Pipers DID wear the White Equipment issued in each conflict discussed here, but they also sometime wore a black version, which better matched the traditional black Piper's waist belt. Here is are photos of Black Watch Pipers of the era, and in the close ups you can see that the shoulder straps of their "White Equipment" are, in fact, black.
And the close up:
And the second close Up:
Seaforth Highlander Piper with Black Equipment:
"Before two notes of the theme were played, Colin knew it was Patrick Mor MacCrimmon's 'Lament for the Children'...Sad seven times--ah, Patrick MacCrimmon of the seven dead sons....'It's a hard tune, that', said old Angus. Hard on the piper; hard on them all; hard on the world." Butcher's Broom, by Neil Gunn, 1994 Walker & Co, NY, p. 397-8.
Bookmarks