greetings from the far south

**Mike_Oettle** · 11th June 10, 02:50 AM

Hello everyone! It’s great to join a community of kilt-wearers, even if I am somewhat lacking in that area.
My name is Mike Oettle. I was born in Cape Town, and grew up there and on a farm 300km north of the Mother City.
My family wasn’t really Scots-oriented. My father’s people are not from Britain at all (German, Huguenot and Afrikaner), and my mother’s family had a strong English influence, since her father was a leading figure in the Sons of England.
But my grannie was the daughter of a Scot. Also, as a boy, I was taken to a pipe band parade, and a deep emotion was stirred that has not been stilled.
My mobile phone’s ringtone is Scotland the Brave.
When I did my military service I had the good fortune to be posted to a kilted regiment. During my nine months’ initial training this meant little, as I was in a general training battalion (infantry). But after that I attended camps with the regiment — and at the very first camp I was issued with kilt, tam o’shanter and pouch, and took part in a stirring Presentation of the Colour parade. The general who presented the colour said he had never seen such a smart parade.
We never again had such emphasis on parade performance, but I was with the regiment for eight years, and had the kilt for nine before I handed it in.
My great regret was that I did not make more use of it as a civilian.
The high price of importing a kilt to South Africa put me off the idea of purchasing one for more than three decades, but just lately I have become more involved in matters concerning Scottish dress.
I have designed more than 60 tartans at Scotweb, and have them on display on Facebook.
What I did retain from my army kit was my threadbare old tammie, made in about 1941 or ’42 and worn by many a Jock before me, which has kept my head warm for many a winter.
But I now plan to purchase a new one, and next year I aim to purchase my first kilt — in denim, since my wife baulks at the cost of tartan.
That does not mean I don’t have tartan ambitions — watch this space.
My other interests are history, genealogy and heraldry, and for many years I also collected stamps.
I have already made contact with two fellow heraldists on X Marks the Scot, and I look forward to making many new friends.
Best regards,
Mike

**MacGuffin** · 11th June 10, 03:08 AM

It's great to hear from a kilt enthusiast from around the globe. Especially veterans of the armed forces .
Best of luck on getting a kilt you will be proud of.

**Downunder Kilt** · 11th June 10, 03:12 AM

Hi Mike and welcome to XMTS from one of your distant next door neighbours.

I don't know how you or your wife are at sewing but if you Google X kilts, and go to the site listed you will find a free pdf download with excellent instructions of how to make a modern kilt from poly/cotton, denim, canvas, in fact you could probably adapt it to many fabrics. Alan H, a member of this forum, developed and wrote the instructions and from memory I think he said the materials would cost under $50 dollars. Anyhow just a suggestion if you want to do it

**Chas** · 11th June 10, 03:31 AM

Hello Mike,

Nice to 'officially' welcome you to XMarks from way up north, in the middle of Thetford Forest, in Norfolk, England.

Regards

Chas

**Mael Coluim** · 11th June 10, 04:45 AM

from the Old Dominion State!

**Dr. Mac** · 11th June 10, 07:08 AM

from Bryan/College Station!

**KiltedKnome** · 11th June 10, 07:12 AM

Welcome to XMarks. Port Elizabeth is a lovely place. I used to live in Lesotho, and visited PE a couple of times. You need to go up on the XMarks map and stick a pin in your location!