Instant recognition in kilt

Press, 2 August 1983, Page 9

Instant recognition in kilt

Bryan Atchison wears his kilt proudly. The 1983 Otaki Scholar says the kilt has meant instant recognition at airports and bus stations by people meeting him on his way round the country. He arrived in New Zealand last Wednesday to take up his month long award as the fortieth Otaki Scholar. The scholarship is given in memory of a former pupil of his school, Robert Gordon’s College, Lieutenant Archibald Bissett-Smith, V.C., who went down in the ship Otaki in a battle with a German raider in 1917. The scholarship is sponsored by the P and O Company and the New Zealand Government.

Bryan, aged 18, left Britain by ship on June 15, missing the last couple of weeks of his school. Traditionally, the Otaki Scholar works his passage to New Zealand on board ship. Bryan was no exception, but had a lucky break when the ship’s engineer, learning of his plans to study mechanical engineering, gave him some practical experience in the engine room. - As head prefect of the Aberdeen school it was traditional that Bryan should receive the scholarship, although this is not always the case. * “Originally when the scholarship was announced I felt I was cheating some of the others — some hadn’t travelled very far,” Bryan said. He has been more fortunate, living in Borneo, Australia, Canada, and Scotland, where he has lived for 10 years. This is his first visit to New Zealand.

He is new to the kilt, as its .toe is optional at school andjonly rarely worn in the senior school.

“It’s really very warm,” he said of the Gordon dress tartan.

A keen sportsman, Bryan has been awarded colours in rugby and basketball and plans to watch as many games as possible while in New Zealand.

In a slight break with tradition, Bryan will fly back to Britain via Australia and Canada before starting his engineering course at Aberdeen University. He was met on arrival in Christchurch by the rector of St Andrew’s College, Dr John Rentoul, with whom he ■was to spend his first night in the city. After a morning spent meeting the Mayor of Christchurch, Sir Hamish Hay, and the southern regional manager of P and O, he will visit St Andrew’s. He will spend tonight with the head prefect, John Tiso, before leaving tomorrow morning for Dunedin.