THCD Photo Examples

**Blupiper** · 10th December 10, 12:10 PM

The gentleman in the photo (5th photo down in first post in this thread) is John D. Burgess, a piper of some renown (I am damning him with faint praise here--he was a giant of 20th century piping). His elegant attire shows a mastery of color and combination (note the line of dicing on his hose--perfect--and the red lacing of his ghillies). He seems very well at ease and nicely kitted out. The ease might have something to do with what's in the glass.

JMB

**davidlpope** · 10th December 10, 12:57 PM

Originally Posted by Blupiper

The gentleman in the photo (5th photo down in first post in this thread) is John D. Burgess, a piper of some renown (I am damning him with faint praise here--he was a giant of 20th century piping). His elegant attire shows a mastery of color and combination (note the line of dicing on his hose--perfect--and the red lacing of his ghillies). He seems very well at ease and nicely kitted out.
JMB

Right. There's a good thread about him here:
http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f...burgess-53164/

All accounts I've run across show that P/M John D. Burgess was a very snazzy dresser from early on. Gordon Walker seems to exhibit this same concern with what he wears (and is a very fine fine piper, himself).

**M. A. C. Newsome** · 8th December 10, 06:16 AM

Great idea, David! I'll contribute a few.

The first is evening wear. The others are all various day wear examples.

**davidlpope** · 8th December 10, 08:11 AM

Once again, nothing earth-shattering, but overall very nice in the way that different items are put together. None seem to have that "cookie-cutter" look that one frequently encounters at American Highland Games.

**saxandpipes** · 8th December 10, 02:59 PM

Originally Posted by M. A. C. Newsome

Great idea, David! I'll contribute a few.

What is this tartan? Is the man a chief?

Cheers,

Michael

**xman** · 8th December 10, 03:06 PM

Originally Posted by saxandpipes

What is this tartan?

This must be Rob Roy, No? A MacGregor tartan I assume.

**saxandpipes** · 8th December 10, 03:13 PM

Originally Posted by xman

This must be Rob Roy, No? A MacGregor tartan I assume.

Aah, thanks,

Sir Malcolm MacGregor, The photographer and clan chief maybe?

**davidlpope** · 8th December 10, 03:19 PM

Originally Posted by saxandpipes

Aah, thanks,

Sir Malcolm MacGregor, The photographer and clan chief maybe?

Got it.

**M. A. C. Newsome** · 9th December 10, 05:12 AM

Originally Posted by saxandpipes

Aah, thanks,

Sir Malcolm MacGregor, The photographer and clan chief maybe?

That's him, and his lovely wife Fiona. :-) The photo was taken at the Stone Mountain Highland Games in 2008, I believe, and the tartan he's wearing is the Red & Black MacGregor, aka "Rob Roy."

Here is another photo of the pair, showing a more tartan-filled example of THCD.

**Tobus** · 9th December 10, 09:06 AM

I was also interested to see discussion above of that other great highland accessory- the beard.

I do wish these would come back into fashion! I've seen it written that the tradition amongst Highlanders was to be clean-shaven, but it also seems that (during the Victorian era, at least) beards were very much en-vogue. I personally think a prodigious amount of facial hair adds a gruffness/manliness to the entire ensemble that makes it 10 times more appealing.

That is a pretty amazing looking. Man if I ever win the lottery I know that I would love to have the complete set in a few tartans. Thanks for sharing this photo.

I know there's a good tradition in wearing that much tartan, but to me it's simply too much. I may be crucified for this opinion, but it borders on absurd-looking to me with such a bright/bold tartan, and in such broad expanses of area. In older portraits (mainly from Jacobite times) it seems to look more appropriate, though, and I suppose this is because the tartans were more complex, and the pattern was 'broken up' by the wearing of a plaid.

Is he also holding a matching tartan bonnet of some sort in his hand?