Quote Originally Posted by Jock Scot View Post
Oh dear Matt, we are heading into the fog,mire and general misunderstandings of the social world that existed and in some ways still exist in Britain. Right or wrong, they probably exist here more than anywhere else in the world and as such are an almost complete mystery to the majority! In consequence, many subtleties (the pictures illustrate this) and general day to day quirks of the social minefield that are not noticed or understood, by those who do not understand.

Anyway, wonderful people though they were and are, shepherds are not gentlemen! Gentlemen in the days of the pictures were rather averse to physical effort(some still are!!) and most certainly would not deem that handling a sheep, never mind a flock of them, as a fitting pastime for a gentleman. Note the "gentlemen" standing and sitting in the background of the pictures-----no rolled up sleeves there, or much physical effort either! No sorry, its is very bad form for a gentleman to roll the sleeves above the elbow. LOL
Sorry, I must have missed the reference to "gentlemen" in the original question. Or, more likely, I was unconsciously applying the concept of "gentleman" that was instilled in me growing up, which has more to do with how one behaves one's self than any sort of social status or occupation. Plus, I suppose I identify more with the fellow wrestling in the burn with the sheep than those sitting on the hillside discussing the latest goings on in Edinburgh!