A Multitude of Photographical Examples of How I approach Traditional Highland Dress

[thescot]

. . .Our chief, Sir William Macpherson of Cluny; note his three eagle feathers denoting his rank as a Highland Chief, recognized by the Lord Lyon. He also wears a jacket of the "Macpherson" tweed (contains the same colorings as in the Macpherson hunting tartan, bespoke tweed made by a wee company in Edinburgh named, Hugh Macpherson's on West Maintland street. Cluny also wears a sporran made of a Scottish Wildcat-the totem of the Clan Macpherson. He also has his interesting cromach at hand.


. . .

Is it just the angle, or does the chief not have his ribbons flying free and untied? It doesn't appear that his ribbons are loose in this photo.

[creagdhubh]

Is it just the angle, or does the chief not have his ribbons flying free and untied? It doesn't appear that he does not have ribbons loose in this photo.

On this particular bonnet of his, he has simply cut them off. I have seen him wear other Balmoral's with the ribbons trailing behind. Note: not all Macpherson men leave their ribbons loose, as tradition says, some-just a few, tie them in a bow. I will tie my ribbons in a bow whilst wearing a fawn, lovat blue, or lovat green Balmoral. My darker bonnets are all untied. I don't think Cluny would object with the tieing of my lighter colored bonnets!

[NewEnglander]

On this particular bonnet of his, he has simply cut them off. I have seen him wear other Balmoral's with the ribbons trailing behind. Note: not all Macpherson men leave their ribbons loose, as tradition says, some-just a few, tie them in a bow. I will tie my ribbons in a bow whilst wearing a fawn, lovat blue, or lovat green Balmoral. My darker bonnets are all untied. I don't think Cluny would object with the tieing of my lighter colored bonnets!

That's a clan tradition I've never heard of. I only have one bonnet and I had it made with no ribbons at all so I guess I'm doing alright!

[creagdhubh]

That's a clan tradition I've never heard of. I only have one bonnet and I had it made with no ribbons at all so I guess I'm doing alright!

I'll find the past issue of our clan's annual publication, "Creag Dhubh," where it discusses this tradition, and shall send it to you.

Aye,

[JSFMACLJR]

I don't think Cluny would object with the tieing of my lighter colored bonnets!

What objections does Cluny have to bows on bonnets? What is the basis for this Macpherson tradition?

Cheers!

[creagdhubh]

What objections does Cluny have to bows on bonnets? What is the basis for this Macpherson tradition?

Cheers!

It goes back to what else, but a clan feud in the 14th-century (specifically concerning the Battle of Invernahavon in Badenoch, circa 1370) between the Mackintoshes, the Davidsons, the Macphersons, and the Camerons. As I told NewEnglander, I will find the story in a past issue of "Creag Dhubh", our clan's annual publication from Scotland, and shall post it on this thread. I think it's in the 1954 issue, if my memory serves me correctly. I own every physical issue since the first one in 1946. You may also view them at the "sonasmor" link below.

Slainte,

[creagdhubh]

Here are the final photographs. Thank you all for viewing! Slainte mhath!


Me at my parent's house wearing the Macpherson hunting ancient kilt, charcoal grey hose, black Mackie Balmoral with red toorie, L&M, 3 tassel leather sporran with silver studs on the flap portion, and a plain white shirt and black wool tie. Simple, yet quite smart in my opinion. Photo taken in 2007.


Me dancing the fling at a Burns' Night celebration-note the choice of pleating on my kilt, to the stripe.


Front view of me dancing. I was tired at this point-my head should be looking to my left!!! I know better!!! I tightened my sporran strap prior to dancing-sometimes I'll push to the left side of my hip, or remove it completely.


Another view of my attire with a portion of my heid cut off! LOL.


My lovely wife and I, the night I proposed to her.


A variety of cromach's and walking sticks at my great-uncle's (Lloyd Macpherson) home in Blackford, Scotland (Edinburgh).


Macpherson cousin, Bill Lee-Smith and I at a Clan Macpherson Association annual general meeting in California.

[thescot]

The only advice i could possibly offer--and you didn't ask for any, but, well, you know me :--is to find a burn for that bonnet and "jock" it real well.

Anyone emmulating your dress would look fine in anyone's book.

[creagdhubh]

The only advice i could possibly offer--and you didn't ask for any, but, well, you know me :P--is to find a burn for that bonnet and "jock" real well.

Anyone emmulating your dress would look fine in anyone's book.

Yes, you are quite correct with regards to my bonnets. I need to follow Jock's advice and get them broken in! Thank you!

[BoldHighlander]

My lovely wife and I the night I proposed to her.

Lovely indeed! Your a lucky man, Kyle (& I'm sure you don't need me telling you that )