Harpenden Games 2011

**cessna152towser** · 11th July 11, 07:54 AM

I stayed overnight at the Silver Cup in Harpenden where I was joined at breakfast time by Donald and Catherine of Bedford Pipe Band.

Arriving at the xmarks tent I met Lynn (MacArthurPiper) with her niece and her mum.

Chas explains to the lassies the difference between swatches of MacNaughton and Weathered MacNaughton tartans.

The xmarks rabble begins to assemble as Martin joins us.

Next to arrive was Brian (ChapmanRedbourn)

Followed by Dougle

Troy introduced himself to us. He is one of our USA members, currently working as a civilian with the United States Armed Forces at Lakenheath in England. I think his username on here is dpseadvr.

Chas made our American member and his wife welcome in the xmarks tent.

Martin, Gaelicman60, Chas, PaulHenry, ChapmanRedbourn

KiltedScholar and Gaelicman60
More to follow shortly

**Chas** · 11th July 11, 07:56 AM

The Harpenden Highland Gathering rolled around again this last Sunday. We were booked in as X Marks The Scot - A Community of Kiltwearers - Information on kiltwearing.

I arrived, just after 08:00 and set up. So much easier with my new 'pop-up' marquee. Add in the two flag poles flying Saltires and we could be seen from anywhere on the field.

By 10:00, we were all set to go.

Before long, we had 12 XMarkers there (Maybe + 2) -

Troy
Gaelicman60
Kilted Scholar
Dougle (plus Mrs Dougle and Doggie Dougle)
Martin
Paul Henry (plus a kilted friend, who's name escapes me)
chapmanredbourn
Lynn - (what is your forum name?)
Schiellion + 1 (Who I didn't get to meet - so don't know name)
Alex
Me
The other 2 - one was a kilted gentleman and one was in trousers - both said they were XMarkers and they must have told me their names but I never wrote it down. I can only hope that they are lurkers and will post here.

A picture of some of us looking very solemn, I don't know why!

Early in the day - hardly anyone arround.

Alex, Lynn (in middle) plus A.N. Other, the two girls were not with their own band, but turned up on the off chance of getting to play with another band.

Another, before the crowds picture:

More to follow.

Regards

Chas

**cessna152towser** · 11th July 11, 07:58 AM

KiltedScholar and Martin

Kiltmaker at work as PaulHenry measures Chas for a new kilt.

Feeding time for Chas, PaulHenry, Gaelicman60 and Martin

Schiehallion and Kyleroy
Kyleroy's kilt is in the Black Country tartan. This tartan was designed by Xmarks member Philip S. Tibbetts. Schiehallion's and Kyleroy's kilts were both made by PaulHenry.

Another example of the proof that kilts are chick magnets. Last year on my way to the games, Angie had latched on to me because she had spotted my kilt, and she had arrived at the games with me. This year she sought out the xmarks tent and here she gets acquainted with KiltedScholar and Chas.
More to follow shortly

**cessna152towser** · 11th July 11, 08:01 AM

The cromag maker

See you Jimmy

Shepherds tartan

Dress Gordon tartan

Highland Dancer

Scottish Country Dancer (note pink hose)

Weight for distance

British Airways Pipe Band

Harpenden Pipe Band
More to follow shortly.

**cessna152towser** · 11th July 11, 08:07 AM

Milton Keynes Pipe Band

University of Bedfordshire Pipe Band

Bedford Pipe Band

Black Watch re-enactors

All too soon it was time for the massed bands to march on for the massed bands finale.

Massed bands.

Time to pack up and head for the airport .
That's all from me folks, hopefully the others will add some more!

**R.S.L. Kiltwearer** · 11th July 11, 08:14 AM

great pic's, looks like it was a grand time!

**Laird_M** · 11th July 11, 08:25 AM

Makes me even more determined to make it next year!!!

Looks like a great time was had.

**Scottish Terrier** · 12th July 11, 10:39 AM

Thank you for sharing the great pictures with us! I haven't been to many games the past two years and these photos have helped me keep up with the goings-on.
Slainte, Bill

**Chas** · 11th July 11, 08:35 AM

Thanks for merging the two threads, Alex. A few more pics.

A kilted Somebody -

Another kilted Somebody -

A very strange kilted Somebody. Not sure whether that is his own hair, or part of the 'see you Jimmie' hat. It was not so much as what he was wearing but his whole body language, it was all 'I dare you to say something'. Of course, nobody did -

Again, it was a really worthwhile day -
A constant stream of people wanting to know about kilts and all things kilt,
Gave out dozens of cards (new members, maybe - lurkers, certainly),
A BIG THANKS to Paul for the loan of his fabric books for the day (they were a really big hit),
Thanks again to Grae in Australia for the swatches (another big hit),
Thanks to all the XMarkers for coming and having a meet up,
Thanks to Alex, for making the effort and coming down from Scotland.

I know other XMarkers were also taking pictures, so hopefully they will appear here as well.

Regards

Chas

**English Bloke** · 11th July 11, 09:46 AM

I know you will have made a spectacular effort as usual Chas so I apologise for not being able to make it down. Tried to get it sorted but life got in the way as it is want to do. Looks like another cracker of a doo though. Still have fond memories of last year. Maybe next year when my life is a bit less hectic.

EDIT: Is that the Black Country kilt you were mentioning last year Paul? Nice!