In JACOBITE times, targes were the highlanders' main means of defence in battle. A targe was a circular shield about 19" in diameter, with the front covered in tough hide, and the back in deerskin. The front was decorated with brass or silver studs and plates which occasionally had cut-outs, backed with red cloth (traditionally a piece of red-coat's uniform). The leather was usually tooled in Celtic type patterns etc. Some targes had a lethal spike screwed into the central boss.
In 1745, William Lindsay, a wright from Perth made targes for
Bonnie Prince Charlie's army.
Now, many years later, another Lindsay is making similar targes only 8 miles from Culloden, where many were last used in battle.
