Harpenden Highland Gathering

**Paul** · 16th July 09, 02:03 PM

Originally Posted by Chas

He was so proud of his father's potatoes - and I was struggling not to laugh. He wanted to send me an email with pictures of the potatoes, but - when you've seen one potato; you've seen them all.

I come from a long line of Irish farmers... I think I am genetically supposed to be impressed by potatoes therefore I probably would have atleast symphathized! haha

**McClef** · 16th July 09, 02:12 PM

Sad news about the BA pipe band - remember them from last year and what a gorgeous tartan they had!

**ghostlight** · 16th July 09, 07:44 PM

A fantastic array of photos. Thank you very much for sharing them with us.

**Wolfhawk** · 16th July 09, 10:34 PM

Looks like all the fun to be had was right there at your event.

**Arizona Scot** · 17th July 09, 12:23 AM

Great photos thanks for sharing, really enjoyed the commentary also.

**caig** · 17th July 09, 02:27 AM

Well done Chas for letting us all attend the games from our armchairs. Great photos. I have been threatening for some years to get to Harpenden but maybe next year !

Good to see you with Balmoral and cromach.

**Tartan Shortbread Jock** · 17th July 09, 03:29 AM

Hello Chas, how are you today.
Great pictures, just loved the
soldiers from Waterloo.
Kind wishes.

**Chas** · 17th July 09, 04:06 AM

Originally Posted by acaig

Well done Chas for letting us all attend the games from our armchairs. Great photos. I have been threatening for some years to get to Harpenden but maybe next year! Good to see you with Balmoral and cromach.

Hi Alan,

The Balmoral, I bought a few weeks ago and modified it to take a cap badge. I am wearing my RAF cap badge for the time being, with the dandelion plant badge above.

The cromach, I got at the gathering. The stickmaker (kilted) had set up shop at first light and was the first to start business. I walked over and chatted (kiltie to kiltie); he spotted my RAF cap badge and we chatted about old times ( he was a cook in the RAF). We moved on to talking about sticks and stickmaking. We found that we both knew the late, great Theo Fossil - possibly the best stickmaker of all time. I had spotted the cromach as I approached his stall and finally enquired as to the price. It was in the £100 rack, but for a fellow kiltie, he said £45. Suddenly, he said "I don't see many ex-RAF - 25 quid and it's yours!" So £25 later and it was mine. It has a lovely balance and the height is right - I like it.

I am still working on making my own, but that could take another year till the wood is properly dry.

Regards

Chas

**Hamish** · 19th July 09, 11:43 AM

Firstly, a great series of images of the Harpenden Gathering we know and love so well. Thank you, Chas. I have attended the previous four annual events and I have to say, it looks and sounds as if nothing has changed at all this year! Still, I am glad you enjoyed it and, as others have said, perhaps we can pick up where we left off and have a wee meet-up at Harpenden again next year. Your 'Stick Man' is there every year and is a really nice sort of chap. We've chatted and been photographed together but I have never bought from him - I guess I am well enough provided for in the stick department!

As for your comments about the fellow in the photo above: that was precisely how I was instructed to wear my belt and sporran strap way back in the 1950s. There being no Internet in those days, I studied photos, sent for kiltmakers' paper catalogues and wrote to Highland Dress suppliers for guidance, because I was ignorant of many facts regarding what was right and what was wrong. Without exception I was advised to wear the waist belt through the loops and the sporran strap outside them. In all the years since then I have implicitly followed those guidelines and, in practice, that is the only way to wear them.

Take care,
Ham.

**Chas** · 19th July 09, 02:40 PM

Originally Posted by Hamish

Firstly, a great series of images of the Harpenden Gathering we know and love so well. Thank you, Chas. I have attended the previous four annual events and I have to say, it looks and sounds as if nothing has changed at all this year! Still, I am glad you enjoyed it and, as others have said, perhaps we can pick up where we left off and have a wee meet-up at Harpenden again next year. Your 'Stick Man' is there every year and is a really nice sort of chap. We've chatted and been photographed together but I have never bought from him - I guess I am well enough provided for in the stick department!

As for your comments about the fellow in the photo above: that was precisely how I was instructed to wear my belt and sporran strap way back in the 1950s. There being no Internet in those days, I studied photos, sent for kiltmakers' paper catalogues and wrote to Highland Dress suppliers for guidance, because I was ignorant of many facts regarding what was right and what was wrong. Without exception I was advised to wear the waist belt through the loops and the sporran strap outside them. In all the years since then I have implicitly followed those guidelines and, in practice, that is the only way to wear them.Take care,Ham.

Hi Hamish,

In all honesty, I do not know and only go by what I have learnt here. I have heard from Steve Ashton and others that the loops are to stop the sporran strap falling down and if the kilt belt is worn through the loops for any length of time the kilt will be distorted. I know no more, but am always willing to be instructed.

Regards

Chas