Having read that life became unsustainable on Hirta in part because of changes to the structures of the islanders’ homes in the 19th century that rendered them uncomfortable and cold, I feel that...

That is an interesting viewpoint. But when you consider that many (or most) of the tartans it includes were figments of the authors’ imaginations, I would suggest that later works are more reliable,...

In South Africa I suspect there are clan societies active in places like Cape Town and Johannesburg, but I have never encountered them in the Eastern Cape.
I have attended some functions of the Port...

Congrats, Kamilavamp, on losing all that weight. But along the way you seem to have lost most of your beard!
I hope your wife hasn’t insisted that you trim it (that’s my wife’s favourite nasty trick...

Just wish I could see your outfit, Jamie.
Anyhow, a blessed Christmas and a prosperous New Year (not to mention a good Hogmanay) to all the X Markers.
Regards,
Mike

The outfit as a whole is stunning, Glen, and I especially like the sporran. You refer to it as being MoD, but I presume that means the cantle only, since the body of it appears to have been a recent...

A lot of the movies listed are ones that I have never seen, so I cannot rate them. Others were all too familiar.
My list is:

The Lord of the Rings trilogy.
Murder on the Orient Express.
A...

What a pity the only picture I could see in this thread was the one Richard posted of the Port Moody band.
And actually I think their hose was very smart indeed.
As for the rest, I can only go on...

May I add my thanks for these pictures too, Julia?
I love to see structures and landscapes like these. I was, however, disappointed to see that you kept your dark glasses on :lol:
I also enjoyed...

Richard, many thanks for that fascinating response, and those most interesting links.
I am especially intrigued to see that the Ulster remnant came from Dungiven, which happens to be the name my...

National caricatures also come back to torment us in South Africa.
People think of the Boer farmer in khaki shorts as archetypal, or the “Zulu” warrior (often fat and middle-aged, and wearing a lot...

Wilson Ancient is a good choice, Sean.
The Wilson tartan originated with the famous weaving firm of Wilson’s of Bannockburn, originators of a great many well-known tartans.
It was not originally a...

I just love that pun, Jack Daw.

Interesting remark by O’Callaghan about new recruits being photographed in uniforms they had not been taught how to wear properly.
Rather different from when I was in basic training and was not...

Richard, I have a question for you: since at least the 19th century, the Great Highland Pipes have been made of blackwood and ivory. The Great War Pipes used by Irish bands since the late 19th...

I’m with Lyon Court on this one.
It took no action until a complaint was made. The complaint having been made, it took the matter up with the clubs.
Since the Ayr badge not only adopts a shield...

Roy, while I have designed several tartans, I have registered only one.
I hope that in the long run it will be a district tartan for South Africa, but I have accepted that it must, for the time...

Ryan, you have been nitpicking with Peter all along, and now you accuse him of toying with you.
I also am curious about old tartans, but Peter is the undisputed expert.

Peter, I would be most...

DaveDove, since the only dance programme my wife watches on TV is the BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing, these celebs are totally unknown to me. But good on you for wearing the kilt and being in the...

An interesting choice, but I feel the blocks out of which the “plaid” is made are a bit too large, making it hard to recognise that it is a tartan at all, let alone Gordon.
And when the band needs...

Reading that other thread (link provided by Dughlas mor) I was somewhat surprised that a tam would need any jocking, since mine did not.
But it seems the one that MacKenzie bought certainly did want...

Peter, having spent a fair amount of time wading through the SRT website (going through for the third time, and still not done with it), I have noticed a lot of anomalies. I am sure you have picked...

Star Wars meets Ghost Busters!

Great exposure of the kilt, Zardoz. Keep it up!

That’s a pity, Richard. Any chance of getting him interested at this stage – or perhaps later, when he no longer things he knows everything? :wink:

Alex, that would seem to be because in many people’s minds only the Highlands and the Islands are of any interest.
Since my Scottish ancestors were from the region south of Glasgow, I heartily...