Kilted Kentuckian

[Noel Christian Riddell]

It is a pleasure to discover this site and its diverse, knowledgable denizens!

My name is Noel Christian Riddell and I currently reside in the Bluegrass state of Kentucky. My family heritage is what drew me to the kilt. I am an American by birth and a proud son of Alba by blood.

We Riddells seem to have spent most of our time in the Borders, Lilliesleaf, Roxburghshire to be specific going back to the 700s. The last two years have been a period of great discovery for me. My brother Ian and I visited Scotland to find it felt, well, like home. Sitting in The Plough Inn with my back to a glowing potbelly stove with a glass of Highland Park in my hand as cold rain streamed down outside felt ...right.

I had my kilt made in Edinburgh and have worn it as often as is reasonable in these parts. Despite being one of the oldest Scottish family names (the oldest in Scottish chartularies, along with Corbett, according to some) we haven't a tartan of our own but rather the district tartan of Roxburghshire (Roxburgh Red). It looks completely ace and always draws attention when worn amid other tartans. Women especially seem to love it.

I am first and foremost a parent (single father!). Beyond that I am an ex-skilled trades auto worker and ex-industrial maintenance manager. My passions include music, American Indian culture and studies, Art Deco, the collection of NDN artifacts, geneaology, history, writing, cooking, liberty, and gardening.

Musically-speaking I perform as much as possible, playing guitar (lead/rhythm/electric/acoustic), singing, harmonica, Irish bouzouki, etc. Last year I was surprised to find my name mentioned in Guitar Player.

I'm presently finishing up what I hope to be my first published work, a children's book called The Wolf and the Wren.

Meanwhile, to earn a crust, I've been in the process of becoming a licensed insurance agent (Health & Life). I'm 95% through with everything -and I'm looking forward to a new line of work.

Again, it's great to be here. I'm anxious to get to know many of you and hope to have a few Kentucky / Ohio Valley Kilt confluences.

Best regards,

Noel