Harpenden Highland Gathering

**###KILTEDKIWI###** · 15th July 09, 08:35 PM

Peter Myfatherhasthebiggestpotatoes. It's a cultural thing

Thats blinkin priceless.

Also, I have reason to believe that these pics are photoshopped, as everyone i talk to who has travelled / lived in the UK tells me it rains all the time...looks like a great day... ;)

great pics and post.

**David Dalglish** · 15th July 09, 11:45 PM

Great set of Pictures

**McClef** · 16th July 09, 01:30 AM

Great set of pictures indeed.

There were a couple more pipe bands than last year but the crowds watching seem less and it's not just the X Markers who didn't make it this year that are responsible for the difference.

But maybe there will be more of us there again next year.

**cessna152towser** · 16th July 09, 02:25 AM

Fabulous pictures and videos Chas, sorry I couldn't make it this year.
Obviously a warm day otherwise the young lady drummer in your "Last Band Leaving the Field" video would have realised that the front selvedge of her kilt was snagged on her drum.
The commentator needs a lesson on etiquette though, he should not be doing voice-overs while the bands are playing.

**Ancienne Alliance** · 16th July 09, 03:11 AM

Thank you for posting !

Just like being there.

Best,

Robert

**Chas** · 16th July 09, 04:38 AM

Originally Posted by Paul.

great pics and videos!
You're descriptions are nice and clear and the popatoes thing is hilarious. I can believe it though.

He was so proud of his father's potatoes - and I was struggling not to laugh. He wanted to send me an email with pictures of the potatoes, but - when you've seen one potato; you've seen them all.

Originally Posted by ###KILTEDKIWI###

Thats blinkin priceless.

Also, I have reason to believe that these pics are photoshopped, as everyone i talk to who has travelled / lived in the UK tells me it rains all the time...looks like a great day... ;)great pics and post.

It was a hot bright day. I was wearing a Balmoral and my glasses are photo-chromatic (the brighter it is the darker they get). On Monday I looked like a panda - red face and white eyes and a white band half way up my forehead.

Originally Posted by McClef

Great set of pictures indeed. There were a couple more pipe bands than last year but the crowds watching seem less and it's not just the X Markers who didn't make it this year that are responsible for the difference.

But maybe there will be more of us there again next year.

There should have had a fifth band - the British Airways Pipe Band. But it seems that they are victims of the recession as well. BA has withdrawn funding for them - so if it doesn't pay; they don't go. They have never had to worry about funding in the past and have no money at all now. Everything belongs to BA and the word is that they might be defunct before the end of the year.

Originally Posted by cessna152towser

Fabulous pictures and videos Chas, sorry I couldn't make it this year.Obviously a warm day otherwise the young lady drummer in your "Last Band Leaving the Field" video would have realised that the front selvedge of her kilt was snagged on her drum. The commentator needs a lesson on etiquette though, he should not be doing voice-overs while the bands are playing.

Alex, the atmosphere and feel of the event was almost like Hawick, just not quite as good. It is as they say "A day out with a Scottish Flavour".

I have a new 'wish list' and at the top is not a kilt, but a new camcorder. I was using my little Sony Cyber-shot. A good pocket camera, but it only has a 3X zoom.

I will definitely be going again next year. There were many kilties and ex-pat Scots there and all I talked to were interested in X Marks. So for next year, a new camcorder, lots of cards to give out and, almost forgot, a new kilt.

Regards

Chas

**Paul** · 16th July 09, 02:03 PM

Originally Posted by Chas

He was so proud of his father's potatoes - and I was struggling not to laugh. He wanted to send me an email with pictures of the potatoes, but - when you've seen one potato; you've seen them all.

I come from a long line of Irish farmers... I think I am genetically supposed to be impressed by potatoes therefore I probably would have atleast symphathized! haha

**McClef** · 16th July 09, 02:12 PM

Sad news about the BA pipe band - remember them from last year and what a gorgeous tartan they had!

**Hamish** · 19th July 09, 11:43 AM

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.

**Chas** · 19th July 09, 02:40 PM

Originally Posted by Hamish

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