A belated introduction.

**Danwell** · 20th February 11, 04:21 AM

I've been around here for quite some time and joined up a couple of months ago because I enjoyed reading the forum so much. I have made a few posts in that time, but have never really introduced myself properly.

I'm Dan, and I'm from south east Queensland in Australia. I've always been interested in both kilting and piping - but neither as a result of the other, strangely enough. I discovered XMTS long before I found a pipe teacher, but I think that my interests in both complement each other (and seem to worsen the disorders attached to each!).

My first kilt was a box pleat by John at Keltoi, in the MacDonald of Clanranald (muted) tartan. I still don't have any photos of me wearing it yet, but I did put some photos up in my thread in John's section of the forum. It is absolutely incredible........unbelievably comfortable and I think it looks great on.

At the same time I was waiting for this to come I ordered some Holyrood from Marton Mills. When it came, I contacted Doug and Karen at All Things Tartan in Ipswich, QLD. Karen made my nearly 9 yard knife pleat kilt (a tank in every meaning of the word!!) for me shortly after. Again, I am blown away by the quality of work.

In the mean time I ordered some bits and pieces from around the world to complete an outfit including dreaded ghillies, a slightly too small jacket (the sleeves aren't long enough - the next one will have to be a custom one), a seal skin sporran and cheapie belt and buckle. As funds permit and time goes on, I'm looking to supplement what I've got with some more high quality items - probably beginning with a jacket from one of our sponsors.

I do have a photo of some of what I've currently got (and in my Holyrood kilt) - and I'd like some feedback from the rabble if it's not too much to ask. Before you comment, consider the following: the tie does have a blue stripe through it with the light silver and black, but this doesn't show on the photo; likewise, the shirt is actually white and gray, with diagonal stripes. The hose are a dark gray, and were my wife's choice. I'd have worn lovat blue if it were my choice. And finally......the ghillies. I don't have any suitable footwear aside from my band ghillies, but I will get some nice oxfords further down the track.

Cheers.

**McClef** · 20th February 11, 04:37 AM

A belated

from South Wales UK!

**Jock Scot** · 20th February 11, 04:41 AM

G'day and welcome from Inverness-shire. I trust that your weather down there has been behaving itself recently?

Well we all have to start somewhere and in fact you have made a good start.You are well aware of where you are at and where you want to go in the kilt world. If I might suggest that you raise the kilt so that it is no lower than the centre of you kneecap and you could raise the kilt even higher to be level with the top of your kneecap and still be right.I also think that you could turn down your hose a tad more too.

On my picture there seems to be a swarm some sort of rare Antipodean blue fly buzzing around your head, I hope they are not lethal like much of your flora and fauna seem to be! Sorry, I could not resist that!

**Danwell** · 20th February 11, 04:57 AM

Originally Posted by Jock Scot

G'day and welcome from Inverness-shire. I trust that your weather down there has been behaving itself recently?

Well we all have to start somewhere and in fact you have made a good start.You are well aware of where you are at and where you want to go in the kilt world. If I might suggest that you raise the kilt so that it is no lower than the centre of you kneecap and you could raise the kilt even higher to be level with the top of your kneecap and still be right.I also think that you could turn down your hose a tad more too.

On my picture there seems to be a swarm some sort of rare Antipodean blue fly buzzing around your head, I hope they are not lethal like much of your flora and fauna seem to be! Sorry, I could not resist that!

The angle on which the photo was taken makes the kilt look longer than it really is - it actually sits slightly above the middle of my knee. Point taken re the length of the hose though

Those flies seem to be a problem of mine - I think they're a symptom of my (current) unwillingess to have photos of myself floating around cyberspace. Maybe in time they'll recede?

**Chas** · 20th February 11, 06:17 AM

Hello Dan,

Welcome to XMarks from the other side of the world in Norfolk, England.

Regards

Chas

**Duke of Delrio** · 20th February 11, 12:29 PM

Welcome to XMarks, and thanks for posting the photos. MacDonald of Clanranald (muted) and Holyrood are two tartans which have always been favorites of mine. Wear them in good health!

**Sharkman** · 20th February 11, 03:12 PM

Hi Danwell,

If you're here and wearing a kilt and posting in the forums too then there is no more hiding!! lol !!!

The picture you posted looks just fine !! Blue flys and all !!!