Penn York Highlanders

[OC Richard]

Here's a postcard postmarked 1959, of the "Penn York Highlanders"



Their costume, as you can see, is exceedingly strange (uber-tall spats, plaidlike things worn over shirts without necktie or waistcoat, children's sporrans).

A band of this name still exists. I wonder if it's the same group.

Here's the site:

https://www.facebook.com/pennyorkhighlanders/

They seem to have not decided upon a name: at different places they call themselves "The Ladies From Hell Pipe Band" and "The Penn York Bagpipe Band".

Another thing I've not seen on any other pipe band's site is that on their list of members you have to go down nine spots before you come to the first title that refers to a playing position (Drum Sergeant).

Members:
1 Commander
2 Vice Commander
3 Corresponding Secretary
4 Treasurer
5 Recording Secretary
6 Quartermaster
7 Chaplin
8 Drum Major
9 Drum Sergeant

99.9% of the pipe bands in the world list the Pipe Major first. With many, that's the only person mentioned.

[Father Bill]

Strange indeed!

[Tarheel]

I see from their facebook page there have been a few kit changes (adult sporrans for example). It seems they have matured since 1959. Good for them.

[OC Richard]

There's a Penn York Highlanders postcard on Ebay now

http://www.ebay.com/itm/c1950s-Penn-...oAAOSwqu9VKXcJ

let's see if I can post a photo from the auction



Here they have real sporrans and spats, and feather bonnets! ...but you can see the kilts aren't normal traditional kilts. They have a wide waistband and seem to be pleated, or at least gathered, all or mostly around. The Drum Major has an actual doublet, the rest are wearing odd white Ike-jacket-like things (apparently the same as the Drum Major is wearing in the first postcard in the OP).

To me it's putting the cart before the horse to spend all the money for feather bonnets when you don't have proper kilts or jackets.