New Sgian Dubh, New Offices, New Argyle Jacket

[cessna152towser]

I bought this piece from the Royal Air Force Benevolent Society stall at a recent World War II re-enactment day at the former RAF East Fortune which is now home to the Scottish Museum of Flight. The badge is the RAFBS one, which is the Royal Air Force roundel with the red centre circle replaced by a heart and the RAFBS is a charity which helps ex-servicemen and their families. The piece is really a letter opener rather than a sgian-dubh and was supplied without a sheath so it is a wee bit on the long side to fit into the sheath of my other sgian-dubh. However I thought I would give it a trial outing today with my Royal Air Force tartan kilt to attend the official opening of the new Hawick area offices of Scottish Borders Housing Association.

The entrance to the new offices. Scottish Borders Housing Association is a registered charity which provides low cost social rented housing and I am a shareholder and member of their housing committee. The association owns this block known as West Port, in Hawick, and decided to convert the ground floor into its area offices to save on paying rent for other premises. The upper floors consist of bedsit accommodation with warden supervision for single elderly people.

The new public reception area and rent counter.

Left to right, SBHA Chairman Oliver Angus, a member of Hawick High School teaching staff, SBHA Chief Executive Janice Cambridge and Hon. Provost of Hawick Zandra Elliot.

After the official opening and lunch, I slipped off my black brogues and donned my boots to go across to Galashiels to take Ann out for the afternoon. Ann is currently resident in Waverley Nursing Home there and black brogues would not provide adequate grip for pushing her wheelchair up slopes. I took Ann out for an ice cream and a coffee and while sitting in the cafe she commented on how frayed my Argyle jacket had become and she offered to buy me a new one. Well there was a kilt shop just around the corner so I wheeled her round there and she treated me to this brand new Argyle Jacket in black barathea wool, which fitted me straight off the shelf, only the second one I tried on. Ann took this photo a few minutes after we had left the shop. You can just make out the RAFBS sgian-dubh in the picture also.

[GMan]

I like all of what is new!

[JolyStNicholas]

Ya look grand indeed in that kilt and tie.

[beloitpiper]

Looking great as usual, Alex!

[McMurdo]

Alex
Wonderful picture, I certainly hope that Ann is back home with you soon, the "sgian" and the Argyll look smashing, congratulations. Please also give Ann my best.

[Sir William]

Very smart! I should have a wife that buys me a new kilt jacket.

I like the RAFBS sgian-dubh - even it it is only a letter opener.

[ghostlight]

You look great, sir!

[7 miles]

Looks good on you my friend.

[Colonel MacNeal]

Hi Towser,

You're wearing the RAF tartan aren't you? It looks great!

Any problem if a USAF guy wears the RAF tartan?

Visited the RAF church of St Clement Dane a few years ago and signed the book.

Cheers, ColMac

[English Bloke]

You look great Alex. I'd love to see that kilt 1st hand as it were.

My Father was Royal Airforce (1938 to 1946) and though I'm Army through and through I've considered the RAF tartan as a tribute to the nicest bloke I ever met. I don't know if it would wash though after all the harsh things I said in banter with "Crabs" when I was in...

... You're wearing the RAF tartan aren't you? ... Any problem if a USAF guy wears the RAF tartan?

In regard to USAF wearing the RAF tartan, I think that would be most appropriate considering the number of American pilots who volunteered and flew with the RAF during Britain's darkest hour.

Lest we forget! ... which we don't.