Originally Posted by
Azrobert
I had not seen this photo before, but guessing by the odd angles of his feet he was executing a very sharp turn and it was not merely a strong gust of wind.
Nope. He is a soldier in the Black Watch. The activity in which he is engaged is striking the colours. He is a member of a colour party, responsible for the ceremonial duty of putting up and taking down the colours. His feet are placed the same way the feet are placed in drill at present arms--one foot placed slightly in front of the other, the heel of the front foot placed in the swale of the back foot. It is a formal way of standing at attention when one makes a salute with a rifle. In this case, it is a ceremonial way of standing while handling the flag, so as to honor the flag. Not a turn, but a formal way of standing. Also, nothing else about the photo or his posture suggests the sharp movement you indicate. Hope that helps.
"Before two notes of the theme were played, Colin knew it was Patrick Mor MacCrimmon's 'Lament for the Children'...Sad seven times--ah, Patrick MacCrimmon of the seven dead sons....'It's a hard tune, that', said old Angus. Hard on the piper; hard on them all; hard on the world." Butcher's Broom, by Neil Gunn, 1994 Walker & Co, NY, p. 397-8.
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