G-8 Tartan

[Thistle Stop]

Are the World leaders going to wear kilts in that Tartan for a photo op?

Oh, please! Raphael, not even Tony Blair in a kilt would make the man acceptable!

Did you see Tony Blair in one of Howie Nicholsby's pinstripe kilt suits at Tartan Day in NYC last year? He looked absolutely dreadful in it -- not to mention, it wasn't TARTAN, for Tartan Day! (Hamish, you, on the other hand, look brilliant in Howie's kilts!) I wonder if all the bad press he got about it is part of the reason he's not attending Tartan Day here this year?

Actually, Cyndi, you are thinking of Scotland's First Minister, Jack McConnell. He told me that he arrived in NYC for Tartan Day and realised that he'd left his own tartan kilt behind in Edinburgh. At the 11th hour, he asked Howie for help - Howie was 'dressing' the Dressed to Kilt fashion show - but the only spare kilt he had in Jack's rather rotund size (!) was the "pinstripe". It was really a matter of raiding the dressing-up box to find things to fit him (as soon became evident!). Jack McC. wanted to wear the pinstripe jacket that went with the kilt, but he simply could not get into it.

Howie was not pleased with the outcome (but welcomed all the ensuing free publicity), but Jack McC. insisted on wearing the kilt, no matter what!

I have heard that story from both parties and they do agree, so I guess I believe it to be true. The Press wanted to make more of it, of course. Nevertheless, the fact remains that Jack should have stuck with his trousered suit under the circumstances!

Yes, I wrote Blair at first by mistake, as I'd just read his name in your post, but I meant Jack McC and I corrected it, but not before you read the error! I'm glad to hear the explanation of why he wore that kilt (big mistake on his part!) because I wondered what on earth possessed him -- and Howie -- to do it!

I've been talking to Brian Wilton, yesterday and today, about various and sundry things, including the G-eight tartan, for which he's swamped with orders. The Scottish press have made much of the fact that Cherie Blair (an Englishwoman, God forbid!) selected the winning tartan for the G8 competition, and some journalists have said the whole thing was run from London, which is completely untrue. It was initiated by a Scottish cashmere producer and run by the STA. Six impartial SCOTTISH judges narrowed the field of 19 entries down to the final three before it was given over to Cherie to pick a winner. I'm sure she was given the honour simply because she's the PM's wife (I suppose Camilla wasn't available - ha ha ha!)

PLEASE, Cyndi, NEVER mention that "C" woman's name in my hearing, ever again!

Which one? Cherie or Camilla?