for Jock

**Nathan** · 25th January 14, 05:37 AM

Originally Posted by Jock Scot

Well at least the "pint of bleach in the lap " look has gone!

Yes Richard, you are coming along nicely.

What? No comment about how it would be nearly perfect if only he'd just get rid of those, "dreadful ghillie things", Jock?

Richard,

It's too bad that this may not happen again! I think it looks great! I understand getting attached to a goat skin sporran, but why the love affair with the blue shirt?

I really like that waistcoat! Well done! Well done, intweed.

**OC Richard** · 25th January 14, 06:25 AM

Thanks for the kudos!

Yes Jock it takes a while for the lessons to take hold... and even then the hold is tenuous!

Yesterday I wore the same outfit to the NAMM Show (National Association of Music Merchants) with a certain little change...

Two Scottish gents, Glaswegians, manning a booth where they were marketing a type of earplug designed for musicians. Both kilted, and a bottle of fine single malt on their table! I had to get a pic of The Kilties.

Yes and I have the dreaded pint of bleach!

Thing is, that goat-sporran holds SO much more than any other sporran I have, and I needed all the storage room I could get.

About my propensity for blue shirts, yes indeed I love the splash of colour it gives to my outfit, especially with a red necktie.

About about the Ghillies, yes, I was going to wear brown wingtips but they weren't as comfortable as those Ghillies.

**Nathan** · 25th January 14, 07:00 AM

Originally Posted by OC Richard

About about the Ghillies, yes, I was going to wear brown wingtips but they weren't as comfortable as those Ghillies.

Looking good Richard. Please understand that I have no issue with ghillie brogues, I own two pairs. I was just needling Jock about his previous statements on the matter...

**OC Richard** · 25th January 14, 07:42 AM

Originally Posted by Nathan

Looking good Richard. Please understand that I have no issue with ghillie brogues, I own two pairs. I was just needling Jock about his previous statements on the matter...

It's odd, about Ghillies. They occupy a strange place in traditional Highland Dress.

Army usage is on all fours with the traditional civilian usage which shows up in early 20th century Highland Dress catalogues: buckled shoes for formal Evening attire (Mess Dress and Levee Dress in the Army) and plain ordinary brogues for Day attire (working dress and the less formal No2 Dress in the Army). The Army has no mode of dress which uses ghillies.

Ironically Ghillies show up only as Evening shoes, with buckles attached, in early Highland Dress catalogues.

In the 19th century it's clear that ghillies were thought of as being rustic footwear, usually being made of roughout tan leather. It's pipers who always seem to have favoured them.

**OC Richard** · 25th January 14, 07:45 AM

Originally Posted by David Thorpe

Nicely done, Richard.
Are you planning on making Bridgeport again this year?

Thanks!

I'm seriously thinking about doing something different this year, attending the Celtic Fest in Bethlehem PA in late September.

**Nathan** · 25th January 14, 07:52 AM

Originally Posted by OC Richard

Ironically Ghillies show up only as Evening shoes, with buckles attached, in early Highland Dress catalogues.

I have buckles and short laces on one of my pairs of ghillie brogues. I still think the black ones are best suited to less formal black tie but they are just an alternative offering of black brogues after all. I wear them less frequently now because although they have thin souls, the metal heel piece in them bothers me. I don't like to click clack down the hallway. I'll have those removed at a cobbler's shop when I get around to it.

Alas, the great ghillie brogue debate has happened here many times, I shouldn't throw fuel on the fire.

**English Bloke** · 28th January 14, 09:29 AM

Scotsmen? In a T-shirt and dress sporran combo? Well I never! Obviously lowlanders.

I like your goat too...

**TheOfficialBren** · 28th January 14, 09:34 AM

I didn't attend NAMM this year but in the past there has always been a contingent of kilties from various outfits.

Very nice, Richard.

**creagdhubh** · 28th January 14, 11:00 AM

Well done, Richard! Very smart.

**Jack Daw** · 29th January 14, 12:58 PM

[Originally posted by OC Richard:
Thanks! I'm seriously thinking about doing something different this year, attending the Celtic Fest in Bethlehem PA in late September.]

Well, OCR, I can tell you not to expect anything much in the way of a clan gathering. I was there at the Celtic Classic in Bethlehem last September 2013 in conjunction with my genealogical review in Doylestown. There were all of five such tents, huddled up near the athletics, which were excellently exhibited. The "scotch-tasting" advertised was Irish whisky, and I don't recall a pipe band. But, I still very much enjoyed the Celtic Classic (think 'Irish')