Downton Abbey: London Scottish piper

**blackwatch70** · 20th January 16, 07:03 AM

Originally Posted by OC Richard

Pretty much everything in the uniform is either Hodden Grey or Royal Blue, but oddly the piper's bag-covers are Gordon tartan.

it's because The London Scottish were affiliated to The Gordon Highlanders from 1916.

**OC Richard** · 20th January 16, 06:42 PM

Still, it's odd, from the Art Design or Costume Design standpoint, to have an entire uniform be consistent in using only two solid colours, including the kilt and plaid, but then have tartan bagcovers.

Anyhow, here's a photo showing a couple London Scottish pipers in 1896, showing how consistently they've dressed over the last 100 years... which is why you can stick a modern London Scottish piper in a historical show and have it period-correct. Good job by the show producers!

And in modern times

**Tim Little** · 20th January 16, 07:25 PM

I especially love the cantle design on the pipers' sporrans.
Here's a closer look:
ac8e37d42bb23a6e70a24dc9fcc8492e.jpg

**blackwatch70** · 21st January 16, 01:08 AM

Originally Posted by Tim Little

I especially love the cantle design on the pipers' sporrans.
Here's a closer look:
ac8e37d42bb23a6e70a24dc9fcc8492e.jpg

This is an offisers and P-M sporran. really nice cantle!

Pipers sporran is more simple , with silvered cantle and 2 long black tassels. See this picture, 1980th...

quarterguard.jpg

**OC Richard** · 21st January 16, 04:49 AM

Yes the Officer's sporran (also worn by the Pipe Major) is wonderfully oldfashioned, being essentially an 18th century cantle design.

The eagle-eyed will spot the distinctive London Scottish piper's sporrans in Tunes Of Glory.

**Pleater** · 21st January 16, 08:58 AM

Whenever I see Hodden Grey my first thought is herdwick ram - the sheep vary in colour, being born black and then gradually fading to ever lighter shades of grey, but the rams are shown with their fleece coloured red.

Anne the Pleater :ootd:

**WillowEstate** · 24th January 16, 08:21 AM

Originally Posted by OC Richard

Yes my wife rolls her eyes when I get all geeky at seeing pipers and kilts in various shows.

When I saw that Downton Abbey scene I say "cool, a piper of The London Scottish!" and she says "whatever..."

Isn't it great to be appreciated?

**MacRob** · 1st February 16, 06:34 AM

Originally Posted by OC Richard

I don't watch that show, in fact that brief scene is my sum total. But I think my wife said that that's the season currently airing in the USA.

That's correct. This is the final season. Frankly I have become a bit bored with it but it is a Sunday night ritual to either watch it or DVR it for later consumption. I saw the piper last week and immediately determined he was from the London Scottish, wearing hodden grey. Mrs. Hughes, the character, is Scottish so it was very appropriate.

**KentuckyCeltophile** · 1st February 16, 07:36 AM

Downton Abbey is one of my favorite shows. They utilize pipers from time to time which makes me like it more. As for the London Scottish piper, I love the Hodden Grey and Blue. I love the tartan kilt obviously, but that is one of very few examples of a plain kilt that looks fantastic. Thanks for sharing.