2016 Burns' Supper and shared Tartan!

**Shedlock2000** · 7th February 16, 02:06 PM

I wear a district tartan, the Roxburgh Red Ancient, which is not terribly common (and which I have never seen worn anywhere). But at this years Burns' supper (where I was invited to give the Toast to the Immortal Memory), I bumped into another wearer -- also a Firth (though I remain unsure if I can properly call him a kinsman).

You can notice the difference in how the kilts were made. Both his and mine were pleated to the sett but the centre line was different for each of us. Mine was made 26 years ago by Geoffrey Tailors in Edinburgh, his was made by Burnett's and Struth. There is a slight difference in the colours as well -- mine looks darker, but on close inspection the orange on the aprons and the top pleats had bleached out a bit compared to the underneath colours!

I also chose to switch up the Jabot and lace for a regency tie worn with a winged collar (though the starch on one side failed as I became hot). I think it worked quite well -- though it was a bit scrunched when these photos were taken. I also included a photo of the 'best knees competition'!

I should also mention that my Sheriffmuir jacket came from Tartan4LESS. I have used them twice, up to press: once on a kilt suit (also shown below) and once for this jacket. While I can say that a couple of the buttons came off and required sewing back on, the rest of the jacket is of the highest quality (though, for some reason, seems to be made for a leftie). The material is excellent, the buttons are equally high quality and the jacket and vest are well made. The one downside of the jacket is that my paunch tends to pull the bottom of the vest up as a curve has a greater length than a straight line.... this means that occasionally the vest rises above the kilt top to show off shirt -- something I shall try to remedy somehow. Nevertheless, for $280, I am very pleased with it.

**thecompaqguy** · 7th February 16, 04:07 PM

OP, absolutely LOVING the kilt suit! The Roxburgh tartan looks great as well! Thanks for sharing

**Liam** · 7th February 16, 04:32 PM

Almost didn't recognize you with the beard.
Cheers...Bill

**freddie** · 9th February 16, 05:43 AM

That Sherifmuire looks fantastic! I've got to get one. I have a green tweed Argyll and vest from Tartans4less and the quality is fantastic.

**OC Richard** · 12th February 16, 03:09 AM

It's sort of like a woman showing up at an event only to discover that another woman is wearing the same dress she is!

Just joking, it's not like that at all of course.

Cool to see the different centering of the tartan on the front panel. In The Gordon Highlanders that's a rank distinction.

Here Roxburgh is commonly seen because a local pipe band wears it, Kevin Blandford Memorial Pipe Band.

However theirs is from House Of Edgar's Muted Range. I don't think I've seen Roxburgh in the colours you gents have.

Here's Kevin Blandord Memorial. The two pipers facing towards us are serving Police Officers.

The piper closest to the camera here is a man of extraordinary talents: piper, winning Highland Dancer, and great kiltmaker. We're all waiting to find out if there's something he isn't good at.

**Shedlock2000** · 28th February 16, 04:27 PM

Originally Posted by OC Richard

It's sort of like a woman showing up at an event only to discover that another woman is wearing the same dress she is!

Just joking, it's not like that at all of course.

Cool to see the different centering of the tartan on the front panel. In The Gordon Highlanders that's a rank distinction.

Here Roxburgh is commonly seen because a local pipe band wears it, Kevin Blandford Memorial Pipe Band.

However theirs is from House Of Edgar's Muted Range. I don't think I've seen Roxburgh in the colours you gents have.

Here's Kevin Blandord Memorial. The two pipers facing towards us are serving Police Officers.

The piper closest to the camera here is a man of extraordinary talents: piper, winning Highland Dancer, and great kiltmaker. We're all waiting to find out if there's something he isn't good at.

Super photos, Thank you!

Can you tell me more about this 'rank distinction' through the centring of the tartan? I am curious as to how that is facilitated, and which centring indicates which rank. Does this mean some promoted individual receives a new kilt? How long has this been the case for -- can we see it in the early WWI and WWII photos? Is it just the Gordon Highlanders for which this is the case?

**OC Richard** · 3rd March 16, 06:23 AM

Originally Posted by Shedlock2000

Can you tell me more about this 'rank distinction' through the centring of the tartan? Is it just the Gordon Highlanders for which this is the case?

People more knowledgeable than I would have to chime in on that. I've only noticed it with the Gordon Highlanders as you say, it being obvious due to the nature of that tartan. With Black Watch tartan it would be hard to spot.

**WillowEstate** · 6th March 16, 09:21 AM

Richard, the Military Mackenzie also has the same two variants, one centered on the red line and the other on the block
between two red lines but I believe the difference in that case is regiment, rather than rank. I have to confess that I can't
remember which regiment wears (or used to wear before amalgamation) which one. The pleats are normally to the white line.