I nearly always button one button of my Argyll jacket when I'm out playing the pipes for an event.

Over the years I've dispensed with both waistcoat and belt, and button the jacket. This means I have two less things to put on for a gig, I can drive to the gig more comfortably in my car.

Also it gives me a crisper, smarter, slimmer profile (which I embrace due to my middle-age avoirdupois ).

Let's see some modern-day people...

the stewards at the Argyllshire Games (only one fellow is buttoned) :



modern Drum Majors at Shotts (note the twin buttons with chains) :



a gathering of the world's top pipers:



Here's some pipers at Oban in 1950:




But what about the historical background?

In 1700, Lord Duffus is buttoned up:



In the late 18th century jackets were always open. By the end of the century the jackets often had hook-and-eye fastenings at the top, which appears to be the case here:



But after 1800 a new jacket style came into fashion which was buttoned across: