pipers plaid

**OC Richard** · 20th August 11, 07:55 PM

Originally Posted by londonpiper

This is the correct method for a piper as I have also been taught by many ex-army pipers

Well I would hesitate to call it the correct method, because of many images of military men, many of them the very Pipe Majors and Drum Majors who would be teaching the pipers of the regiment how to put their plaids on.

Above I posted photos of Scots Guards pipers and a Gordon Highlander piper, all with the left-shoulder shell visible.

Here are more:

and I could post dozens more.

BUT what about these? Here is Pipe Major Evan MacRae of the QOCH (during the period they wore Royal Stewart) and it's quite possible that he's using that method (removing the left-shoulder shell). He was one of my teachers at piping school in the early 80s, a lovely man. What's interesting is the postcard above showing a piper of the same regiment at around the same time with that shell showing.

And what about these Argylls? They might be using that method too.

And here's an Argyll PM of over 100 years ago (93rd Highlanders actually), perhaps doing likewise

**Mike_Oettle** · 23rd August 11, 02:10 PM

Many thanks, DBH, for the link to Matthew’s article.
I don’t see myself wearing any kind of plaid in the near future, but if I ever get one, I think it would be the kind Matt describes.
Regards,
Mike