Inappropriate Wear

[Allan Thomson]

On thing that does strike me is when I see a lot of these street bands like Albanach and Clanadonia is why on earth do they if they wear the plaid instead of the phillabeg leave them hanging down all the time? OK I know that there is a precedent in an illustration of the undress of the 42nd for wearing the plaid like this, but it just looks much better and less like wearing a tartan skirt if it's either both ends meeting at the shoulder sash fashion (if they must insist on wearing them bare chested) or else pinned to the shoulder and belted up to expose the pleating?.....

[CollinMacD]

My hats off to you family for their brave acts of heroism. By no means am I making a mockery of your ancestors sacrifice by saying the pipes go beyond Military tradition, post World Wars expanded many traditions of the Military into civilian world, and the pipes was one of them.

Again, by no means do I mean to be disrespectful at all, but in reality the pipes where actually used as a form of warfare. Playing them out of sight of the British, who outnumbered the Scots played a big physiologic role of causing fear before the battle.

The piper tradition in the Military sense carried on generation after generation as you so well described. However, the pipes slowly found its way into the civilian roles, police and fire organizations routinely have pipe bands, the St. Andrews Societies, and the list goes on.

The pipers of today play some of the traditional songs played by the military, but have included many pop songs such as "Hey Jude" of the "Mull of Kyntire" (Later played by the Royal Scot Band on Paul McCartney's Pop Hit of the 70;s, in Canada and the US. Only in Scotland do you still have MILITARY Pipe Bands that are active duty. I am sure in Britain and Scotland the Black Watch plays Military and some pop. Even "Amazing Grace", which in my opinion can only be played correctly on a bagpipe and band, just does not sound right play otherwise, yet it was written and played originally for guitar, then piano and organ. Military of your ancestors I double played this religious hymn, not that they did not, but not as common as other Military March and Parade (Precession) Music the Military Pipe Bands played during the War years. Post war is when the pipes expanded beyond Military use.

It was only a matter of time when the pipes would be incorporated in pop, punk and contemporary music. Disrespectful, that is an individual call, progressive, I think we can agree on that, although not my cup of tea, and obviously not yours, but still its about earning the dollar or pound note that governs this.


So Allan, I think you are comparing apples and oranges, and you need to keep perspective as the pipes are a musical instrument, not owned by the military, and by no means will follow tradition, as people will use them for their own interpretations of their own music.

I agree with you as far as tradition, but so many aspects of every part of our lives are changing in a world full of change. I have learned to accept it, but does not mean I have to like it or listen to it, and I don't. Like you I prefer the prompt and circumstance that has for so long been accepted with the pipes. I accept change, and I know I cannot change change.....but I do agree with you. Don't like it, but accept it is what it is. Cheers.

[Allan Thomson]

I was in the other camp - in favour of alternative applications of pipes and drums as long as it's done well. My examples were the Red Hot Chilli Pipers, and I think I've found some new talent that I can definitely admire.



Anyone identify the tartan and if she was going to go to my St Andrews dinner should she swap the arm warmers for another colour?..... I was thinking something like this might be better for evening attire?.....

It's more the street busker type acts that grate a bit.....

My other point was that despite having relatives whose names are in the books I don't feel disrespected and I think there's more important things to get angry about like sacrifices that have been forgotten or honours not given where they were well deserved, or the slander perpetuated in the years following....

[CollinMacD]

Great Scott LTD,

https://greatscotscotland.com/

Fine example of Scottish Clothing done in contemporary style with CLASS.

[Allan Thomson]

I could see how some of their range is appealing yes.....

[Tobus]

Surprised at some of the objections on this thread to some of the other aspects of 'modern' Scottish Culture.

OK I can't stand some of the stupid groups you see dressed in plaids and drumming in the streets, but what's wrong with some alternative interpretation and application of the pipes? For example excellent and clearly very skilled pipe bands like the Red Hot Chilli Pipers? OK maybe not everybodies cup of tea, but they do apply modern tunes to the pipes very well in my opinion?

I don't have any objections to musicians or artists doing what they do. But there's a difference between artistic expression in a performance setting and a regular person doing regular things. If a guy wants to dress like a numpty and play his bagpipes on the street, or wear a Darth Vader mask whilst riding a unicycle and playing bagpipes, I may laugh and think he's silly but still respect the artistry. If he wore that Darth Vader getup to church on Sunday, however, I think we would all agree it was inappropriate. There's a time and place for everything. That is part of the core of a civilised society, along with rule of law. The law dictates what we're not allowed to do, and etiquette guides what we should not do, even when it's perfectly legal. Breaking etiquette or manners is not, and should not, be a punishable offence. But it should at least have some social ramifications.

[Allan Thomson]

Well I understand your feelings, but I'm sure I'm not the only person with family history there & family names in those books, but I don't feel intended disrespect has really been shown?

So of those x markers who actually have someone or people in those books how many of you feel their memory has been disrespected?