"League of Ausburg/WSS questions for Scottish Darien project" Topic

Was going through an old WI and ran across an article about the Scottish colony of New Caledonia. It was an attempt by Scotland to colonize in Central America at Darien that proved to be a diaster for many reasons. One of them being Spanish opposition. This led to a few skirmishs and the seige of Fort St Andrew. I am intrigued to game this – in skirmish sytle – but have a few questions for the group.

If am not mistaken Spanish uniforms circa 1697-8 were gray? Is this correct? Light or dark gray? Or were the uniforms of mixed colors? Just need some basic information for infantry. Not looking to buy a book on uniforms.

Will probably do this in 28mm but I do like Irregulars 20mm line. However, the line doesn't have everything I need. Are there other companies that do 20mm (NOT plastic) in this era?

Finally, just wondering if anyone else had ever had interest in New Caledonia and what happened.

Thanks

NO, they were of many colors, the foot tercios often being referred to as 'the reds', 'the greens' and so on. They switched over to gray (very much like the French) about 1706-ish.

My only interest was that that complete failure of the New Caledonian "dream" resulted in the Act of Union, which as a rather patriotic Scot still leaves a bad taste in the mouth. As Robbie Burns said, "bought and sold for English gold, such a parcel of rougues in a nation"

I read a good historical novel about it several years ago, "The Rising Sun" by Douglas Galbraith.

link

Steve

Coming from Wales, I have a considerable amount of insight into the Scots, their habits and their history.

I think it has been indisputably proven that the Scots colony in Central America failed, not due to Spanish interference, but rather due to the absence of sheep for the Scotsmen to be, err, "friendly" with.

After a season in the tropics with naught more attractive than a manatee or two to share the lonely nights, the colonists fled back to the welcoming, woolly flocks of the Highlands, abandoning the colony forever.

Of course, the "official" reason that one reads in Scottish-published history books is somewhat different…