Highland Dress/Uniform Photos - Various

[ThistleDown]

Very nicely done, Kyle. Thank you for collecting and sharing them.

[CMcG]

Great photos, Kyle, thanks!

As for discussion, I think an interesting point to mull over is that performing pipers can be considered to be "in uniform," even when wearing fairly typical day wear. Is there anything about the pipers in these pics that stands out to people as being different from what a typical civilian might wear?

[Downunder Kilt]

Thanks for this fantastic insight into the recent past of kilt wearing Kyle. It is intresting to note that in photos where you can see a gent wearing a kilt pin, most of them appear to be of the "nappy (diapper) pin" variety.

[creagdhubh]

Kyle.

What a dazzling collection of pictures of some properly dapper folks. The day wear pictures are grand. Ta very much for stickin' those up. They mostly substantiate everything Jock Scot tells us about traditional highland attire. Where did you get them and what date are they? Must be post '52 as the Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders Pipe Major has a Queen's crown on his arm. (At least I think he's Argylls by the Black Watch Kilt and three tasselled hair sporran, someone please correct me if I'm wrong.) Lot of fags being smoked as well I noticed. And the kids sitting on the high wall? That would never be allowed to happen now.

John,

Your observations are absolutely spot on! I had seen these photos in person, as well as many others, whilst attending an event in 2011 at The Piping Centre in Glasgow. They have a superb museum, dedicated to what else, but piping! The photo series were on display there. I recently contacted P/M Gordon Walker, asking him if the photos were still on display, as I wasn't sure if they were a permanent part of the museum's collection or not. He said yes, they are indeed on permanent display and were also available online at The Piping Centre's official website. The photos are not restricted or copyrighted in any fashion and may be shared through various technological avenues such as this forum, Twitter, Facebook, etc. Below is the link to the photo collection.

http://www.thepipingcentre.co.uk/mus...s-photographs/

Cheers,

[creagdhubh]

Thanks for this fantastic insight into the recent past of kilt wearing Kyle. It is intresting to note that in photos where you can see a gent wearing a kilt pin, most of them appear to be of the "nappy (diapper) pin" variety.

When I wear a kilt pin, and I seldom do nowadays, it is this style of pin...the "blanket" pin, about 4 inches in length and in silver. Simple, understated, traditional.

[dea3369]

Kyle,

Thank you for these photos. Like John (English Bloke), I'm curious about approximate date when these pictures were taken. I'm guessing the color photos are post-1960. What's interesting (striking?) to me is how little the kilt attire has changed from then to now. I mean, men's ties and coat lapels have grown and shrunk, but these gentlemen could have been photographed yesterday, based simply on what they're wearing. At least that's my impression, given my recent introduction and limited exposure to the world of kilts.

How has kilt wear evolved since then? Have they gone though a long-short-long cycle similar to women's skirts?

It's also interesting to note what others have seen in the photos. I, too, was drawn to the kids sitting on the high wall and vehicles parked in the background. I also noticed the women's hairstyles.

Again, thanks for sharing.

Have a safe Memorial Day weekend as we remember our brothers and sisters who died serving our country.

[creagdhubh]

Is there anything about the pipers in these pics that stands out to people as being different from what a typical civilian might wear?

As far as the pipers who are not in an obvious uniform of a particular Scottish Regiment, and to answer your question, not really (with exception to the leather, regimental sporrans and bar and buckle brogues with day attire). I have always found "solo" pipers' attire very interesting and often times inspiring. Just look at some of the chaps featured above; they are wearing Highland dress, specifically what could be considered as Highland day attire, in a very traditional approach - simplistic, understated, and not overly ornate or ostentatious. Of course, the time period could have something to do with that mentality and approach to Highland clothing as well, which it usually did, yet you can also see this approach to Highland dress today, which makes it all the more intriguing.

Some of the chaps above are wearing plain leather sporrans with their regimental badge affixed to the front, I would never do this since I am obviously not a veteran/ex-serviceman of any Scottish Regiment. Other than that, I would wear what they have on (I love the way they wear their bonnets, their check jackets, the badger sporrans, and the patterned cuffed hose)!

Cheers,

[TheBrus]

Do you have captions? I'd love to put names to faces--not that I'd know anyone. I thought for a minute that the fifth photo down, the man on the right, was Jock Scott.

[creagdhubh]

I mean, men's ties and coat lapels have grown and shrunk, but these gentlemen could have been photographed yesterday, based simply on what they're wearing.

Precisely!

Have a safe Memorial Day weekend as we remember our brothers and sisters who died serving our country.

I agree, a heartfelt "thank you" to all my brothers and sisters who have served, and let's remember those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for their country - both here in the USA, as well as in the UK, Australia, France, and Canada - our brothers-in-arms. Semper Fidelis.

Cheers,

[creagdhubh]

Do you have captions? I'd love to put names to faces--not that I'd know anyone. I thought for a minute that the fifth photo down, the man on the right, was Jock Scott.

You can see the captions at this website:

http://www.thepipingcentre.co.uk/mus...s-photographs/