Army in mufti

[OC Richard]

In another thread I was saying that ghillies have never been a part of military uniform, and it was pointed out to me that British Army pipe bands maintain a civilian kit which they wear when competing at civilian Highland Games.

Here is the Pipes & Drums of The Black Watch so dressed.



I've seen that many times over the years, with The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards. In fact the RSDG did a worldwide concert tour for which they left their usual Full Dress at home and wore civilian kit: civilian shirts, blue tweed waistcoats, civilian Evening Dress sporrans, the dreaded civilian white hose, and ghillies. The only parts of their Army uniform they were wearing were their kilts and their flashes.

Here they are at the 2006 World Pipe Band Championships, in the Grade Two Finals, wearing their civilian kit with blue tweed waistcoats, shortsleeved civilian shirts civilian Evening Dress sporrans, white hose, etc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hjyCF5yDMB4

In the photo of The Black Watch above only their kilts, flashes, sgians, and Glengarries are Army issued items.

I do wonder why these Army bands go to so much trouble and expense merely to fit in with the way all the other bands look. Would the judges be prejudiced against them if they looked like what they are?

I did see the Pipes & Drums of The Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders competing at The World Pipe Band Championships in ordinary Army uniform, Shirtsleeve Order (Kilt), with light khaki shirts, plain brown leather sporrans, Lovat hose, and ordinary brogues.

Here's the Pipes & Drums of The Calgary Highlanders competing in uniform rather than civilian dress

[Father Bill]

Interesting pictures. I for one have deep, deep respect for the military, and love to see them in uniform.

It may be that they need permission from the commanding officer for public appearances in uniform and that in some situations that permission is denied for reasons unknown and misunderstood by the rest of us.

Thanks for posting!

[Nathan]

It's an interesting question. I know there are bands that appear to be regimental but who are in fact civilian. One such example would be the Toronto Black Watch Association Pipe Band. There are some notes about their two uniforms here. Perhaps arrangements like this are more common in the military than perhaps is widely known? Certainly Police pipe bands aren't filled with police officers.

http://www.tbwapd.ca/history.htm