My Aberdeen Casual and a day of Herding Dog Trials

[unixken]

I spent the day attending Herding Dog Trials at a friend's sheep farm, and saw it as the perfect opportunity to break in my new 5-Yard Casual Kilt, in Aberdeen District (discussed in another thread). In addition, some other new items in my kit were given a shake-down... a new sporran strap, a fawn Balmoral, and a custom-made sheath for my custom sgian dubh (which itself is shown here.) Since without pics it never happened, here are the pics.

First, the sheep...



Then the herding...



Then me in my new Aberdeen...

[opositive]

wonderful colors.

how did you do in the competition? (my german "shepherds" would have simply chased the beasties around until they collapsed from exhaustion)

now for my stupid question (yes, i acknowledge that there are stupid questions): since you are actually using a cromach as intended (not just as an accessory)... why is there a curvy bit as opposed to simply having a long stick?

[unixken]

wonderful colors.

how did you do in the competition? (my german "shepherds" would have simply chased the beasties around until they collapsed from exhaustion)

now for my stupid question (yes, i acknowledge that there are stupid questions): since you are actually using a cromach as intended (not just as an accessory)... why is there a curvy bit as opposed to simply having a long stick?

Glad you like the colors... it *is* a fairly loud tartan.

Myself, I didn't have a dog in the event. My friend Laura owns the farm that hosted the event (actually, she leases it from the Cuyahoga Valley National Park.) I was there just to spectate and lend a hand, if needed, though herding dogs fascinate me - I used to have a Shetland Sheepdog years ago that I loved.

The cromach I was carrying is just a walking stick. Though styled after a shepherd's crook, I doubt the joint on my stick, between the crook and the shaft, would be strong enough to act as an actual hook for catching a sheep by the leg per se (which is the original purpose of the crook design.) It's an actual ram's horn, joined to a shaft of hickory. Some of these sheep are a hundred pounds or more, and can be quite stout. The small out-turned tip at the end of the crook would likely be ornamental, yet if it were to have originally performed any purpose it would likely have been to merely soften the entry of the leg into the crook (less chance of snagging the animal.) But that's just a guess.

Overall, it was a really good day.

[Alan H]

You can't hide in that tartan!

Nice!

[CMcG]

That's a nice casual look. It's a pity, though, that you're turned so we can't see how your new sgian looks peeking out from your hose...

[unixken]

That's a nice casual look. It's a pity, though, that you're turned so we can't see how your new sgian looks peeking out from your hose...

I noticed that myself, after the fact. But there will be other times.
I was comfortable with the overall look, for the occasion. I didn't even bother with a belt, or kilt pin. The tartan was attention-getting enough, without adding any "bling".

My faux paus for the day... Although I was wearing the Aberdeen District tartan, my cap had the crest badge (and colors in the rosette) of the Buchanan clan. My generic thistle badge was on my glengarry, my X-Marks badge is on my black balmoral, and I just never looked before grabbing the fawn cap.

Ordinarily, I guess the mixing of clans and tartans would be a no no, but again, this was something not noticed until after the fact. With Aberdeen being a district, and not a clan tartan, I'll give myself a pass this time. LOL