this is gonna be tough......

[billmcc]

Kiltedfirepiper,

Drawing on my experience as a piper in a band here in Florida I have a few comments and suggestions.

Since you are in Arizona, forget about a doublet or tunic. It retains body heat and will cause you to overheat quickly. The same is true with a piper's plaid. Furthermore, the doublet and the plaid are expensive, bulky and restricts arm movement.

Go with a white shirt during the summer and add a military-style sweater or short uniform jacket during the winter. If your shirt has epaulets, consider epaulet covers made of the same tartan material as your kilt. It adds a nice bit of color on top.

A horse hair sporran looks great, but they are a lousy sporran. Some have a very small pouch on the back, but most have no provision for storage. Consider something like a hunting-type sporran so you have some place to put personal items (keys, wallet, etc.) and piping supplies (spare reeds and such).

A straight tie looks nice, but I think an ascot looks even nicer. Furthermore, an ascot is easier to put on than a tie and can be machine washed. You probably won't want to wear a tie or ascot during the summer for any length of time.

Spats will allow you to wear hose tops, instead of full hose, and will allow some variation in the style of shoes being worn.

Don't spend money on clothing items you don't really need just because they look cool. Spend the money on quality kilts and sturdy sporrans. Both are probably going to take a beating over time.

When you start playing with other pipers from your department, consider asking your department for the funds to buy a drone tuner and chanter reeds. Remember, you need to equip a band. A good band sounds like one loud piper, not many pipers playing the same song. So, the pipes will need to be tuned together.

Good luck!

[Spartan]

KFP

Congratulations!

You might check with the piper for the Sun City FD. I don't know his name, but you may remember when I reported on the Firefighter's funeral several months ago. He was impressively sharp for that occasion. He went the whole way with the piper's doublet, plaid, spats, etc. Keep in mind he was a lone piper for the funeral, and it was January.

IMO, if you're going to be part of a FD pipe band, and for other less formal occasions, you're going to want something cooler. A couple of Arizona examples are Glendale Police Department Pipes and Drums and The Phoenix Pipe Band. I have friends in both bands. I think that the Phoenix Pipe Band looks really sharp. If you check the recent pictures in their photo album, they have gone to dark green hose, and ditched the white hose. (The Glendale site isn't working right now, but it should be back.)

I agree with Bill. Start with a quality kilt. You don't want a light weight kilt when you are piping outdoors and both hands are busy.

Have you taken a look at J. Higgins Pipe Band Supplies?

[dfmacliam]

I think you have gotten some sound advice... quality, is always a winner over quantity.. but I might make a suggestion.. If you are piping for an Honor Guard, you might consider this... your appearance will be in the minds of the families, of the good men and women, laid to rest.. wear something that will make an impression, but yet functionable for your enviroment..
I am far from an expert on these matters, and these are only my opinions..

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

Rather than rely wholly on the suggestions of the members, might I suggest you also contact the Orange County (California) Fire Service pipe band, as well as the Edinburgh Fire Brigade Pipe Band in Scotland?

The Orange County band looks particularly sharp.

[Kiltedfirepiper]

when I played in cityof Denver pipeband we wore the doublet/pipers plaid, and crossbelt and I didnt notice any difference in being able to move, and as far as wearing gear that makes you hot.....well.....lets just say I have no problem in that area! hydrate! always!

I need to match our honor guard as well as possible, so the shirt and tie are out.
here is the link to our local site.
http://www.ntffa.org/index.cfm?section=1
and you can watch the top right eventually you will see some of our honor guard lined up. ( it does a slide show)
and honestly, if they have to suffer through the heat, so should I

I'll check out the sites you guys brought up later today.

thx again
KFP

[Colonel MacNeal]

Somehow KiltMart has hair sporrans for $100 each. Looks like real hair, and not those nylon knock-offs. The photo on their website looks good, but I don't know about quality. Maybe you could order one on approval, and send it back if it is subpar. Best price I've seen on hair sporrans anywhere.

Regarding headgear, the Glengarry lets the sweat run out, but the Balmoral holds it in. Something to consider.

[JS Sanders]

While a neat & uniform visible impression is mandatory, too often the most important item is relegated to 2nd place - the music.

Never lose sight of that.

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

Now that I've seen the HG uniform, let me suggest that you ask them who makes their jackets, and then have one cut to kilt length. Barring that, you could opt for a standard Scottish regimental "Patrol Jacket"; I'm not sure if they are still worn by kilted regiments in Canada, but I'm sure some of our members there could help you source one if they are still available.

And yet again all of this would be easier if we had a "kilted reenactor" forum where this sort of question could be answered.

[Mael Coluim]

Congrats!

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

You might also try:

www.replicaters.com/pipeband.hmtl