Harpenden Highland Gathering

[Chas]

Firstly, a great series of images of the Harpenden Gathering we know and love so well. Thank you, Chas. I have attended the previous four annual events and I have to say, it looks and sounds as if nothing has changed at all this year! Still, I am glad you enjoyed it and, as others have said, perhaps we can pick up where we left off and have a wee meet-up at Harpenden again next year. Your 'Stick Man' is there every year and is a really nice sort of chap. We've chatted and been photographed together but I have never bought from him - I guess I am well enough provided for in the stick department!

As for your comments about the fellow in the photo above: that was precisely how I was instructed to wear my belt and sporran strap way back in the 1950s. There being no Internet in those days, I studied photos, sent for kiltmakers' paper catalogues and wrote to Highland Dress suppliers for guidance, because I was ignorant of many facts regarding what was right and what was wrong. Without exception I was advised to wear the waist belt through the loops and the sporran strap outside them. In all the years since then I have implicitly followed those guidelines and, in practice, that is the only way to wear them.Take care,Ham.

Hi Hamish,

In all honesty, I do not know and only go by what I have learnt here. I have heard from Steve Ashton and others that the loops are to stop the sporran strap falling down and if the kilt belt is worn through the loops for any length of time the kilt will be distorted. I know no more, but am always willing to be instructed.

Regards

Chas