Re Chris Kavanaugh - The problem with the Harris Tweeds and the toned down tartans is that although these fabrics make excellent camouflage gear (digital camouflage developed in Scotland over 3000 years ago before the introduction of MARPAT?) and although these materials are reasonably warm they have some disadvantages. The Harris Tweeds and Tartan fabrics are at the end of the day just very high quality woolen wear. The fabrics once wet become extremely heavy and are not particularly windproof. The weather in Scotland can generally be described as wet and windy. Scotland has some of the best hypothermia weather in the world. Even on a summers day in the highlands you could experience 2 to 5 degrees C with sleet, rain , snow and bright sunshine in a 40-50 mph wind with winds gusting even higher. Apparently even the Swiss Army train here. I once once in Cuba back some years ago sitting through a hurricane called Irene when one of the locals asked me if a was scared. I replied 'Of course not, just like the weather back home, only the rain is warmer'. Never did get to meet Fidel, apparently he was rescuing some European tourists from the Hurricane that day! But I digress, back to the fabrics. I originally started of with modern fabrics such as Goretex and Windstopper Fleece, Polypro etc. These fabrics are excellent when used appropriately but have some serious downsides. They do not breath particularly well, catch fire beside open fires and begin to really stink after a few days out in the wilderness especially the Polypro undergarments(Those poor SF soldiers, constipated, caffeine induced anxiety AND smell as well). I have since changed to Merino Wool and Ventile cotton with a simple cheap Goretex S95 Liner worn under the Ventile cotton jacket if it gets really wet. The ventile cotton jacket is more robust, breaths better and is a lot quieter than the Goretex. Although the Ventile cotton is not 100% waterproof hence the Goretex I find that it gives the best balance between robustness, comfort and weather protection. Goretex is great if only it rained all the time and only a moderate ambling pace were kept.

Re Johno - I am based in Scotland not far (less than 30 miles) from my Forum Name Ben Tirran

Re Nighthiker and Garret. - I really don't understand the arguments put forward by both sides. I might be straying into politics (I apologise before hand as this is possibly against house rules) but isn't true that the United States is a democratic country, in which has its citizens freedoms are enshrined in a written constitution. Is not fair to say that no terrorist attack however heinous or any natural disaster can undermine the principles put forward in that constitution, because the constitution is in reality just a powerful set of democratic ideals and objectives. Only its citizens and its elected representatives of the United States of America can undermine its constitution through apathy, corruption and tyranny. Why would armed US marines or armed US army personnel be deployed under these circumstances? Isn't the Presidents elective position to serve and protect the constitution. Is it not the elective Presidents duty to serve all its citizens and that the armed services are there to serve the President as Commander in Chief thereby serving its citizens. Here I think lies the problem you face. Conflicts between individuals and nations arises because the citizens and leaders of these nations have disregarded a set of well understood and well known international laws. It makes me sad that the US government has even difficulty implementing the Geneva Conventions on the treatment of Prisoners of War. This has happened in the UK also. Instead of being fearful about terrorism and natural disaster isn't it probably more wise to have a think about a Quotation from a former President Franklin D. Roosevelt 'There is nothing to fear but fear itself'. This quote also applies when you are cold tired and hungry in the wilderness also because fear is perhaps the most debilitating impediments to a successful outcome of personal survival.