In recent times the word ‘anorak’ has come to be associated with people who have hobbies considered by most people to be boring, though we’d rather concentrate on the other meaning which is a warm, often waterproof jacket which is pulled on over the head and invariably has a hood. The word itself seems to have had its origins with the North American and Greenland Inuit people where it is written in various ways such as annoraaq or anoraq. The word seems to be pretty much interchangeable with Parka which is very similar, though Europeans tend to think of a Parka as being longer, bulkier and opening at the front. Both may or may not have fur around the collar. From a Scottish mountain heritage point of view, anoraks seem to have been the fashion in the 1940s/50s and 60s with just about everyone wearing one, very often of ex-military origin like the one we have here in the collection. Showing the faded patina of time, this ones proves the military heritage as it once belonged to RAF mountain rescue hero (well he said he was) Dave (Heavy) Whalley – thanks Dave.