Highlanders Discuss Highland Attire

[creagdhubh]

We had those in our vehicles in the Park Service for our "Smokey Bear" hats.

T.

I wear that style of hat everday at work as a Missouri State Trooper!

[JSFMACLJR]

It wasn't that long ago someone posted this link Stickmaking Shop which I bookmarked

Thanks, Terry. John Marsh made my cromach a few years back. I can highly recommend him.

[creagdhubh]

Right on topic, I think, Frank. We are discussing how Highlanders Wear Highland Dress in this thread, and perhaps this is just another example of cultural diversity. In Scotland we would never wear the tie of a regiment to which we do not belong and that is perhaps a bit similar to not wearing the tartan of a clan to which we are not connected. Perhaps neither is true in the US, but would you not agree that the former is true in Canada and not the latter?

It is true here in the States, though it may be few and far between. I certainly honor and respect customs of any nature. Many of you have jumped to conclusions with regards to me wearing certain Scottish Regimental neckties. Perhaps I should attempt to locate the Commanding General (officer) of each regimental necktie that I wear on occasion and personally ask permission to wear their colors? After all, I did serve and get to know many of the men of those regiments whilst deployed in Iraq. I am still in contact, via facebook and e-mail, with several of them to this day. I'm sure they could locate an e-mail address of their former CG or CO for me...if of course the CG or CO is still on active service and not retired (sarcasm is thick in this post I know-honestly, I am being quite tactful and mean no disrespect to anyone-let's move on mates!)!

Slainte mate!

[ThistleDown]

I really didn't want to be the one to again bring this up, but the OP specified that this thread would be "Highlanders" discussing how Highland dress is worn in Scotland, and in particular in the Highlands. It was not to be how others in the world thought we were wrong in how we dressed, or how right they were in how they dress despite the fact that we dress differently.

The interest in Highland dress is universal and many folk in countries other than Scotland have it right to the nth degree. Some in Scotland make errors. Both those are givens. It is also a given that the vast majority in Scotland dress as we are describing. All we are doing here is explaining how it is. Not telling you how to dress in your own country, only how we dress in ours if you wish to be seen to be correctly dressed.

[ThistleDown]

It is true here in the States, though it may be few and far between. I certainly honor and respect customs of any nature. Many of you have jumped to conclusions with regards to me wearing certain Scottish Regimental neckties. Perhaps I should attempt to locate the Commanding General (officer) of each regimental necktie that I wear on occasion and personally ask permission to wear their colors? After all, I did serve and get to know many of the men of those regiments whilst deployed in Iraq. I am still in contact, via facebook and e-mail, with several of them to this day. I'm sure they could locate an e-mail address of their former CG or CO for me...if of course the CG or CO is still on active service and not retired!

Slainte mate!

No Kyle, we are not jumping to conclusions and we are not questioning your good motives. What we are saying is that, despite the examples you have given, it is not the custom in Scotland to wear neckties, medals or any other accoutrements of regiments in which we have not served. In Scotland, because that is what this thread is about.

[EagleJCS]

Many thanks, Jock! That's a fine looking cromach with a long line of service. About mid-chest it is, then. A brass or copper ferrule at the bottom makes sense to prevent mushrooming of the wood.

Do you happen to know what kind of wood yours is made from? And do you know what kind of horn that topper is made from? That's a nice thistle detail.

[creagdhubh]

I really didn't want to be the one to again bring this up, but the OP specified that this thread would be "Highlanders" discussing how Highland dress is worn in Scotland, and in particular in the Highlands. It was not to be how others in the world thought we were wrong in how we dressed, or how right they were in how they dress despite the fact that we dress differently.

The interest in Highland dress is universal and many folk in countries other than Scotland have it right to the nth degree. Some in Scotland make errors. Both those are givens. It is also a given that the vast majority in Scotland dress as we are describing. All we are doing here is explaining how it is. Not telling you how to dress in your own country, only how we dress in ours if you wish to be seen to be correctly dressed.

I understand what the OP specifies, but I had to defend and justify my reasoning for wearing my chosen Regimental neckties. I am a good and honest man; respectful of tradition, sensitive to cutlural differences, and honorable-quite a dying breed for men of my age (was born in 1981) in my opinion. I certainly do not wish to ruffle anyone's feathers. Let's move on Thistledown.

[davidlpope]

Many thanks, Jock! That's a fine looking cromach with a long line of service. About mid-chest it is, then. A brass or copper ferrule at the bottom makes sense to prevent mushrooming of the wood.

Do you happen to know what kind of wood yours is made from? And do you know what kind of horn that topper is made from? That's a nice thistle detail.

Not sure about Jock's, but the shaft on mine is made from hazel with ram's horn for the crook. I got mine from Wren Country Sticks and am very pleased with it.

http://www.wrencountrysticks.co.uk/about.asp

[Jock Scot]

It is true here in the States, though it may be few and far between. I certainly honor and respect customs of any nature. Many of you have jumped to conclusions with regards to me wearing certain Scottish Regimental neckties. Perhaps I should attempt to locate the Commanding General (officer) of each regimental necktie that I wear on occasion and personally ask permission to wear their colors? After all, I did serve and get to know many of the men of those regiments whilst deployed in Iraq. I am still in contact, via facebook and e-mail, with several of them to this day. I'm sure they could locate an e-mail address of their former CG or CO for me...if of course the CG or CO is still on active service and not retired (sarcasm is thick in this post I know-honestly, I am being quite tactful and mean no disrespect to anyone-let's move on mates!)!

Slainte mate!

With the greatest of respect we are talking about Scottish Highlanders talking about how WE wear our attire. NOT what an American thinks he ought to wear. This Highland Scot thinks that wearing a tie that you are not entitled to, is just wrong and is downright disrespectful no matter how hard anyone argues to the contrary. Sorry old chap, in my view, what you are doing is just not right.Wear your US Marine colours with the kilt and I will stand four square with you.

[creagdhubh]

Wonderful site David, thanks for sharing! I purchased my cromach from a gent located in Tarbert, Isle of Jura, Scotland. He did have a website up (called quite appropriately, Scottish Walking Sticks, but to no avail, I have been unable to locate it again; perhaps he closed up shop for worldwide delivery? Don't know. Anyhow, mine is indeed at nipple height and the shaft is made of a medium color hazel, and the handle is made of yew, and has a curved nose with a carved thistle. The bottom of the shaft has a brass ferrule with a wee "nobbie" in the center of it. I am quite fond of it, and would love to have one made of buffalo and ram horn.

Not the best photo of my cromach, but you can see the coloring and the "head" of the carved thistle. It was indeed a custom job.