Solo pipers 1980s-today

[Nick the DSM]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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.

[Nick the DSM]

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.

I love the traditional route, I guess it's because it's different to see than just the usual black uniform. It's become the norm to dress with uniform in mind though, even for solo pipers. I always wondered what it'd look like if a band took a different direction with a uniform instead of black argyll, black vest, glengarry, and whatever coloured hose they choose to wear. Though I'd imagine you can't out dress the Pipe Majors.

[OC Richard]

There's the dress of solo competing pipers, then there's the dress of solo competing Drum Majors.

Some DMs are affiliated with a band and wear a version of the band kit, others create their own outfit from scratch.

Here are the competing DMs at the Queen Mary Scottish Festival last month