How Do I Get Started? by Jeff Nordin

Contents Introduction and Bylaws Interpretive Clothing Scottish Culture History Music and Dance Military Life Language Bibliography, Sources and Library Materials

The use of this publication is, for the most part, a matter of your immediate needs and personal interests. It probably seems intimidating to read and absorb so much information, but here are some suggestions that may help you turn the printed word into a fun and interesting experience for you and the visitors with whom you may interact. "But I don't intend on getting involved with the living history aspect of Clann Tartan." Great, read and Enjoy! But please feel welcome to attend any of our meetings and social events throughout the year! "I plan to do living history with the Clann." Welcome! -to a pastime that can be as simple or complex as you desire to make it. As with all activities, your enjoyment tends to be increased by the amount of effort invested. As a new hobby, living history will require some time investment; to keep that time to a minimum, the following steps should be useful. STEP 1. The Manual. Skim through the whole manual, and identify areas of special interest to you. Keep track of these so you can read them in depth later. They will also give you something to talk about with other members or the general public. If you have interest in further study, check the bibliography or the Clann Library for other likely titles. The bibliography makes no claims on completeness, but libraries and bookstores can be most helpful as well. STEP 2. The Clothing. To be involved in living history requires the right clothing. On a personal level, your experience starts with the wearing of clothing of the past. For the Clann, every carefully dressed member helps support the public image we are trying to achieve. Use the clothing section to guide you in acquiring historically accurate clothing. Talk with members who sew. News of sales can keep material costs down. If you've never done any sewing before, don't let that stop you. If you lack a sewing machine, sewing by hand is not just a period skill, but something you can work on during appearances to add to the daily life in our camp. Totally hand sewn clothes are an extreme example of the lengths some living historians like to use in pursuit of the minutiae of the past. If you have plenty of time and little money -be a purist, sew by hand. Should time be a more rare commodity than money, many members would gladly take your money and make your clothing. No time, or money? (Welcome to the club!) The barter system may be of help. The Quartermaster, or Camp and Company officers can help with information on who does sewing. Occasionally older members also have an extra item that you can borrow for your first appearances. STEP 3. The First Event. By this time you should have read through the Manual cover to cover and found your areas of special interest, perhaps even reading beyond the  Manual to gain more information on these subjects. If your clothing is in order, you are ready to attend your first living history event. The night before the event write a short list outlining things you have learned.  Before the event begins, choose one, or two items from your list and make it a point to try to teach them to someone. Step 3 also involves keeping your eyes and ears open during the event. When the event is over, write down the answers to the following questions to help guide your further use of the Manual and your living history exploration of the past. Questions 1. How comfortable/ practical are your period clothes? Your answer to this can support wanting more historical clothes from needing them. 2. Was your study of your areas of special interest of use in talking with Clann members and the public? This may help you see the need for more study, or work with the Manual section on Interpretive Skills to help you better use the information you have. 3. What did you discover that would have been useful or fun to know more about? The answers to this question may give you the direction, or desire to look elsewhere in the manual. Dance, music or crafts may take on new importance for example. Members with skills in areas you now find useful should also be tapped. These three questions will shape your next experience with the Clann. Use them after every Clann event and, when the time seems right, add a fourth: 4. What should be in the Manual that is not there now? Maybe you will have the desire to add to our knowledge about this shared hobby. May your enjoyment lead you, J. S. N.