Kilts Spotted at Royal Lytham 1940's Festival

[Lime]

I was down in Lytham a little while ago and spotted these kilted gentlepersons at the 1940's festival... Preston has a pipe band; who knew!





Don't worry. Be happy! Leave me to worry about the whole inflation/top rate tax issue.



Lime green flashes: classy! Oh and is that a camera or are you just pleased to see me (in my kilt).





And finally, a chap with no kilt, but some nice tweed (John G Hardy Alsport for enthusiasts), a decent fairisle (which I have on good authority was picked up from a knitting co-operative in Plockton), a knitted silk tie, a spot of tattershall which might look tolerable with a kilt, some co-respondents (says everything about character) and a good candidate for a future full dress sporran...

[cessna152towser]

Great pics, looks like a fun event.

[BobsYourUncle]

Great photos, thanks for posting them!

[piperdbh]

That looks like it would be an interesting day! Is it a mostly-military event?

[CopperNGold]

Photos like these fascinate me! Can anybody recommend a book on the history and symbolism of pipers' uniforms?
The shoes worn by the gentleman in tweed are great!

Cheers, Jocelyn

[English Bloke]

... Preston has a pipe band; who knew!..

I did... Nice pictures, Cheers.

[Jock Scot]

I did... Nice pictures, Cheers.

Oh lord, a smart alec, why is it that there is always one lurking?


Good morning, EB!

[Chas]

I did... Nice pictures, Cheers.

Oh lord, a smart alec, why is it that there is always one lurking?
Good morning, EB!

Of course, English Bloke hales from the International, Cosmopolitan, Metropolis that is Preston.


Nice detail in the pictures. Not often, we see co-respondent shoes that aren't black and white!

Regards

Chas

[OC Richard]

Can anybody recommend a book on the history and symbolism of pipers' uniforms?

Those uniforms are simply the modern civilian version of military Highland Dress. Any good book about the history of Highland Dress will tell you much of it. The best Army-specific book is The Uniforms & History of the Scottish Regiments by Major R Money Barnes.

There's very little in the way of symbolism, but much history.

For example, the "Feather Bonnet" started out as an ordinary bonnet. But in the 1770s and 1780s soldiers began putting large feathers on it:



and by the early 19th century there were more feathers than bonnet



The doublet was introduced for pipers at first, in the 1840s, at a time when the rest of the Army wore coatees



From 1855 doublets were issued to all kilted Scottish soldiers



In the 1840s the 79th Foot (Cameron Highlanders) introduced a new costume for their pipers consisting of dark green doublet, black leather waistbelt and crossbelt with silver fittings, etc and this became the norm for pipers of all Scottish regiments.

Here is the 42nd Foot (Black Watch) pipers' version, in 1855



and the costume has changed very little since.

Here are actual soldiers wearing this military Full Dress, the Black Watch's Drum Major and Pipe Major a few years ago

[MacMillans son]

Thanks for sharing these Lime, it looks like a fun and interesting mix of folks and activities.

I too would like to know more about the event and it's history, when you get a chance.


And, Richard again provides more visual reminders of traditional kilt length and hose height, amongst other interesting bits!