At present we try to represent a travelling Medieval household. This includes a lord and his lady, their family, retainers, household servants and craftsmen.
We provide a living history encampment with displays of medieval life, crafts and combat. We also take part in medieval battles, foot combat tourneys and archery competitions.
The Borderers
"The Borderers" is a small group of enthusiasts, from all over Britain (as well as some members who travel across from the Netherlands) who have come together in order to pursue and research the way of life of the Border Reivers - "The Steill Bonnets" -and is carried out through a programme of "Living History".
The group is based at Old Buittle Tower in Dumfries and Galloway Region in the South West of Scotland, not too far from the ancient haunts of the Reivers. The Tower is home to Jeffrey and Janet Burn who provide the facilities used by the society, which include horses, stables, a forge, a dyeing facility and a recreated Period Kitchen and Medieval Hall. The work of the Society can be seen by the public at weekend shows. The Easter and August Bank Holidays events are open to the general public. Other events are held approximately every six weks apart from Easter to December (see “Diary” page).
Earl of Loudoun's Regiment of Foote
As part of the English Civil War Society the Earl of Loudoun's Regiment of Foote, which belongs to the Armie of the Covenant, participates in the accurate re-enactment of 17th century life and warfare.
We are a Lowland Scots infantry regiment based on the actual recorded regiment which was raised in Glasgow and which saw extensive military service on the smokey battlefields of the 1640s. We meet at "musters" which can vary in size from small "living histories" and small drill displays up to full blown "majors" or battles. All arms of military life are employed in the society; regiments of infantry armed with pike and musket, squadrons of horse (cavalry) and batteries of ordnance (cannon). The regiment prides itself on its skill at arms on the battlefield, its historic realism both in combat and lifestyle, its individual members knowledge of the period and above all its friendly family atmosphere.
The regiment also gets involved in re-enacting periods beyond the life term of the actual regiment, in fact anything between 1638 and 1746. Preston 1648, Worcester 1651, Killiecrankie 1689 and Prestonpans 1745 are battles which have been re-enacted by the regiment, obviously in a different guise from Loudoun's. We have alter egos in the form of Pirates and Jacobite Highlanders.
Col Hugh Fraser's Dragoones
Fraser's Dragoones today are the most northerly regiment of the Sealed Knot society and were formed in the 1970's by a group of friends at Aberdeen University. Today the majority of our membership still lives in the North East of Scotland but we have active members from all walks of life living all over Britain.
As well as travelling throughout the UK to take part in the Sealed Knot's "major muster" battle reenactments Fraser's Dragoones also organise other events at historic properties throughout Scotland, visit schools and museums to give educational presentations and have an active social scene.
On the Sealed Knot battlefield we portray a veteran musket unit as part of the Scots Brigade and as such can be deployed, depending on circumstances, as either Parliament or Royalist.
We are proud of our authenticity and attention to historical detail and our aim is to recreate 17th Century military camp life and display the use of musket, pike and artillery in an educational way which is exciting for visitors and participants alike. Our extensive "Living History" camp is a full immersion experience and as well as soldiers we portray the armourers, barber surgeons, cooks, beggars, washer women and other camp followers who would have lived under the colours of the regiment. There is a place in Col Fraser's for everyone.
With the opportunity to participate with friends and comrades in events at such prestigious castles as Edinburgh, Stirling, Urquhart, Edzell, Drum, Blackness, Dumbarton and Duart as well as other locations throughout Scotland, what better way to spend a weekend!
Manus O'Cahans Regiment of Foot
Manus O’Cahans Regiment of Foot are a group of reenactors, and form part of the Sealed Knot, Europes premier Reenactment Society
Manus O’Cahans has active combatants both male and female, of all ages and occupations, based in Central Scotland and with membership throughout Britain and Ireland
Manus O’Cahans takes part in, and organises, events all over the British Isles and Europe, from battles and skirmishes to living history displays and talks. During the winter months we have training events and banquets, and many of the members meet socially on a regular basis all year round. We also have a regular regimental newsletter, and The Sealed Knot has a full colour bi-monthly magazine.
The Gordon Highlanders 1914-1918
The Gordon Highlanders 1914-18 exist to re-create as accurately as possible the life of the soldiers of the Gordon Highlanders during the Great War 1914-18.
We believe we are currently the only living history group in the United Kingdom devoted full-time to portraying the Highland Soldier in the Great War.
Commando D Living History Group
We revive and teach the original training methods of the WWII Commandos and Allied forces. Specialising in the close-quarters system of Fairbairn and Sykes in the hand to hand, knife fighting and pistol shooting, plus we also raise money for veterans with sponsored speed marches
The Scottish Military Re-Enactment Society
The Scottish Military Re-enactment Society was raised in 1993. The intention was then, and is now, to ensure that the memory of those men and women who fought for the allied cause during World War II, shall never be forgotten. The Society is a non profit making organisation although it has taken part in fundraising events for various charities, including the annual collection for the Scottish Poppy Appeal.
The Society participates in many events during the year. A typical weekend can include the static display of equipment, uniforms, weapons and vehicles. We also have a large tent which houses our audio-visual presentation as well as a "hands on" equipment display.
Training weekends can be arranged for Field-Craft, Map Reading, Weapons Handling and, if you are really keen, Drill! (Photos opposite show a Small Scale Raiding Force in operation).
Units within SMRS include: a Combined Operations Section in particular the Small Scale Raiding Force, the Special Operations Executive, Airborne (British and American), Infantry, Royal Navy, Home Guard and the Auxiliary Territorial Service.
The G.I. Guys
The GI Guys have a passionate interest in the WW2 period.
We seek to ENGAGE, INFORM and REMEMBER
We are located in West and Central Scotland and combine to provide living history displays at WW2 /1940’s themed events, parties, school and club talks.
We class ourselves as Amateur Historians, with a good knowledge and understanding of several aspects of WW2, including the British Home Front, US Airborne Forces, the US Airforce, the US Navy, the French Resistance, Arctic Warfare and the SOE/OSS (Clandestine Warfare).
We feel that by doing this, we are playing our part in keeping the spirit of the 40's alive......a time of great sacrifice but also a time where nations united for the common good, where community spirit and helping a neighbour was the order of the day, a time when people survived on very little and the make do and mend mentality ruled supreme.
Although this is a hobby, all displays are presented in a proper, respectful and safe manner. We are affiliated to the All Forces Reenactment Association
Liberte SOE
We are a small group of like minded individuals with a long standing interest in the WW2 Period. We are located in central and West Scotland and have been involved in the Military Vehicle/Living History scene for a few years now.
We can mount small to medium displays and have access to a Wartime Jeep, original Wartime equipment, including our very own Air Raid Siren!
We also attend Primary schools to engage the children and assist in their studies of Britain and WW2. We do this by offering sessions on the lead up to WW2, The Blitz, Evacuation, rationing, local history relating to WW2 (tailored to each school) and finish with Wartime James Bond.
These groups covers several periods.
Fire and Sword
Fire and sword was started in 1998 by Hugh Robertson. He was soon joined by like minded folk, they started doing shows at local museums and private events.
Within the year they had progressed to the pinacle of Historic Scotland properties.
With time came a well rounded show of arms, displaying the use of the norman sheild wall, the famouse scottish schiltron, the dreaded war bow and amazing combats from quarterstaff though to axe and shield to the sword fight.
Now, with new members bringing other skills and ideas and with other members studying the original fighting manuals, Fire and Sword has
expanded it's ideas and now can do displays from the early 1200's all the way to the 1700's including everything from padded armour to plate, from plaid to red coat,
The Historic Saltire Society
The Historic Saltire Society is an organisation dedicated to two things. The first is living history and the second is Fun!
From humble beginnings in Inverness, the group now has members from all over the country, and travel the length and breadth of Scotland to various venues to perform for our audiences.
The society has many members, ranging from noble knights, their squires who help put on their armour, their enlisted peasants who end up doing most of the fighting, ladies of the court in fine dresses who, when not too busy with their embroidery, look on anxiously, to the craftsment and tradespeople who just get on with their jobs, from candlemaking to pole lathing.
The Society was started many years ago when our wise and venerable (not to mention old) leader, Alan, picked a fight with a baldy man called Alistair. The two have never looked back, and have seen the group grow over the years to its current large size.
Northern Alliance
Recreating the Wars of Independence, the 15th Century and the Jacobite Risings in the North of Scotland
Northern Alliance is a historical live interpretation group based in the Highlands of Scotland. Although the group’s core is based around the Inverness area, we have members from all over Scotland, and even some from England. The group organises, and takes part in battle recreations, and living history presentations portraying elements of three distinct periods of Scotland’s history: The Wars of Independence; the fifteenth century; and the Jacobite Risings of the early/mid eighteenth century.
Live interpretation is a very powerful communication tool, and as such should be used responsibly. However, it does provide an immediate, tactile and accessible interpretation of the past which is popular with historic sites around Scotland. Presentations can re-enforce mistakes and myths or they can be used to correct misconceptions and educate in an entertaining manner. Our history is often more exciting and enthralling than legends and modern films portray.
Northern Alliance thoroughly researches all elements of their presentations and displays, in order to educate through entertainment, and undertakes valuable experimental archaeology; for if the events and lives portrayed are not historically accurate, not only in material detail but more importantly in attitudes and social consciousness, increasingly our present lives will be based on a fictitious past. The ethos and driving force behind the group is to represent, as accurately as possible, the lives of ordinary people from our history, who often lived through extraordinary times.
Although Northern Alliance takes the accuracy of their displays seriously, enjoyment can be had from mixing with a group of likeminded people, sharing their interests and their passion for history. Members get the opportunity to learn and experiment with historical skills and discover how our ancestors lived their daily lives. Throughout an event, all food is cooked in a period manner, and everyone lives in a historical camp with period clothing and authentic accommodation. This level of commitment to accuracy and detail is continued when participating in battle recreations where the armour, equipment and skills have been thoroughly researched to present faithful recreation of Scottish soldiers on military campaign.
Why do members do it? There are various reasons, but these frequently include getting away from the hustle & bustle of the everyday life, taking a step back into the past, learning traditional skills, and making friends with people who share their love of our history, these friends often become friends for life. Members get the opportunity to meet and learn from people with different experiences and expertise, pooling ideas to enhance the overall experience and discover new things about our past or learn skills in danger of being forgotten.
Lothene
Lothene is a historical re-enactment group specialising in aspects of Scottish history, in particular the 16th Century and the Viking era.
We recreate both combat and the civilian life of the era.
We have also taken part in recreations of Saxon era life, the 18th Century and the Wars of Independence in the 13th and 14th Centuries.
Swords of Dalriada
We are the Swords of Dalriada (pronounced 'Dal-ree-adda'), a Scottish historical re-enactment group based in Ayrshire, who perform all over Scotland (and occasionally outwith). Our group focuses on bringing the conflicts that shaped Scotland to life. The time periods we cover include; the Scottish Wars of Independence, the Viking invasions, Iron Age Caledonia and the Jacobite rebellion. We do both living history and battle re-enactment. This means that not only do we recreate battles, we also demonstrate what life was like throughout Scotlands history.
Our work covers a large range of shows and displays. From working by ourselves to working with other groups. From taking part in large scale shows to putting on small displays for gala days and fetes.
Thursday, 24 March 2011
Release of the movie "The Eagle"
It's not often a war film set in Scotland gets released and a big budget Hollywood one at that. Tomorrow is the release date for "The Eagle". It's based on Rosemary Sutcliffe's 1954 book "Eagle of the Ninth".
I haven't seen the film so can't possibly comment on how good or bad it is but it was filmed in Plockton and used locals as extras so I hope it has an authentically Scottish (well Pictish / Celtic) feel.
It is known that the Roman Ninth, or IX Hispana Legion was based in the North of England in the second century A.D. from an inscription in York in 108 A.D. By 162 A.D. a list of all the Roman Legions around their Empire doesn't list the Ninth, so between 108 and 162 it ceased to exist. Unfortunately records from that time are too patchy to know whether it was or wasn't destroyed in what is now Scotland, and all the evidence either way seems to be pretty circumstantial
By tracing evidence of a campaign from Roman marching camps, local historians from Roman Scotland have put forward a theory that the legion was marching along the Tweed valley in 117 A.D. when it disappeared around what is now Cardrona near Peebles. They have put a lot of effort into this investigation so I'd be interested to see if their theory turns out to be right.
Anyway enough about the real history; we're talking about Hollywood history (and one based on a children's novel from the 1950s). So forget about the facts and enjoy the trailer we've posted.
I haven't seen the film so can't possibly comment on how good or bad it is but it was filmed in Plockton and used locals as extras so I hope it has an authentically Scottish (well Pictish / Celtic) feel.
It is known that the Roman Ninth, or IX Hispana Legion was based in the North of England in the second century A.D. from an inscription in York in 108 A.D. By 162 A.D. a list of all the Roman Legions around their Empire doesn't list the Ninth, so between 108 and 162 it ceased to exist. Unfortunately records from that time are too patchy to know whether it was or wasn't destroyed in what is now Scotland, and all the evidence either way seems to be pretty circumstantial
By tracing evidence of a campaign from Roman marching camps, local historians from Roman Scotland have put forward a theory that the legion was marching along the Tweed valley in 117 A.D. when it disappeared around what is now Cardrona near Peebles. They have put a lot of effort into this investigation so I'd be interested to see if their theory turns out to be right.
Anyway enough about the real history; we're talking about Hollywood history (and one based on a children's novel from the 1950s). So forget about the facts and enjoy the trailer we've posted.
Wednesday, 16 March 2011
Rome's IX Legion & Hadrian's Wall
From today's BBC News website magazine page:
The Roman Ninth Legion's mysterious loss
An article about the Roman IX Legion and its 'loss' in the first century A.D.
The Roman Ninth Legion's mysterious loss
An article about the Roman IX Legion and its 'loss' in the first century A.D.
The article has been published in the run up to the UK release on 25th March of the movie "The Eagle". The film is based on the Rosemary Sutcliff book "Eagle of the Ninth".
Tuesday, 8 March 2011
Calgacus - Who's Who in Scottish Military History
At the top of our Blog we say that we post on "all aspects of Scottish Military History, from Mons Graupius to Afghanistan"
We've done a lot of posts on more recent events but have very few from around the time of the Roman invasions.
We start at Mons Graupius because that victory of the Romans over the natives of Scotland in 82AD is the first recorded battle in Scotland.
The Celts who occupied the land before 82AD would have fought over the land for centuries before then, but it was the Roman writer Tacitus writing down the campaigns of the Roman general Gnaeus Julius Agricola who first mentioned the tribes of what the Romans called Caledonia.
Tacitus was the son-in-law of General Agricola and the history he wrote would obviously be biased towards the Romans. We have to take what he says with a pinch of salt, but he gives us the name of the first recorded native of Scotland. His name was Calgacus.
The Battle of Mons Graupius was obviously a major affair because it was the only time Agricola could get the Caledonians to fight a pitched battle. The Romans won the day but they did not win the war. The Caledonains lived on in the hills to harry the Romans and eventually force them to withdraw back to Britannia.
The only record of Calgacus (the swordsman) is from a speech he gives the night before the battle in "Agricola". He doesn't get a mention during or after the battle. He is not in the list of prisoners, so he either died in the battle or perhaps he never even existed. He may only have been in the book to let Tacitus give him some impressive lines.
And that is why we still know of Calgacus today. It is the Caledonian who gets the most memorable lines of the book.
"...If the enemy be rich, [The Romans] are rapacious; if he be poor, they lust for dominion; neither the East nor the West has been able to satisfy them. Alone among men they covet with equal eagerness poverty and riches. To robbery, butchery, and rapine, they give the name Empire; they create a desolation and call it peace."
Whether it was Tacitus or Calgacus who came up with the words, they sum up the Roman Empire succinctly; and his final line is still used today to describe the actions of heavy handed conquerors.
We've done a lot of posts on more recent events but have very few from around the time of the Roman invasions.
We start at Mons Graupius because that victory of the Romans over the natives of Scotland in 82AD is the first recorded battle in Scotland.
The Celts who occupied the land before 82AD would have fought over the land for centuries before then, but it was the Roman writer Tacitus writing down the campaigns of the Roman general Gnaeus Julius Agricola who first mentioned the tribes of what the Romans called Caledonia.
Tacitus was the son-in-law of General Agricola and the history he wrote would obviously be biased towards the Romans. We have to take what he says with a pinch of salt, but he gives us the name of the first recorded native of Scotland. His name was Calgacus.
The Battle of Mons Graupius was obviously a major affair because it was the only time Agricola could get the Caledonians to fight a pitched battle. The Romans won the day but they did not win the war. The Caledonains lived on in the hills to harry the Romans and eventually force them to withdraw back to Britannia.
The only record of Calgacus (the swordsman) is from a speech he gives the night before the battle in "Agricola". He doesn't get a mention during or after the battle. He is not in the list of prisoners, so he either died in the battle or perhaps he never even existed. He may only have been in the book to let Tacitus give him some impressive lines.
And that is why we still know of Calgacus today. It is the Caledonian who gets the most memorable lines of the book.
"...If the enemy be rich, [The Romans] are rapacious; if he be poor, they lust for dominion; neither the East nor the West has been able to satisfy them. Alone among men they covet with equal eagerness poverty and riches. To robbery, butchery, and rapine, they give the name Empire; they create a desolation and call it peace."
Whether it was Tacitus or Calgacus who came up with the words, they sum up the Roman Empire succinctly; and his final line is still used today to describe the actions of heavy handed conquerors.
Tuesday, 1 March 2011
The Romans quit Scotland - On (or about) this day in Scottish Military History - 211AD
In the Roman historian Tacitus's book 'Agricola', about General Gnaeus Julius Agricola, he quotes a Caledonian chieftan.
Calgacus is addressing his fellow cheiftans in 82AD just before the Battle of Mons Graupius
"...[The Romans] create a desolation and call it peace."
On four occassions since 70AD the Romans had advanced into Scotland to subdue the Celtic tribes and incorporate their lands into Britannia. But even with overwhelming force they had not managed to retain control of the country.
They had built the Antonine Wall between the Forth and Clyde, and built Hadrain's Wall to protect their settled colonies in Britannia (England).
In 208AD the Emperor himself - Septimus Severus, had launched a major campaign across the South of Scotland and up the North Sea coast to try and stamp out the troublesome tribes of the North once and for all.
His plan was brutally simple. Ethnic cleansing. With his 50,000 soldiers he would drive the natives off the fertile lands and then once the Caledonii and others were in the Grampian mountains they would either starve to death or sue for peace.
After two years on campaign Severus had all but beaten his enemies but had returned to Eboracum (York) in 210AD to recover from a serious illness. He left his son Caracolla to finish the job.
Caracolla has gone down in history as one of Rome's most ruthless generals. Not for his campaign in Scotland but for his later campaigns in Germany and the Middle East.
From those wars we know the sort of brutal man he was, and there can be little doubt that the people who lived in what is now Aberdeenshire and Morayshire suffered under Caracalla's Legions.
In early Febuary 211AD Caracalla would have got the news he wanted. Not victory over the tribes but the death of his father.
Records don't survive which tell us where Caracalla was on 4th Febraury 211 when his father died. He may have been in Caledonia but given he would kill his own brother within ten months it wouldn't be surprising if he hastened his father's death whilst being near York.
Even if Caracalla was in Scotland or not when he found out he was Rome's new Emperor, he had two problems. His first was that he was only joint Emperor. He had to share the title with his brother Geta (until he managed to do away with him in December 211).
The second was that he was in the middle of a campaign on the fringe of Empire when he needed to be back in Rome to make sure no one else could take the throne.
Serverus's plan to conquer the whole of the British Isles was swiftly abandoned and the Romans retreated behind Hadrian's wall.
They would still launch punative raids against the Caledonii and Maeatae and pay bribes to keep the peace over the next two hundred years but never again would a Roman Emperor try to rule what is now Scotland.
No one knows the exact date Caracalla's army marched back behind Hadrian's Wall. It would have been in Spring 211AD so I have picked this day, one thousand eight hundred years ago, as the day in Scottish history when the Romans marched south to Britannia and gave up on conquering Caledonia.
Calgacus is addressing his fellow cheiftans in 82AD just before the Battle of Mons Graupius
"...[The Romans] create a desolation and call it peace."
On four occassions since 70AD the Romans had advanced into Scotland to subdue the Celtic tribes and incorporate their lands into Britannia. But even with overwhelming force they had not managed to retain control of the country.
They had built the Antonine Wall between the Forth and Clyde, and built Hadrain's Wall to protect their settled colonies in Britannia (England).
In 208AD the Emperor himself - Septimus Severus, had launched a major campaign across the South of Scotland and up the North Sea coast to try and stamp out the troublesome tribes of the North once and for all.
His plan was brutally simple. Ethnic cleansing. With his 50,000 soldiers he would drive the natives off the fertile lands and then once the Caledonii and others were in the Grampian mountains they would either starve to death or sue for peace.
After two years on campaign Severus had all but beaten his enemies but had returned to Eboracum (York) in 210AD to recover from a serious illness. He left his son Caracolla to finish the job.
Caracolla has gone down in history as one of Rome's most ruthless generals. Not for his campaign in Scotland but for his later campaigns in Germany and the Middle East.
From those wars we know the sort of brutal man he was, and there can be little doubt that the people who lived in what is now Aberdeenshire and Morayshire suffered under Caracalla's Legions.
In early Febuary 211AD Caracalla would have got the news he wanted. Not victory over the tribes but the death of his father.
Records don't survive which tell us where Caracalla was on 4th Febraury 211 when his father died. He may have been in Caledonia but given he would kill his own brother within ten months it wouldn't be surprising if he hastened his father's death whilst being near York.
Even if Caracalla was in Scotland or not when he found out he was Rome's new Emperor, he had two problems. His first was that he was only joint Emperor. He had to share the title with his brother Geta (until he managed to do away with him in December 211).
The second was that he was in the middle of a campaign on the fringe of Empire when he needed to be back in Rome to make sure no one else could take the throne.
Serverus's plan to conquer the whole of the British Isles was swiftly abandoned and the Romans retreated behind Hadrian's wall.
They would still launch punative raids against the Caledonii and Maeatae and pay bribes to keep the peace over the next two hundred years but never again would a Roman Emperor try to rule what is now Scotland.
No one knows the exact date Caracalla's army marched back behind Hadrian's Wall. It would have been in Spring 211AD so I have picked this day, one thousand eight hundred years ago, as the day in Scottish history when the Romans marched south to Britannia and gave up on conquering Caledonia.
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