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  1. #1
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    pipers of the lost Highland regiments

    Another thread touched upon the (to me) interesting topic of the dress of the early Victorian (pre-1881) Highland regiments of Scotland.

    The 1881 reorganization of the army produced the familiar five kilted Highland regiments: the Black Watch, The Seaforth Highlanders, the Cameron Highlanders, the Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders, and the Gordon Highlanders.

    Prior to 1881 there were many more Highland regiments and the pipers of these had a variety of dress.

    There don't seem to be very many images of some of these regiments' pipers. Here's what I have found so far. I'm focusing on the mid-19th century more or less.

    The 72nd Foot. This regiment had a unique look, wearing trews of Prince Charles Edward Stuart tartan rather than kilts. The pipers did wear kilts. Here's a period illustration showing the appearance of the 72nd pipers in 1847. The piper is wearing the same coatee as the rank and file soldiers which was common in the early 19th century.



    Here is a post-Crimean War photo of the Pipe Major of the 72nd, note that the doublet has been adopted



    In the old days some regiments put their musicians in white jackets, and here is a piper of the 78th Foot so dressed in 1852. Highland regiments as a whole had their coatees replaced by doublets in 1855. The soldier in the back is wearing the white shell jacket.



    Here's the Pipe Major and other members of the 78th Foot in 1867.



    and a piper of the 78th Foot



    A piper of the 79th foot in 1852. It was the 79th who introduced dark green doublets for pipers (the 79th's facing colour) which were later adopted by the other Highland regimental pipers, and which now are worn by the entire infantry of Scotland.



    A piper of the 91st Foot in 1865



    The 91st Foot in 1872 well showing the piper's dress



    A 91st piper in 1874



    This period painting from 1880 shows plain Glengarries for the 91st pipers

    Last edited by OC Richard; 19th May 18 at 04:21 PM.
    Proud Mountaineer from the Highlands of West Virginia; son of the Revolution and Civil War; first Europeans on the Guyandotte


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