Last of the mohican for Nairn Academy pupil
TEENAGER Rory Cormack is parting with his distinctive locks today for charity.
The 17-year-old Nairn Academy pupil is having his hair shaved after sporting the unconventional and high maintenance style since he was in primary six.
For the past eight years, his morning routine before school has involved 10 minutes of styling, backcombing and applications of gel and hairspray, courtesy of his mother, Kirstine Finlayson.
But as he prepares to go university in September, Rory felt it was time for the spikes to go – and decided to use the occasion as a fundraiser for the Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SSPCA). So far, he has raised £835.
"I am finishing school this year and thought it was a time for a fresh start," said Rory, who lives in Cawdor.
He first adopted the hairstyle after reading the Guinness Book of World Records at the age of nine.
"I read that the world’s longest mohican was about 70cms which was rather out of my league," he recalled. "But in my infant wisdom, I thought I would try to go for the record. I got to about 30cms and decided I was out of it but I kept the style."
Although the style is stereotypically regarded as being a symbol of rebellion, anti-authoritarianism and non-conformity, Rory said many people had discovered first impressions were not always what they seemed.
"A lot of teachers have said they expected me to act in a certain way but once they got to know me and my personality, they realised that was not the case," he said.
"I get different reactions. A lot of bald guys say they wish they could have something like this while young kids see it and ask their parents if they can have their hair like mine."
Maintaining the precision look means a visit to the hairdresser every five weeks although 6ft 2in Rory revealed as a second row rugby player for his school the look is sacrificed when he squashes his hair beneath his scrum cap.
He chose the SSPCA to benefit from his haircut as he admires the charity’s work and also has animals including dogs and horses.
"I would like to see the money go towards helping underprivileged animals that do not have the love and care of a family environment," he said.
"If the money I raise helps to bring an animal a happy and loved life, I know that this will be worth it."
Currently studying for Advanced Highers in maths and physics and a Higher in PE, he is set to study mechanical engineering at Strathclyde University.
His mother, an accounts manager for haulage contractor R & F Campbell, said the longest Rory had grown his hair was about 1ft.
"It takes a lot of backcombing, gel and then hairspraying but I have it down to a fine art now!" she said.
