My Other 100th Kilt.

[Hamish]

At last, good folks of X Marks, I am able to bring you the first images of my other 100th kilt. As The Kilt Kollection neared the 100 mark, two of my favourite kiltmakers simultaneously offered, nay insisted, on making the special one for me. These offers were far too good to turn down (as if I could!) and so I decided to accept both on equal footing - not a 100A and a 100B, just two No.100s. Simple as that. These are very special and significant kilts to me and, to a great extent, to the kiltmaking world. I am honoured to own them and am very proud to wear them.

You have already seen the beautiful traditional creation from the expert hands of Barb Tewksbury and the tartan design skills of Rocky Roeger - together with the generosity of both - but, here now is my other 100th.

This is a contemporary kilt made in the traditional style by my good friend Howie Nicholsby of '21st Century Kilts' in Edinburgh [actually it was hand sewn by Donna, to my mind the Queen of Edinburgh's kiltmakers who works for both TFCK and Geoffrey (Tailor) Ltd.]. It was Howie who found the rare organic Ardalanish tweed from the Isle of Mull, designed the stunningly unique kilt pin based on the TFCK signature lightening-flash pin and suggested the embroidery which has been superbly done for him by a military broderer. And so to the images:



The pleat shot -



The close-up -



The ebony and horn kilt-pin -



The exquisite military-style gold thread embroidery set in the kick-pleat. "100" and my initials -



Howie, who personally delivered the kilt, removing the basting stitches -



Finally, the two of us in 'Kilt Vault No.2' here at Bicknell Grange - a rare photographic opportunity as I very seldom permit photographers within the Grange (other than my personal photographer, Tri Self-Timer, of course) -









My apologies for the delay in bringing you these images but just a few days after Howie brought me the kilt in August, I was admitted to hospital for surgery allowing insufficient time to do so before leaving Bicknell Grange.

Am I not just the luckiest of kilt wearers? I believe I am.

Take care,
Ham.