Help with my persona...

[The Scottish Knight]

First, let me introduce myself. My name is Alex, I'm a huge history buff, as well as a scifi/fantasy fan. I've done a few costumes/personas before (mostly pirate) and I always start by developing a detailed backstory for the character.

My biggest question is, did the highland chiefs have Knight loyal to them? Just as nobles in England had knights? Information on scottish Knight is very hard to come by

Assuming they did have Knights, I already have a persona, that of a scottish Knight turned sword-for-hire.

Sir Alexander Ross was a young Knight in the service of Chief John Ross 8th of Balnagown. When John Ross was killed in battle, Chief Alexander Ross 9th of Balnagown (not my character, just the same name) took his place as clan chief. Soon, Alexander (my character) becomes disgusted with his new chief and decides to leave (if you want to know why he was disgusted with the Chief, just look him up). He begins traveling, never staying in one place very long, and offering his services to whoever needs them, usually for a fee, though there are exceptions.

How's that? I'm also considering just going with a Scottish Knight in service of the King. I may have to rework my persona's backstory as I find more information and do research for the costume. Anyway, this is just for fun, I don't have a job at a ren faire or anything, I just enjoy making characters and costumes to go with them. I am hoping to go to the GA ren faire as this persona next year though.

Any information on Scottish Knights would be greatly appreciated, especially the clothing and weaponry they might carry.

[Malcolm]

Scots have always been known for sending their young men off to fight. The Irish hired Scots every Spring. The Royal Guard for the King of France was made up entirely of Scots, the Garde Écossaise. It would be fair to say Scots have fought in almost every war in Europe since the Crusades.

Pick your time, pick a country, and wear a flash of tartan.

My own persona is a noble Scot, who fought for the Pope at Malta in 1565, the Spanish at Lepanto in 1571, and the Dutch after 1572. Retired from active service, he serves as Lord Lieutenant of Perthshire since 1596.

"Gott bewahr die oprechte Schotten" – "God protect the honest Scots."

[The Scottish Knight]

Thank you!

I've done a lot of reading about Scotland and Scottish history, but I can't find more than a few footnotes about Scottish Knights. I'm looking for general information about Knights in Scotland, Wether or not they served clan chiefs, and a what sort of clothing/armor/arms they used.

Do you know any good recources?

[Brian Green Knight]

Hello and well met!

As far as Scottish knights there were several including William Wallace! 
Another famous Scottish knight was James Douglas or James the Good aka The Black Douglas by the
English who were utterly terrified of him.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Douglas,_Lord_of_Douglas

David Ross is a Scotsman and historian who travels the renfaire circuit with the Scottish music group
Albannach and does a bit of a Scottish history before introducing the band, has written an excellent
book about him.
http://www.davidrross.org/books.htm

Hope it helps!

[The Scottish Knight]

Thanks!

You don't have any information on what a Scottish Knight (or a Scot in general) would have worn during the 1500s do you?

[Brian Green Knight]

The knightly armored attire in the 1500's would definitely be plate! 

Here are some links to other web sites that might be of interest.

http://www.armourarchive.org/

http://www.myarmoury.com/home.php

http://www.hostingphpbb.com/forum/index.php?mforum=chivalrynow

http://modernchivalry.org/