Tartan Day is Nigh

[Hamish]

Hi,

Just a timely warning to all kilt-wearers and Scotophiles over there in the USA.

'Tartan Week' is due to hit NYC from 1st April, 2004 and here is a link to what it's all about:

http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/040310/nyw114_1.html

It's great to see that my good friend Howie ("TFCK") Nicholsby from Edinburgh is participating, both on his own account and at the "Dressed to Kilt" Fashion Show.

You don't know how lucky you are! We don't have a Tartan Week (not even a Tartan Day) here in the United Kingdom!![/url]

[David in Maryland]

I will be marching in the Cherry Blossom Parade on April 3 in Washington D.C. as part of the Tartan Day Committee. The Tartan Day committee has asked the surrounding Scottish societies to volunteer one person from each to march, so I volunteered for St. Andrew's Society of Mid-Maryland, of which I am the vice-president. So, come to D.C. on April 3 and see men walking around in kilts. And here's to hoping that there will be women walking around in tartan mini skirts.

[Rhino]

Hi Hamish,
I know we haven't been introduced but I'm flying to Edinburgh tomorrow, so if it's ok with you, I'll pass your regards to Howie as I'll be meeting up with him whilst there.
He's certainly a charismatic chap.
Cheers Rhino

[Hamish]

Hi Hamish,
I know we haven't been introduced but I'm flying to Edinburgh tomorrow, so if it's ok with you, I'll pass your regards to Howie as I'll be meeting up with him whilst there.
He's certainly a charismatic chap.
Cheers Rhino

Yes, please do, Rhino.

I was with him in London just a couple of weeks ago, at which time I gave him an order for another kilt (my 12th TFCK!!). This one is in a fine, tan corduroy/needlecord.

Enjoy Edinburgh, and

[richardljohnson]

I'm looking forward to Tartan Day. I'm getting together some things for a local Library and will be setting up a display in a few weeks. I've got a rough idea about how I want to do it and I'm getting some information together. Any thoughs or suggestions would be helpful.

Thanks,
RLJ-

[Rhino]

Hi Hamish,
your regards to Mr. Nicholsby has been given, and, returned from him in kind.
He certainly seems busy, he was meeting some journalists today from America and organising photo shoots and all sorts of new designs and accessories.
I have to say Edinburgh wasn't the best place to be out for beer in a kilt last night (Sunday). Maybe it was due to the Hibernians game as a lot of football supporters were out and drunk.
Only myself and Howie were in kilts but had a good deal of abuse shouted from cars, one guy was livid with us for wearing them and was bundled into a taxi by his friends still swearing and screaming.
It didn't improve in the pub either with (sorry Al) a few geordies giving us the dead eye and passing comment.
Culminating in a small band of scots approaching us with the light of battle in their beady eyes,(please bear in mind I was the only English guy in Howies group). This was very much Scots taking offence at Scots wearing kilts???
Fortunately a bit of fast chat averted any fisticuffs
and the incident didn't put a dampner on the evening, but how bizzarre, arguably the kilt making capital of the world seems to be the worst place to wear one.
As a balance to this when I have been there before I haven't had any problems at all, I'm sure it was loads of miserable Hibs supporters.
If anyones interested Livingston beat the Hibs 2-0.
Cheers Rhino

[Hamish]

Hi Hamish,
your regards to Mr. Nicholsby has been given, and, returned from him in kind.

Thanks Rhino.

He certainly seems busy, he was meeting some journalists today from America and organising photo shoots and all sorts of new designs and accessories.

Ah, yes. Howie has a big charity fashion show, "Dressed to Kilt", coming up in New York in a few weeks' time. It's part of the "Tartan Week" celebrations. He never stops, that boy!

I have to say Edinburgh wasn't the best place to be out for beer in a kilt last night (Sunday). Maybe it was due to the Hibernians game as a lot of football supporters were out and drunk.
Only myself and Howie were in kilts but had a good deal of abuse shouted from cars, one guy was livid with us for wearing them and was bundled into a taxi by his friends still swearing and screaming.
It didn't improve in the pub either with (sorry Al) a few geordies giving us the dead eye and passing comment.
Culminating in a small band of scots approaching us with the light of battle in their beady eyes,(please bear in mind I was the only English guy in Howies group). This was very much Scots taking offence at Scots wearing kilts???
Fortunately a bit of fast chat averted any fisticuffs
and the incident didn't put a dampner on the evening, but how bizzarre, arguably the kilt making capital of the world seems to be the worst place to wear one.
As a balance to this when I have been there before I haven't had any problems at all, I'm sure it was loads of miserable Hibs supporters.
If anyones interested Livingston beat the Hibs 2-0.
Cheers Rhino

Well I have to say that I have never experienced any problems with kilt wearing in Edinburgh - apart from the Tourists who are constantly wanting to be photographed with me, and almost anyone wearing the kilt! You must be right - it had to be the football supporters causing all the trouble this weekend.

I don't think you told us whether or not you were meeting with Howie to order a kilt, Rhino! Well, did you, and if so, what was it?

[Rhino]

Hi Hamish,
No I wasn't ordering a kilt mainly because I can't afford another one just yet.
The story is that I have been exploring the possibility of moving to Edinburgh/Scotland for some time and was there on a kind of fact finding mission. Strangley enough the RCN Scotland was holding a job rally opposite our appartment, mainly targetting students though.
Having met Howie initially at the clothes show at the NEC I met up with him whilst in Edinburgh in Jan to order a kilt for my birthday, (couldn't decide which one so my wife suggested I have 2. I love that woman!).
I think the next kilt from TFCK will be for my wife, but I'm not going to let that young pup measure her for it. He's too personable for his own good.
Oh if you're interested she wants a mini kilt in charcoal grey with fuschia pink pinstripes, the same in fact as Vernon Kay the TV presenter (except his wont be a mini, at least I hope not).
Sorry to go on but I've found myself chuckling as I type, the reason is up until three months ago I wouldn't have known what fuschia pink was never mind looked like, as long as clothes covered me I didn't care what they were made of or looked like or anything else and now I find myself thinking 'mmm that would look good with the black kilt,' and when I'm wearing one I am much more aware of my stance, surroundings and...well everything really.
It's an exciting new world I find myself in, great can't wait to enjoy it!!! 8)
Cheers Rhino