Solo pipers 1980s-today

**OC Richard** · 9th February 12, 05:40 AM

I come from the pipe band scene, the dress of which is what it is.

Pipers however can, and often do, break away from that sort of dress when competitng solo.

Here, for those who might be interested, are photos of the competitors at the Glenfiddich competition over the years. It's a nice window into the Highland Dress of a number of people who wear it on a regular basis, solo competing pipers.

1986. The gent on the right is sporting the then-new stark white band hose, and two kilt pins. Two men are wearing heavy handknit offwhite Aran hose, one with a matching jumper. Though a few are wearing the typical band black Argylls note the stunning check tweed jacket.

Nice tweed and only one pair of offwhite hose on display here in 2005. Slan!

And in 2008 the incomparable Gordon Walker steals the show as usual. He's the only gent not in a black Argyll... and note the matching rosettes

And in 2010 dark hose are the norm and half the men are wearing charcoal jackets

**saxandpipes** · 9th February 12, 06:39 AM

Thanks for sharing!

I like what the young woman is wearing. I have to admit that a woman in a chunky Argyll jacket/waistcoat sporran, ghillie-brogues etc always seems a bit awkward to me. It's just not flattering at all to the female figure.

I love the matching rosettes as well, what a legend!

Cheers!

Michael

**creagdhubh** · 9th February 12, 06:55 AM

Very nice! I especially love the more 'tweedy' and hill-check look, rather than the sterotypical black Argyll jacket and silver buttons. It is a different 'animal' when you go solo from a pipe band - you may dress how you wish!

I have met several of the chaps featured in the photos above (to inlcude the late Alasdair Gillies), and am actually mates with P/M Gordon "Gordy" Walker (always a sharp dresser) - he's quite the character and is also referred to as "wee man!" Hahaha!

Thanks for sharing,

**GMcNab** · 11th February 12, 11:15 AM

Originally Posted by creagdhubh

Very nice! I especially love the more 'tweedy' and hill-check look, rather than the sterotypical black Argyll jacket and silver buttons. It is a different 'animal' when you go solo from a pipe band - you may dress how you wish!

I totally agree. It looks a lot more relaxed and "individual".

**Jack Daw** · 9th February 12, 08:23 PM

A smart-looking band(?) of solo pipers. These are top-notch pipers, and I'm not fit to tie their ghilli brogues, but an indoor air-conditioned room isn't ever cold enough for me to play comfortably in anything other than shirt-sleeves and a waistcoat.

**Nick the DSM** · 10th February 12, 06:46 PM

Is there a difference between solo pipers of the different continents? For example, solo piper in Canada and another in Australia?

It'd be interesting to see.

**OC Richard** · 11th February 12, 04:12 AM

Originally Posted by Nick the DSM

Is there a difference between solo pipers of the different continents? For example, solo piper in Canada

Several of the pipers pictured above are Canadians. Can they be identified by their dress?

**haukehaien** · 11th February 12, 08:38 AM

Originally Posted by OC Richard

Several of the pipers pictured above are Canadians. Can they be identified by their dress?

Perhaps we could require them to wear toques?

**Nick the DSM** · 11th February 12, 08:56 AM

Originally Posted by OC Richard

Several of the pipers pictured above are Canadians. Can they be identified by their dress?

Well, from what I have seen the solo pipers I've seen in America seen to have that cookie cutter image to them with black and white colours, except for the solo pipers that I've seen here. However, when I see solo pipers from Scotland for example, they dress more with tweed and have colour other than black.

**OC Richard** · 18th February 12, 05:32 AM

Originally Posted by Nick the DSM

Well, from what I have seen the solo pipers I've seen in America seen to have that cookie cutter image to them with black and white colours, except for the solo pipers that I've seen here. However, when I see solo pipers from Scotland for example, they dress more with tweed and have colour other than black.

It's fairly international, I think. One of the photos I posted above has all the men save one (Gordon Walker) in black Argyll jackets, the Scots and Canadians alike.

Solo pipers' competition dress (and the dress of the judges) is interesting to me, because some will simply wear the uniform of their current band, while others go to the expense and trouble of an entirely different kit (kilt, jacket, and all). Some soloists will go with a more traditional route with tweed jackets, brown sporrans, tattersall shirts etc, while other soloists will go with a more modern hip look such as an all-black kit (including a plain black, or Black Isle, kilt) etc. There's more variety in solo dress overall.