Carrying Sticks

[ThistleDown]

It is a lovely candid photo of the 30s. Thank you, Sandford, for reminding us what it was like 'way back then. There are many similarities with today, for sure: kilts and jackets are worn now in Highland Scotland much as they were then. Balmorals, when they are worn today, take a dandy tilt for some and for others sit like pork pies.

Hose are home-knitted, when the skill is in the house, and (not to be seen in this b&w pic) come in all colours and patterns, some of them -- oh forbid, forbid, not matching anything but oh so comfortable.

Most folk today wear flashes, but some just keep their hose up with elastic garters. Sgians were worn low in the hose with an inch or so exposed, and that's usually how they are worn today.

Blanket paids were worn then by the landed and the significant and they still are today -- for occasions such as this one. Sticks and staffs were then used as a symbol of gentry. Today they are used if you are disabled or in the field or on the hills -- as walking aids.

Stout, bull-hide, welted brogues were worn to protect from sloshy fields -- and sometimes "ghillie brogues" to let the water out as well as in! And wellies, too, as they still are.

Times change, and yet they remain the same.

[Jock Scot]

Thanks for posting the picture. With a wee tad of thought, I might actually put names to some of those in the picture! Wow! What a blast from the past! I was born not too long after that picture was taken and that style of wearing the kilt,plaid,cromach,etc.,etc., is how I was brought up to wear Scots Highland attire. On the whole, I suppose I still do.

I note that not a glengarry or tweed cap is to be seen and many of the bonnets are "diced".The "lairds plaid" was a real pain to carry as it used to slip from the shoulder all the time and most certainly they were used to keep warm and dry.The chaps with the plaid wrapped around their torso would have almost certainly walked a fair way to the gathering as that was the only sensible way to carry them when walking. When used for shelter the plaid was draped over both shoulders,like a shawl, and was surprisingly effective as protection from the elements.

[JSFMACLJR]

Thanks for posting the picture. With a wee tad of thought, I might actually put names to some of those in the picture! Wow! What a blast from the past! I was born not too long after that picture was taken and that style of wearing the kilt,plaid,cromach,etc.,etc., is how I was brought up to wear Scots Highland attire. On the whole, I suppose I still do.

.

I might be able to help you, Jock!


The man on the left with the plaid with his back to the camera is Sir Colin MacRae.

Talking to my father (my father is in the MacLean Hunting, light coloured jacket) is Col Ian Maxwell Campbell of Airds.

Centre of pic, with both hands on his stick, is Malcolm of Poltalloch.

The two young men towards the right are Campbell of Dunstaffnage, Yr (with the nice hose), and Campbell of Inverneil, Yr.

Aye,
Sandford

[Mark Keeney]

There was someone on here that was colorizing pictures. Although this is a great picture in black and white, this would be a great picture to have colorized.

edit. CEF are you up for a challenge?

[Cynthia]

Great photo!

[Spc. Scott]

A great photo...I knew right off that I had seen it before.

Bottom of the page

[Alan H]

What a great picture. Not that I'd necessarily want to do *everything* that these gentlemen do, ALL the time, but I'm really enjoying looking at the details in the pic.

THANKS!

[beowulf67]

Thanks for posting. This is a great picture.

[chasem]

I didn't read well when I first opened this thread; I assumed this was another of the Life pictures.

That's awesome to have such a picture. Do take care of it, and thanks for posting.

[Zardoz]

What a fantastic photo! Everyone so nattily attired! I was really blown away that even the kids have walking sticks.

Then again, I think every gentleman should have a stick as one of his accessories!