2011-12 Photos of the Argyllshire Gathering and Oban Games

[creagdhubh]

I love threads like this. So much to look at! So many observations to befuddle the mind!

This one really caught my eye. As I recall, this is the Duchess of Argyll, in her signature boots, tartan skirt, and jacket (I remembered seeing photos of her wearing it at the Aboyne Highland Games in another thread).

But I was also checking out the fringe on his day plaid. Wow, that's a long fringe! I think it looks great. In gearing up to do the fringe on my own day plaid, I was wondering just how long is normally seen, and this one surprised me.

The lady pictured is actually Lise MacDougall, whom is often the Games Steward there at Oban. The man pictured is her husband, Charlie MacDougall. His plaid is very smart indeed. I think one has a bit of latitude when it comes to the finer details such as fringe-length on a day/blanket plaid. Mine all have 5-6" of hand-purled fringing on each end. MacDougall's appears longer, yet it may also just be the other end of his plaid that is underneath the top portion. The part underneath may be hanging a wee bit lower, thus causing the fringing to look almost twice as long as what is usually seen (think the purled fringe-length on a piper's plaid, which is the length most commonly seen). Of course, I could be wrong, but in any rate, he is well turned out nonetheless. If you like longer fringing, then I say go for it! After all, it's your plaid and no one will say otherwise!

Slainte mhath,