Keepers of the Kingdom

[wyldathart]

I'm interested in Sir Fitzroy Maclean, What type of coat or jacket is he wearing? I've never seen one without a collar or lapels !

[JSFMACLJR]

I'm interested in Sir Fitzroy Maclean, What type of coat or jacket is he wearing? I've never seen one without a collar or lapels !

It is a rather interesting coat. Having met Sir Fitzroy, I can say that he certainly had a distinctive flair in his dress. This coat is just what it appears to be: a long tunic, with no collar. I am rather wowed by his display of the badge of a Knight of the Thistle (which of course he was) in a manner not usually seen.

The style of jacket with no collar and buttons up the front has its place in Highland dress, actually. For some time now I have been considering having Redshank in Inveraray make up a jacket like this, an exclusive design of theirs. Hopefully our own dear Redshank ( he of the wonderful photographs! ) might be able to shed some light on the jackets his company makes.

A number of years ago there was an excellent photo of the late Earl of Perth attending a family wedding. Lord Perth was wearing a yellow turtleneck sweater and a brown jacket like the one I want, sort of like an Austrian trachten jacket, worn with the kilt. While he had age on his side, he certainly was one of the best dressed gentlemen at the wedding!

[Chas]

The key round Sir Fitzroy's neck is in fact a badge of office. It denotes that he is the 15th Hereditary Keeper and Captain of Dunconnel Castle (part of the Royal Household in Scotland). He was appointed in 1981. On his death in 1996, it passed to his son, Sir Charles Edward Maclean of Dunconnel Bt, 2nd Baronet of Strachur and Glensluain, Baron Strachur who became the 16th Hereditary Keeper and Captain of Dunconnel in the Isles of The Sea.

Regards

Chas