Just found this on Twitter … apparently from PC and Camilla’s trip to Egypt last year. I just love how the angle of the shot makes it look like those guys are making grabby hands at Major Jonny.
Lt. Colonel Johnny Thompson of the Scots Guards and Handsome Men In Kilts **Appreciation Thread
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Just found this on Twitter … apparently from PC and Camilla’s trip to Egypt last year. I just love how the angle of the shot makes it look like those guys are making grabby hands at Major Jonny.
He just seems like a generally smiley guy. (I call it “resting smile face” as opposed to a certain royal gentleman who sat just ahead of Major Johnny at the Jubilee, who had resting scowl face!) My late dad always said “take your job seriously but don’t take yourself seriously.”
Also he has absolutely gorgeous bone structure and William’s attractiveness to me is more on a scale of Royals (some of whom are decidedly quite plain). IOW, William is fairly attractive but if he weren’t in line to be King of the UK, would he turn heads on the street? Not mine. MJT, in contrast, made me realize what the phrase “arrestingly handsome” means. I would look twice for sure!
That’s definitely true! But genetics are weird.
There are superficial similarities I think, perhaps enhanced by the uniforms in this photo, but if you look at them juxtaposed for any great amount of time it’s clear they’re not that similar looking. For one thing their noses are totally different.
Shetland Pony Mascots
These little Shetland ponies are too beautiful to ignore and as part of the kilted men's environment, they deserve special recognition here as well. The following info is a collation of snippets from various articles that I've read about them.
From 1928, three black Shetland Ponies called Cruachan have served as mascots for the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders until the regiment was merged with the Royal Regiment of Scotland in 2004 or 2006 depending which article one reads. Presently, Cruachan IV represents the Regiment during official events.
A Pony Major tends to the Cruachan’s needs and it takes approximately three hours to brush his coat, comb his mane and tail, polish his hooves and dress him in his regimental saddle cloth.
Cruachan I was the first mascot of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders from 1928 until he retired and put to pasture in 1939 when the regiment went on active duty. He was very playful and full of tricks and loved escaping from his stable. He died in 1942 at age 17.
Cruachan II served between 1952 and 1979. His full name was Cruachan of Braes of Greenock. He was presented to the 1st Battalion upon their return from Hong Kong and Korea on August 17, 1952. He also served in Germany and Cyprus before retiring in 1979 and having achieved the rank of Lance Corporal. He was a crowd pleaser and enjoyed drinking beer on his time off. In 1953, he tried to eat HM’s bouquet and in 1978, he bit her glove during a parade.
1952-1979 Cruachan II enjoying his pint.
1953 June 24: Cruachan II trying to eat HM's bouquet at Holyrood House.
1959: Cruachan II welcomes the regiment home from Cyprus.
1978 November 11: Cruachan II bit HM's glove.
To be continued...
These little Shetland ponies are too beautiful to ignore and as part of the kilted men's environment, they deserve special recognition here as well. The following info is a collation of snippets from various articles that I've read about them.
From 1928, three black Shetland Ponies called Cruachan have served as mascots for the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders until the regiment was merged with the Royal Regiment of Scotland in 2004 or 2006 depending which article one reads. Presently, Cruachan IV represents the Regiment during official events.
A Pony Major tends to the Cruachan’s needs and it takes approximately three hours to brush his coat, comb his mane and tail, polish his hooves and dress him in his regimental saddle cloth.
Cruachan I was the first mascot of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders from 1928 until he retired and put to pasture in 1939 when the regiment went on active duty. He was very playful and full of tricks and loved escaping from his stable. He died in 1942 at age 17.
Cruachan II served between 1952 and 1979. His full name was Cruachan of Braes of Greenock. He was presented to the 1st Battalion upon their return from Hong Kong and Korea on August 17, 1952. He also served in Germany and Cyprus before retiring in 1979 and having achieved the rank of Lance Corporal. He was a crowd pleaser and enjoyed drinking beer on his time off. In 1953, he tried to eat HM’s bouquet and in 1978, he bit her glove during a parade.
1952-1979 Cruachan II enjoying his pint.
1953 June 24: Cruachan II trying to eat HM's bouquet at Holyrood House.
1959: Cruachan II welcomes the regiment home from Cyprus.
1978 November 11: Cruachan II bit HM's glove.
To be continued...
I went to the fishmarket in my town outside of Boston yesterday and an older man came in came in wearing a kilt! I thought of you all.
On the theme:
And a larger version of the image on the bottom right:
Corporal Cruachan IV has his own Twitter page where he is quite opinionated and adorable!
Shetland Pony Mascots (Part 2)
Cruachan III became the Mascot of the Argylls after the soldiers purchased him in 1995. He led the Battalion during parades after the soldiers returned from their 2008 tour of Afghanistan. He achieved the rank of Lance Corporal. In 2006, he gradually became the mascot for the new Royal Regiment of Scotland and wore the Regiment’s colours and badge along with his full complement of campaign medals. He retired from public duty in 2012 at age 23 after appearing at the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo to spend time with his companion Islay. In 2016 he was voted Equine Personality of the Year and received the Tarragon Trophy from the British Horse Society. Out of kindness, he was euthanized at “his home” the stable at Edinburgh’s Redford Barracks because he was suffering from generalized arthritis. He was 30 yrs old. RIP gentle pony, who loved carrots and was HMTQ’s favourite. Because he was so well behaved, it's very difficult to find his pictures anywhere.
August 2000: RCMP Staff Sgt Jacques Ouellette takes a break from Edinburgh Tattoo rehearsals with Cruachan III.
2004 November 09: HM greets Cruachan III and his companion Islay during a visit to Howe Barracks in Canterbury.
2007 July: HM with Cruachan III
2012: HMTQ's last meeting with Cruachan 111 before his retirement.
2012: Cruachan III with his friend Islay enjoying retirement.
2015 May 9: Cruachan III makes a guest appearance to march behind the Milngavie Pipe Band in veterans' parade.
2016 December 15: Cruachan III with his horse of the year Tarragon Trophy.
Cruachan III became the Mascot of the Argylls after the soldiers purchased him in 1995. He led the Battalion during parades after the soldiers returned from their 2008 tour of Afghanistan. He achieved the rank of Lance Corporal. In 2006, he gradually became the mascot for the new Royal Regiment of Scotland and wore the Regiment’s colours and badge along with his full complement of campaign medals. He retired from public duty in 2012 at age 23 after appearing at the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo to spend time with his companion Islay. In 2016 he was voted Equine Personality of the Year and received the Tarragon Trophy from the British Horse Society. Out of kindness, he was euthanized at “his home” the stable at Edinburgh’s Redford Barracks because he was suffering from generalized arthritis. He was 30 yrs old. RIP gentle pony, who loved carrots and was HMTQ’s favourite. Because he was so well behaved, it's very difficult to find his pictures anywhere.
August 2000: RCMP Staff Sgt Jacques Ouellette takes a break from Edinburgh Tattoo rehearsals with Cruachan III.
2004 November 09: HM greets Cruachan III and his companion Islay during a visit to Howe Barracks in Canterbury.
2007 July: HM with Cruachan III
2012: HMTQ's last meeting with Cruachan 111 before his retirement.
2012: Cruachan III with his friend Islay enjoying retirement.
2015 May 9: Cruachan III makes a guest appearance to march behind the Milngavie Pipe Band in veterans' parade.
2016 December 15: Cruachan III with his horse of the year Tarragon Trophy.
Thank you for all your research Maggie! All of the ponies have great personalities!
HMTQ has cancelled her official public welcome at Balmoral Castle. Sadly there will be no Shetland pony (Cruachan IV) greetings.
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Queen Elizabeth Skips Traditional Welcome Event at Her Scottish Castle for 'Reasons of Comfort'
Instead of the usual fanfare surrounding Queen Elizabeth's arrival to Balmoral Castle for her summer break, the monarch will be welcomed privately this year
Awww, Corporal Cruachan IV arranged a get-together of ALL the mascots in Edinburgh. As a dog-lover, my favorite is of course the Irish Guards’ gorgeous wolfhound.
To keep this semi-topical:
To keep this semi-topical:
Apparently, during the 2014 Edinburgh Military Tattoo, Cruachan IV's handler tried to stop the mischievous Shetland Pony from eating his sporran. 
Imo the good Major Johnny Thompson wears it better. Credit to Charles for trying 
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Prince Charles dons a kilt and sporran to attend church in Caithness
Prince Charles has been snapped attending a Sunday church service at Canisbay Church in Caithness during his royal visit to Scotland.
OMG, it must be because Charles has such a tiny sporran compared to Major Johnny's...Imo the good Major Johnny Thompson wears it better. Credit to Charles for trying
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Prince Charles dons a kilt and sporran to attend church in Caithness
Prince Charles has been snapped attending a Sunday church service at Canisbay Church in Caithness during his royal visit to Scotland.
Do we have a birthday for Major Johnny? I want to look up his sign. (Ok, I want to look up his kilt, but I’ll be happy with just his Birth date.