http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/ X Marks the Scot - A kilted community. en Wed, 08 Feb 2012 13:29:30 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/styles/xmarks/misc/rss.jpg http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/ http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f98/living-scotland-redux-71988/ Wed, 08 Feb 2012 10:57:18 GMT So what's it like to live in the Highlands of Scotland, in particular Argyll, Idylic some say, and yes, I have to agree, it is idylic in it's rugged beauty, timeless in many ways, but there are also a few harsh realatities to be aware off, for example



this is where I live my life, it's my home, I run Dunadd Trading Company from here, whilst watching the old puffer steam past my window from time to time on it's travels along the Crinan Canal, most times it's raining,



an a rare day of sunshine I stand on my front doorstep and have an uniterrupted view across Loch Crinan, to the extinct volcano that is the Isle of Scarba and onto the mountains on the Isle of Mull



on a chilly winters day, the old stone built cottage is cold, expensive to heat and maintain, draughty as well,



but even in the depths of winter the scenery is still stunning, and by far makes life worth living here



All the natives are friendly



Even the hairy highlanders and their wee dogs

most people hold down more than one job to make ends meet, we where not all blessed with country estates (no offence intended Jock, you know me better than that) life is hard, there aren't to many frills, when the wind blows it's a lazy wind, it will blow straight through you rather than go around you, so in conclusion, could life get any better.........................

your damned right it couldn't, what would I do with millions won on the lottery, fast cars, wild women, loads of whisky, then waste the rest, would I be happy, I doubt it very much, here life is what you make it, it's not handed to you on a plate, would I recommend moving to Argyll, well the answer is an emphatic NO, the reason being I am a selfish B'strd and want it all to myself but if you must come, your more than welcome. ]]> Show us your pics Redshank http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f98/living-scotland-redux-71988/ http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f105/swapping-switching-buttons-71987/ Wed, 08 Feb 2012 04:25:30 GMT Hi everyone. I did a search and I realize that there have been a number of threads posted on this topic but I still can't find what I'm looking for.

There is an online store called Highland X Press that sells "button bolts". What I'm looking for are some pictures of the bolts in use and/or some detailed instruction on how to install them. I think I have a general idea but not sure. I'm thinking about trying to install them myself on a jacket.

Thanks, ]]> Miscellaneous Forum Blackwolf http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f105/swapping-switching-buttons-71987/ http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f105/really-suspenders-sagging-pants-71986/ Wed, 08 Feb 2012 04:02:22 GMT http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Y0si...eature=related

Then there is the new pants fashions for men, Drop Crotch Pants, Drooping Diaper Pants (WHAT!)

Never in a million years. I'll stick with my kilts.

Chris. ]]> Miscellaneous Forum chrisupyonder http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f105/really-suspenders-sagging-pants-71986/ http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f298/all-black-balmoral-71985/ Wed, 08 Feb 2012 02:43:18 GMT Take a peek below at my new Robert Mackie balmoral, ordered from the Dunadd Trading Company.

At first, I couldn't find the "Toorie color" button on the web page, so I hesitated in ordering it. I mentioned that "problem" in an XMTS thread and Redshank told me "just tell us what color toorie you want in the 'Size & Colour Required' field, you twit!"

He didn't really say "you twit", but I know he was thinking it. :) So, I just wrote "black toorie" and I was home free. Well, not quite free, but for a very reasonable price, and with free shipping (from Scotland!).

Also, I told Chris my head size was between 59 and 60 cm, and he assured me that was no problem. The bonnet fits perfectly and I love it. My compliments to Chris and to DTC for the great service and communications.



I don't have a cap badge, yet, but a heart Douglas is on order.

In case anyone is curious, I won (ie bought) the Scotland sweatshirt in a silent auction at the Santa Fe Burns Party, the sporran is from our own beloved Zardoz (but with a new Douglas crest badge), my kilt is a casual Macleod Hunting from Burnett's & Struth sewn from Lochcarron Strome, my brick red Chessboard hose and garters from the STM (comfykilthose.com), and my very-traditional highland boots from that ancient Scottish firm, Nike. They're as comfortable as tennis shoes! ]]> Dunadd Trading Company mookien http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f298/all-black-balmoral-71985/ http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f99/starting-process-maybe-71984/ Wed, 08 Feb 2012 00:48:35 GMT I've designed a tartan for the Cardinal Highland Throwing Club. It's no huge breakthrough, I mean I just sat down at the STA's tartan design widget and played until I got something I liked.

Here it is, in the "Old Colors".... which I probably wouldn't get..



And the "modern"


I've just started an inquiry with a semi-local weaver to see if it's possible to get a single-width kilt length woven. The woman wove the stuff up for Piper George, that made his Dutch MacKay kilt, she has a nice modern electric loom. The cloth was a dense twill....Bonnie Heather made that one.

We shall see. I am braced for a laughingly expensive price, or for a "no thanks....too much for me, this is just a hobby" response, but we shall see.

Red = "Cardinal" for obvious reasons.
Green for "The Tree"......Fear the TREE!!
White because that's what the Uni uses on everything to contrast with the "cardinal"
...and gold, obviously NOT a Stanford color, because we're in California and if I have a color scheme that too-perfectly matches the Uni colors, considering the name, I run the risk of trademark violation. As it stands right now, I have the OK from the University office that handles such things, that it shouldn't be an issue. ]]> General Kilt Talk Alan H http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f99/starting-process-maybe-71984/ http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f152/rather-distinctive-sgain-dubh-71982/ Tue, 07 Feb 2012 23:55:15 GMT Hi Folks, I have wanted to have a small X Marks crest done for some time now but the tooling costs are rather high. I was able to have them done last month and here is the result and one of the... Hi Folks,

I have wanted to have a small X Marks crest done for some time now but the tooling costs are rather high.

I was able to have them done last month and here is the result and one of the possible uses for them.

I am proud to present--------

The X Marks Officer's Sgain Dubh.




Here is a detail of the handle and crest.



Right now I only have three of these. If there is interest I can request more.

Price is $68.00cdn + shipping.

Please contact me via email at steve@xmarksthescot.com

I will need.

Your Real Name _________________
Your X Marks Screen Name _______
Your Mailing Address ____________
Your Phone Number _____________
Your email Address _____________ ]]> The X Marks the Scot.com Store Steve Ashton http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f152/rather-distinctive-sgain-dubh-71982/ http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f105/last-known-wwi-veteran-dies-110-a-71981/ Tue, 07 Feb 2012 23:43:47 GMT May she rest in peace. http://news.yahoo.com/last-known-wwi-veteran-dies-110-152605465.html May she rest in peace.
http://news.yahoo.com/last-known-wwi...152605465.html ]]> Miscellaneous Forum madman79764 http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f105/last-known-wwi-veteran-dies-110-a-71981/ http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f144/started-making-sporrans-again-71980/ Tue, 07 Feb 2012 21:14:06 GMT Well after a long hiatus Ive started making sporrans again. Any comments and/or suggestions are appreciated. Image:... Well after a long hiatus Ive started making sporrans again. Any comments and/or suggestions are appreciated.



http://s1055.photobucket.com/albums/...t=IMG_0547.jpg ]]> DIY Showroom AlexB32 http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f144/started-making-sporrans-again-71980/ http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f98/victoria-b-c-burns-night-71978/ Tue, 07 Feb 2012 20:18:38 GMT Piperdown and I, along with our wives, attended a Burns Supper held at the Bay Street Armouries on January 28. The event is a fund raiser for the Victoria Highland Games Association and the Canadian... Piperdown and I, along with our wives, attended a Burns Supper held at the Bay Street Armouries on January 28. The event is a fund raiser for the Victoria Highland Games Association and the Canadian Scottish Regimental Association. There were eighty attendees, and we had a very enjoyable time. The bar in the Officers' Mess boasts one of the largest whisky collections in the city. The Regimental Museum was also open for viewing.
This is a big year for the regiment, as it is the 100th anniversary.
The ladies in the Officers' Mess.


All four of us. The painting in the background (what you can see of it) is the regiment's Colonel-in-Chief, Her Royal Highness Princess Alexandra, The Honourable Lady Ogilvy,
]]> Show us your pics Macman http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f98/victoria-b-c-burns-night-71978/ http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f98/saltire-over-yorkshire-dales-other-winter-scenes-71977/ Tue, 07 Feb 2012 20:12:32 GMT A photo opportunity if ever there was one. A couple of contrails form the Saltire over an old lead mining smelt mill chimney on the fells (glen) of the Yorkshire dales . Taken on Friday. Image:... A photo opportunity if ever there was one. A couple of contrails form the Saltire over an old lead mining smelt mill chimney on the fells (glen) of the Yorkshire dales . Taken on Friday.


Same Chimney different angle



The Yorkshire dales equivalent of the mountain goat the Swaledale sheep



a few more later

Chris ]]> Show us your pics CEF http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f98/saltire-over-yorkshire-dales-other-winter-scenes-71977/ http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f103/zoomorphic-celtic-design-71976/ Tue, 07 Feb 2012 18:51:21 GMT Has anyone looked at Zoomorphic Celtic design in Kilt Pins, Belts, Buckles and Bracelets, as opposed to what is termed traditional. Zoomorphics is the use of animal and bird forms in symbolism and... Has anyone looked at Zoomorphic Celtic design in Kilt Pins, Belts, Buckles and Bracelets, as opposed to what is termed traditional.
Zoomorphics is the use of animal and bird forms in symbolism and graphic representation.Similar to the way the Inuit culture uses them. I have seen this on some Celtic standing stones.
There is here a company in Scotland called Centaur Design that has some fine
examples of Celtic Zoomorphic accessories.
What is the thought of the Forum? I myself like the idea and have my eye on an unusual and eyecatching kilt Pin. ]]> How to Accessorize your Kilt Corrie Fee http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f103/zoomorphic-celtic-design-71976/ http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f117/just-took-plunge-71975/ Tue, 07 Feb 2012 18:39:08 GMT Placed my order with Scotweb this morning. A fairly hefty order, to be sure. (I've paid less for vehicles! LOL)

Now to begin anxiously counting down the days until I receive. The salesman was extremely helpful and "supremely confident" that I should receive everything in time for the Celtic Woman concert in 7 weeks. :) ]]> Scotweb Kilt Store unixken http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f117/just-took-plunge-71975/ http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f98/disappearing-img-http-i1108-photobucket-com-albums-h420-jimmy436-d-maid-loch-71974/ Tue, 07 Feb 2012 18:29:42 GMT Yesterday I was up at my frequent haunt at Loch Lomond Shores, the weather had been fairly foggy but it suddenly cleared leaving a bright and beautiful blue sky over the Loch but within the hour the... Yesterday I was up at my frequent haunt at Loch Lomond Shores, the weather had been fairly foggy but it suddenly cleared leaving a bright and beautiful blue sky over the Loch but within the hour the fog had returned giving the Maid of the Loch a type of Brigadoonish aspect to her as can be seen from the photographs








]]> Show us your pics Jimmy http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f98/disappearing-img-http-i1108-photobucket-com-albums-h420-jimmy436-d-maid-loch-71974/ http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f97/sherwood-forest-faire-2012-a-71973/ Tue, 07 Feb 2012 18:19:23 GMT I'd like to remind the Texas rabble that the 3rd annual Sherwood Forest Faire opens this weekend, 2/11, and runs weekends through April 1st.

http://www.sherwoodforestfaire.com/

Sherwood Forest Faire is located near McDade Texas, about 35 miles east of Austin on US Hwy 290. Sherwood has a "medieval" theme, and the faire is set around the year 1189, the time of Richard the Lionhearted and Robin Hood and his Merry Men.

This faire grows and improves every year, and it's the result of lots of hard work and dedication on the part of a lot of folks in the Texas renfaire community. If you are in the area and want to enjoy a great renfaire come on out.

I'll be there both days opening weekend, hope to see ya' ]]> Highland Games and Celtic Event Discussion Zardoz http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f97/sherwood-forest-faire-2012-a-71973/ http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f103/keep-your-feet-dry-71972/ Tue, 07 Feb 2012 17:43:13 GMT I have just been made aware of these:



They come from this site:

http://www.piperswellies.com/index.htm

And I don't know that I have anything more to say about them.

Regards

Chas ]]> How to Accessorize your Kilt Chas http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f103/keep-your-feet-dry-71972/