Harpenden Highland Gathering

**ghostlight** · 16th July 09, 07:44 PM

A fantastic array of photos. Thank you very much for sharing them with us.

**Wolfhawk** · 16th July 09, 10:34 PM

Looks like all the fun to be had was right there at your event.

**Arizona Scot** · 17th July 09, 12:23 AM

Great photos thanks for sharing, really enjoyed the commentary also.

**caig** · 17th July 09, 02:27 AM

Well done Chas for letting us all attend the games from our armchairs. Great photos. I have been threatening for some years to get to Harpenden but maybe next year !

Good to see you with Balmoral and cromach.

**Tartan Shortbread Jock** · 17th July 09, 03:29 AM

Hello Chas, how are you today.
Great pictures, just loved the
soldiers from Waterloo.
Kind wishes.

**Chas** · 17th July 09, 04:06 AM

Originally Posted by acaig

Well done Chas for letting us all attend the games from our armchairs. Great photos. I have been threatening for some years to get to Harpenden but maybe next year! Good to see you with Balmoral and cromach.

Hi Alan,

The Balmoral, I bought a few weeks ago and modified it to take a cap badge. I am wearing my RAF cap badge for the time being, with the dandelion plant badge above.

The cromach, I got at the gathering. The stickmaker (kilted) had set up shop at first light and was the first to start business. I walked over and chatted (kiltie to kiltie); he spotted my RAF cap badge and we chatted about old times ( he was a cook in the RAF). We moved on to talking about sticks and stickmaking. We found that we both knew the late, great Theo Fossil - possibly the best stickmaker of all time. I had spotted the cromach as I approached his stall and finally enquired as to the price. It was in the £100 rack, but for a fellow kiltie, he said £45. Suddenly, he said "I don't see many ex-RAF - 25 quid and it's yours!" So £25 later and it was mine. It has a lovely balance and the height is right - I like it.

I am still working on making my own, but that could take another year till the wood is properly dry.

Regards

Chas

**cessna152towser** · 19th July 09, 03:13 PM

Yes, Chas, at risk of taking the thread off topic, I can also recall being told that only the sporran belt and not the kilt belt ought to go through the loops. I pass both my kilt belt and my sporran belt through the loops which is my personal preference, I think it should really come down to personal choice.