Isle of Man teaser

**starbkjrus** · 26th February 08, 12:32 PM

Originally Posted by cajunscot

The question will hopefully be answered soon, Matt.

T.

And global commerce slowly grinds to a halt as Todd directs all reference resources (including those of NUMA) as well as the entire internet into answering this question for us.

Good for you.

**Raphael** · 26th February 08, 01:11 PM

That is a lovely tartan and I would love to have one in my collection.

I just emailed the Hong Kong Police department and hopefully they will have some answers.

**macwilkin** · 26th February 08, 01:22 PM

Originally Posted by Raphael

That is a lovely tartan and I would love to have one in my collection.

I just emailed the Hong Kong Police department and hopefully they will have some answers.

They're going to wonder what the sudden surge in interest in the HKPD Pipes & Drums is, because I did that very thing last night!

T.

**Raphael** · 26th February 08, 02:06 PM

I am not sure how helpful that the Hong Kong Police would be. We are, after all, digging up the history of the colonial government and that they may not have lots of paper record for the band. I still have lots of interest in the tartan, as that was the pipe band that got me interested in kilt wearing a long time ago. Aside from the Maple Leaf and British Columbia Tartan, I feel that I have some connections to it.

Although I have a theory on how the tartan was picked for the band. The pipe band could have been started by a piper from Isle of Man. It is only my theory. Who knows. Or the Tartan was picked because there was an abundant of the Isle of Man tartan in the warehouse.

Until I get the bottom of it, I can only speculate.

**macwilkin** · 26th February 08, 02:15 PM

Originally Posted by Raphael

I am not sure how helpful that the Hong Kong Police would be. We are, after all, digging up the history of the colonial government and that they may not have lots of paper record for the band. I still have lots of interest in the tartan, as that was the pipe band that got me interested in kilt wearing a long time ago. Aside from the Maple Leaf and British Columbia Tartan, I feel that I have some connections to it.

Although I have a theory on how the tartan was picked for the band. The pipe band could have been started by a piper from Isle of Man. It is only my theory. Who knows. Or the Tartan was picked because there was an abundant of the Isle of Man tartan in the warehouse.

Until I get the bottom of it, I can only speculate.

Raph: I think your theories are fairly spot on; no doubt there is some connection during the colonial era. I received an e-mail this morning from a PR staff sgt. informing me that my query had been passed to the band. There may be some information in the HKPF museum.

There are also two other pipe bands in HK, and a St. Andrew's Society. One of our local society members was a member of the HK society when he was stationed in HK as a "redcap" (military police).

It will be interesting to see what we turn up.

T.

**James MacMillan** · 26th February 08, 04:15 PM

This is getting interesting!

Wouldn't it be a shame to discover that they were just using some old bolts of tartan that someone found, lost in a warehouse.

**cessna152towser** · 26th February 08, 04:25 PM

That looks a very nice tartan indeed. Ann and I spent our honeymoon in Isle of Man.

**Hamish** · 26th February 08, 06:14 PM

Originally Posted by Redshank

not wishing to put out the flames of desire, but I preffer the manx hunting
http://www.manninkilt.co.uk/ManxHuntingtartan.html

Chris

Oh boy! Oh boy! Now you have really done it, Chris! The Manx Hunting is absolutely gorgeous - the National is very nice too, but the Hunting is outstanding. For some time, I have been wondering about the Manx National since my Kollection is sadly lacking anything representing that particular link in the celtic nations chain. I have to say that I was unaware, until now, of the Hunting version, and that went on my wants list before I began typing this! Thank you for the introduction.

Take care,
Ham.

**macwilkin** · 26th February 08, 08:29 PM

I just received a response to my query. Evidently the HK Police Pipe Band wears the Mackintosh tartan, in honour of a former HK Police Comissioner. The band was granted permission by the Chief to wear the tartan, as is the case with many bands -- for example, the Buchan Pipe Band has a strong relationship with our Chief, Sir William Gordon Cumming. This is the "red tartan" that Terry mentioned in his earlier post. I was incorrect in stating that it was the "new tartan" of the band.

The Isle of Mann tartan is worn by the HK Police Auxillary. Still no reason as to why it was adopted, but I would bet that Raph's hunch is correct, and it was adopted for a similar reason as the regular band's tartan.

So, at least we have more to the story...

Regards,

Todd