I have read the Lord Lyon's page and am familiar with the custom of only wearing feathers behind one's badge if they are a clan chief 3, branch chieftain 2 or armiger 1 (rarely done).

Given this reality, why do so many photos of people in highland attire feature headdress with feathers? The style I see most often is two feathers each sort of curved outwardly in opposite directions as seen here:

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here

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and here...

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These all could be uniforms of some type either of a pipe band or highland dancer. Is there an exception for groups of this nature? The solo piper isn't with a group, but could be in a band uniform?

These photos are from circa 1930-1950. Thoughts?