Well, actually it was when Jim and Ham. met Howie. Yes, last Saturday afternoon, Jim and I went up to the capital to meet with Howie Nicholsby at his 'Geoffrey (Tailor)/21st Century Kilts' monthly London showroom. This is a regular event held at the Ramada Jarvis Hotel. Jim wanted to make a couple of purchases and I wanted to go through the tartan swatch books!

At the end of the day's business, and after the crowds had dispersed (!), we managed to snap a few photos aided and abetted by Stewart, Howie's sales assistant who is usually to be found at the shop on Edinburgh's Royal Mile or at the Edinburgh Weaving Mill next to The Castle. Every month, Howie tries to bring to London a different member of his staff from the family's retail shops north of the border. Good experience for them, plus a weekend in London ..... it can't be bad!

So, to the photos:

Here Howie (in a gorgeous country tweed kilt, part of a 3 piece suit) goes through the swatches of the family's own range of GT tartans - which are all woven at the Edinburgh Weaving Mill - with Jim in his Baillie kilt and me in one of my early TFCK Worsted kilts.

By the way, it was not until I saw these photos that I realised I was wearing my sporran too low - my apologies for looking such a mess!

Two more similar shots:



Howie and me beside the racks of sample kilts, jackets, etc. which are used to show the different styles and alternative materials available:


Finally, Stewart and Howie chatting over the day's business just before we all retired to the hotel's bar for a bevvie or three.


Next month's London showroom will be held on February 10th and 11th. Attendance by appointment only - call the Edinburgh HQ on 0131 226 1555 for yours!