Who is Hamish?

[Hamish]

Eeeeeek! Steve, what a eulogy! I'm not dead yet, my friend ........... but, I will let you know when I am! ;-)

To answer your original question, Jeremy, I am just a chap who likes to wear the kilt in virtually all its forms: formally traditional, outwardly contemporary and every stage in between. From 1951 to 1999 I looked upon it as nothing more than a 'costume' to wear whilst enjoying my Scottish Country Dance and Highland Dance pursuits. Then, having retired, I began to wear it at other times and very soon came to appreciate the comfort, freedom and yes, admiring glances it generated. Wearing my one and only kilt with greater frequency was not entirely practical or adviseable and I soon had three or four to my name. The new and exciting less formal TFCKs came to my attention, as did the utterly casual American Utilikilts, and I was hooked! The Kollection was never planned; I simply never disposed of any older kilts as new ones were acquired. More kilts meant more accessories - shirts, jackets. hose, flashes, neck-ties, shoes/boots, sporrans and belts were required if smart turn-outs were to be maintained, and I am a firm believer in looking my best when out and about! This is particularly important when one dresses in a manner considered to be outside the box - look smart and you and your kilt will be treated with respect and often complimented; look untidy or a mess and you are both likely to attract disrespect or even abuse.

And there you have it. Over the past eleven years my passion for The Kilt has steadily increased, although the rate of acquisition has slowed somewhat in the past year or so for a number of reasons. Now, both of the two 'Kilt No.100' are about to arrive - yes, some of my kilted brethren may have forgotten that, originally, two of my most respected kiltmakers practically begged to make this significant garment. It was unfair and indeed impossible for me to choose one over the other, and so I announced that there would be two kilts in the 100th place - the traditional from Barb Tewksbury in a unique tartan designed by Rocky at USA Kilts, and the contemporary from Howie Nicholsby at TFCK in a gorgeous Ardalanish organic tweed from the Isle of Mull. Both have been completed and I hope to have them photographed and documented before I am whisked away for some necessary surgery in a few weeks' time.

Take care,
Ham.