The Overlooked Nos. 91 & 92 !!

**Hamish** · 15th November 08, 11:14 AM

I fear I have sinned!

It was a chance enquiry from Cherub that prompted me into checking things out, and I found he was correct - I had not posted details of Nos. 91 and 92 in The Kilt Kollection! Do not ask me how this came about, because I have absolutely no idea, and all I may do now is to set the record straight without further delay.

First, No.91 then. This, I am afraid, goes back to July at which time the Kollection stood at 90 kilts. Within the sacks of Birthday greetings delivered by Royal Mail in the third week of that month was a rather special card, carefully and cleverly hand-made by Derek and Christine (dwg69 and his wife). I felt that so much work and thought had been put into the making of the card that it deserved to be located appropriately for all time. They had labelled it as No.91, and so No.91 it has remained. The tartan is McUnknown, Dress McUnknown to be precise, and here it is:
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We all know its pleats are to the front (of course, had they been corectly positioned, we would not be seeing them!), and the sporran chain weighs a Ton and a Half, but I can forgive those minor points. To my mind, THIS is my No.91 and it has been lodged, and archived, in The Kollection.

No.92 was not ordered with any intention of being included in The Kollection. It was to be an everyday, knock-about, possibly roughly treated kilt which I found on a website one day when idly surfing - as one does. However, when it came, I was stunned by the quality of not only the workmanship but also of the fabric. This was not the cheapest kilt out there, but neither was it an expensive kilt. It was made in Scotland, the all-wool tartan was woven in Scotland, its leather straps and the buckles are of the quality used by most kiltmakers - not cheap rubbish - and I was very impressed. So much so, that it immediately went into The Kollection to be worn when any others might be worn.

I know Trefor has one of these kilts but I did not realise, until I received mine, that they are in the same tartan and from the same stable. Mine received its first official appearance when I wore it to compere the evening concert at Derek's Folk Festival event in Cardiff, Wales in September. So, for those who have not already scrolled down to look at it, here are the piccies we all love to see when new treasured kilts come into the lives of our brethren:
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This is the unofficial, and somewhat disputed, Macmillan Black tartan which is classified and registered as a 'Fashion' tartan - but I like it very much and, as I said, the kilt was intended as a knock-about garment anyway. It came from the Marchbrae/The Woollen Mill website. They are based in Edinburgh, on the Royal Mile, but are not associated with any other establishment nearby - and I might well be tempted to look at their other tartans quite soon!

My apologies for the earlier oversight.

Take care,
Ham.

**Ayin McFye** · 15th November 08, 11:21 AM

LOL at #91, but WOW to #92. I definitely love the colors of that tartan. They blend very well, and also jump out at you too. Great choice as per usual. You truly are a lucky individual and envied by all kilt wearers.

slainte!

**Tim Little** · 15th November 08, 11:22 AM

You never fail to impress, Hamish!

I find the kilt pin on #92 quite intriguing. Any chance you could post a close-up of it, and/or let us know where you found it?

Thanks!

**ForresterModern** · 15th November 08, 12:08 PM

Beautiful in both cases.

I too had been interested in the unofficial Black Macmillan from the same vendor in their 6 yd style, and your post sent me back there to remember why I hadn't ordered it when I was thinking about it first---unfortunately the cross atlantic shipping adds another $60US to the $160US price tag. Ouch. Glad to hear the quality was up to your high standards though, as that may tip the scales.

Thanks for the pics, Ham.

**pdcorlis** · 15th November 08, 12:14 PM

Wonderful as usual good sir. Hats off to Derek and Christine for their lovely gift and the Woollen Mill kilt is absolutely stunning. I had the good fortune of visiting their shop in Edinburgh when Kim and I were there last May. Thy are very nice people.