Last year as I was recovering from my heart failure I asked my friend Hamish if I might be permitted to wear his tartan. He kindly gave me his permission and over the course of the year eventually it was decided that a small batch of the Bicknell tartan would be run.
Our mutual friend Paul Henry found a small mill and visited and carefully worked with Ham to get exactly the colors he wanted for this second run. The colors are a bit more muted than the first one (of which Ham is the only possessor of a kilt in that tartan weaving).

After many months the tartan was woven and my kilt made it to the top of Paul's work list, and yesterday it arrived on my door.

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I had it pleated to the stripe

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I wore it to the San Jose Scottish Country Dance class that night with a bit of a modern flair that I knew would please both Paul and Ham

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"Have dance ghilles, Will Travel"

The colors as you can see are just lovely and subtle and just perfect for brown accessories and highland daywear, so today I decided to dress up a bit before heading to my daughter's school where I volunteer and work.


WARNING THERE BE PEACOCKS AHEAD!


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At by daughter's school in "full plumage"

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Back shot

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Action shot while reading a fun little book on the apostrophe to some kids at the school library

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Ham's tartan is not a flashy tartan. It is lovely and subtle and I am very proud to wear it.

If anyone would like a review of Paul Henry's work I'll post a quick one and a couple of interior photos in a moment below. I do have one thing to note. This was a very special and limited run of the Bicknell tartan. Ham does not intend at this time to have another in the foreseeable future and I think he would greatly appreciate not being solicited for permissions or requests to have a part of the "next run". This is his personal tartan and if he should wish to make it available again he will initiate that process.

That said, next up a quick review!

Cheers

Jamie

PS: OOPS! As XMTS' resident tartan peacock I almost forgot to show the kilt pin I chose for Hamish's tartan!

here it is…


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:pith:

Quick review : Paul Henry Kilts

I am very pleased with the quality of the kilt Paul made for me. I appreciated him taking the time to show me pleating options with test pictures (since I am a "to the stripe" sort of fellow). The kilt is well made and fits perfectly. Here are a few details.

The lining was chosen to fit the wearer and tartan

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The sporrans straps (just two) were dyed to match the red stripe

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(By the by nothing screamed so much that Paul was a day-to-day kilt wearer as the fact that the holes on the straps were large and easy to buckle)

Fun little touch

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The fringe on the front apron is a triple one which is also rather nice looking (though sadly I don't have a photo of it).

In any case I would say that I am very pleased with Paul's work and would recommend Paul Henry's Kilts especially if the buyer were looking for something especially particular.

Cheers

Jamie

Jamie
Wonderful kilt and excellent review. I can not think of anyone else who would be more suited to having this tartan but you. Of course you wear it well. Congratulations on a wonderful addition to your Kollection.

Excellent colourway for the tartan Jamie and, as many others have said, Paul does fantastic work. Congratulations on a fine acquisition. As usual, you do the outfit great credit. Cheers

Jamie,
You kept me hanging for much of the thread, as much as I love the kilt I was dying to see the lining. Fantastic! Hats off to Paul.

Pairs perfectly with that tweed jacket you acquired not too long ago. I say you and Paul Henry have done Hamish proud!

Wow! Just...WOW!

Paul's certainly a master craftsman. Very generous of Hamish. Great outfits, Jamie.

:clap:

That is a beautiful tartan and kilt. Paul does fantastic work.

I do have to ask, where did you got that jacket?

Nice... Very nice... Very nice indeed.

Love the pin too...

Beautiful tartan, beautiful colours. I love it.