The local Irish Festival

[unixken]

My town's local Irish Festival is going on this weekend, and the weather here has been perfect. Had a lot of fun, ate some good food, drank some good beer, and had a lot of requests for photos with people. Used the opportunity to sport my new XMTS Cap Badge, Dandelion, and Sgian Dubh. Got some compliments on the Sgian Dubh, and told a few folks about XMTS.

Ran into a good friend there, and she introduced me to the members of The New Barleycorn.

Against my better judgement, Jane talked me into entering the Kilt Contest, and I somehow managed to place first (hence the ribbon around my neck in the last photo.) Since joining this forum, reading the posts and learning from the photos, let me tell you... it's so easy to spot the trash stuff that's out there. I think I did ok, selecting what I wore, but there really was "no contest".

[Mickey]

Very nice and congrats on the ribbon. Looks like a beautiful day too

[David Thorpe]

Nice photos, and congrats on the award. I really like the Scottish National. What's with the green bar towel stuck in your waistband?
Not a criticism, but I'm wondering why you wear the belt so low, and under the sporran strap?

[unixken]

Good observations. The green bar towel was for the 90 degree temps, to wipe the sweat from my brow in those times when the breeze died down. The belt riding low, had a tendency to shift around climbing stairs, sitting and standing up at the various concert seats, and whatnot. Guess I could have "adjusted" before the photos. Toward the evening I tightened it up a bit and it stayed put from then on. The sporran chain over the belt was when I'd taken the chain off to adjust (it was biting me in the back for some reason.) When my neighbor rushed me for the first pic, I hurriedly put it back on over the belt, but forgot about it the rest of the day.

[SlackerDrummer]

What's with the green bar towel stuck in your waistband?

Ha! In the pipe band scene the bar towel is standard kit and seeing these photos just reminded me that I've never seen any on this site. There is no better option for wiping sweat off your hands on a hot day! I have a whole collection, mostly of Scottish brews and, of course, Mansfield Ale.

[unixken]

Ha! In the pipe band scene the bar towel is standard kit...

Two other pieces of "piper's kit" on my belt include the pouch on my left hip (intended for pipers to carry spare reeds... I carry my digital camera in it, as it takes up too much room in the sporran), and the water bottle "holster" on the other hip. Both items are available from USA Kilts.

[Chas]

Nice set of pics - you're a good advert for XMarks.

the belt ... and under the sporran strap?

That's how I wear mine. Kilt on, then belt, then sporran and strap. That way I can adjust sporran height or move it left or right, depending on what I am doing.

Regards

Chas

[unixken]

That's how I wear mine. Kilt on, then belt, then sporran and strap. That way I can adjust sporran height or move it left or right, depending on what I am doing.Chas

I found it comfortable, since the belt is not grinding the chain/strap buckles into the hips or back. In the case of a chain, it also strikes me that the wide belt under the chain, would act as chafing gear, to prevent the chain from rubbing/chaffing/snagging against the fabric of the kilt.