INTRODUCTION.

Does this dozen of freestyle, somewhat classic flies have something in common with that most distinctive garment which the Scots brought with them from Ireland, and which had probably been worn in the reign of Niall also known as Léine ... ?? Maybe not at first sight. Take a closer look ... they show some points of resemblance. I will explain, but first a bit of history. The origin of Scotland's clans and of their distinctive dress are wrapped in controversy. Yet their story can be traced back with certainty to the middle of the 5th century, and to Ireland where the Scots then lived. Here the earliest historical High King was known as Niall Noigiallach (of the Nine Hostages), whose descendants of the O'Neill dynasty expanded northwards into Ulster. As a result Fergus Mór of the little kingdom of Dalriada moved his seat of government from Northern Ireland, and crossed the sea to found a new Dalradia for his Scots in the land that now bears their name. In 563 a prince of the house of O'Neill called Colum Cille (Dove of the Church) joined them there, and is remembered today as Saint Columbia. A century later the Scots were organized in three principal kindreds from Ardnamurchan in the north to Kintyre in the south: the kindreds of Lorne, Angus and Gabrán.

Sofar for a bit of history. From time to time we flydressers want to try out something new ... something that might not have been done before. I thought it would be a nice idea to design a certain number of fulldressed flies based on the colours of Scottish Clans. Playing with colourful furs and feathers, bending them around pieces of fine steel, this series of flies came from the 4Sure bench. And if I badly sinneth against all rules existing in the tyeing of classic Atlantic salmon flyes I say unto thee ... "Thou who art without sins ... throw the first stone !." I thoroughly enjoyed doing another fun project. Enjoyment in the tyeing of flyes ... the only criterion, isn't it ... ?

JOIN THE GATHERING OF MY CLANS! Click the bottle for a Wee Dram on me and ... hit the next page for all thumbnails on the next page *S*