The colours are very reminiscent of the Clan Chattan tartan. Both the MacKintoshes and the MacPhersons vied for the chieftainship of the Clan Chattan confederation.

Stan Hamilton played "Auld Scotch Mither Mine" as a waltz although it was often sung rather more slowly as the egregiously sentimental lyrics would suggest.

(You may want to sound the lady out...

I have one. I wear it once a year. I'm part of an RSCDS dem team and our dance mistress/choreographer wants the men to wear it for one of our annual performances. I'm not terribly fond of it but...

As another Southern California piper, I assure you he's not exaggerating in the least. I can't tell you how how many funerals I've played for where the funeral director and I are the only two men...

Actually, when I think everybody knows something it's almost a compliment. I assume if I know something everybody else surely does because I'm always the last person to find out about practically...

15 years ago or more the Scots Guards pipe band was out here in California and competed at the Pleasanton games. The temperature was at least in the high 90s. . . may even have been 100+. Not...

Well, Richard, we connected after a fashion. That was I who waved at you on the north side of the competition circle from my well-positioned spectator's chair on the south side. You could only...

We shall be there dividing time between the RSCDS and the pipe band competitions.

Good luck to Long Beach in the comps, Richard.

Best,

-John-

If Glasgow can have Highlanders (cf: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glasgow_Highlanders ) surely Gilnockie can't be denied the privilege?

There is a tune for the highland pipes called Gilnockie. ...

Read the right way, there are some very useful descriptions given there. The tone is derogatory but what is often being described in fact is something in pristine condition without the unfortunate...

When my Irish-born wife was a young and single lassie she went with a Massachusetts-born fellow. She says they once had a short but heated argument when he insisted she should bring the car keys and...

No, he's not on active duty any more. And, yes, he was playing taps. In fact, you'll note that he's leaning against the flagpole for the city's flag. He wasn't able to stand unaided and he...

http://i1230.photobucket.com/albums/ee498/JPCOCDS/City%20of%20Rosemead%20Memorial%20Day_zpser02a9x6.jpg

I did a bit of piping for Memorial Day, too. This was for the City of Rosemead.

The...

http://i1230.photobucket.com/albums/ee498/JPCOCDS/IMG_00000022_zps4jrlnuwu.jpg

Thanks for the links CMcG. That seems - at least from here - to have done the trick. Fingers crossed.

I'll...

I posted it using the picture icon shown in the boxes above the blank space for typing text. The picture showed up when I clicked the "Preview" but when published, it just shows an "Attachment...

24932

Assuming the picture shows up, the ties from left to right are:

1) a tie with the tartan of my late-lamented pipe band. The band was Misty Isle, the tartan is Flower of Scotland. The...

Richard,

Congratulations to you folks in LBFD-PB. (They were in the prizes both days and aggregate winners in G-IV for the weekend.) Sounding great. And I enjoyed - as always- the chat while...

And did anyone else notice the overwhelming predominance of black kilt hose on the band members? The only white hose I can recall seeing were on the Glasgow Skye Assn band members. Otherwise, if it...

Wonky eyesight makes for a wonderfully entertaining, but sometimes bizarre, worldview. Had to click on and expand that picture third-from-the bottom to find out that those ladies had drums and not...

We'll be there . . . . already bought the tickets.

What a great thread!

My wife was born and raised in Ireland. She has an aunt and uncle immigrated to England many years ago. Her aunt had been there perhaps three months and she sounded like...

This arrived in my mailbox this morning:
http://us5.campaign-archive1.com/?u=adcb0c97be5f42e889f5dbe7d&id=72a6de2d95

It might be of some interest/use for some serious students of the language.
...

Get in touch with An Comunn Gaidhealach Ameireaganach , The American Scottish Gaelic Society. at this link: http://www.acgamerica.org/

They have links to local classes in various areas. In the...

That's what this lady's doing:

http://donnawilsonsblog.blogspot.com/2013/11/designing-new-tartan-for-aberdeenshire.html?m=1

The method seems a bit dicey. . .but what do I know. I've never...

That's the picture! A very elegant representative for Clan Maxwell.

(Thanks, Mattie. My picture-posting talents leave something to be desired.)

Cheers,

-John-