Impressive Surroundings

[MACKAY]

I am a long time member, actually a 'Fellow', in a UK chartered industry organization called "The Business Continuity Institute", or the BCI.

For those of you who are interested, I am a Business Continuity Professional - the guy that plans for the unexpected disaster or other interruption (fire/flood/terrorist attack) that has the potential to put my company out of business for any period of time through either impacting our production data centers, or inhibiting our employees from getting to work or occupying their work space. I'm one of those Private Sector Emergency Management idiots that you see running towards the disaster, if you see me running away ... then you damn well better follow because it's big! For more info please feel free to go to http://thebci.org/design2005/

Now, for the pupose of my post (I promise it is kilt related) The BCI holds an annual meeting in the UK each November, and it is usually a very formal affair, usually held in a prestigious hotel or establishment somewhere in the UK. The last one I attended a few years ago was held at the 'Reform Club' in London where the guest of honor was PM Tony Blair, the other I attended was held at the Tower of London.

A few months ago I received permission to attend this years event from my current employer as they are very supportive of my Fellow status, as well as being a way to reward some hard work without really giving me a pay raise - not what I or the wife wanted as a trip to the UK doesn't pay the mortgage, but I'm smart enough to know how things work so I'll take it.

Well anyhow, I received this month’s newsletter and to my surprise the annual meeting was to be held in Edinburgh, which was cool enough for me as I had visions of hitting the pubs and getting a wee bit of Scottish dirt rubbed into my kilts! But then I read the following:

"BCI Symposium 2005 - 3/4th November – it has just been confirmed that the BCI Gala Dinner will be held this year in the Grand Hall of Edinburgh Castle on 3rd November 2005. We are extremely honoured to have been granted permission to hold our major annual social event in such impressive surroundings."

How cool is that! Of course I now need a few things as I have absolutely no intention of missing this opportunity to wear my Mackay Kilt to this dinner, and since it is black tie, I have some shopping to do.

For this I would appreciate any feedback on the following from those in the know so as to not embarrass myself, or any of my Scottish American brothers, other members and my UK hosts. What do I wear? Should I go Prince Charlie or Argyll? Dice hose or plain, gillies or wing tips, knife? Fly Plaid? Fur sporran or leather? Etc... Should I rent all but the kilt, or should I bring my own?

I figured I am only going to get one chance this lifetime to attend a major social event in Edinburgh Castle, so I might as well go all out!

Thanks much all ...

Brian Mackay
'Manu Forti'