Pipe Major John D. Burgess, MBE

[creagdhubh]

Greetings,

CMcG had asked me if I could post a photo (in his thread regarding buckled ghillie brogues) of the late Pipe Major John D. Burgess, MBE, wearing his trademark ghillie brogues with silver buckles and in this particular photo...black brogue laces instead of the typical red brogue laces he commonly wore whilst in his piper's uniform, or for Highland evening attire. The only photo of this I could find, in colour, is of him on the album cover of his CD release entitled, "John Burgess: The King of the Highland Pipers", which is quite small and difficult to see the black laces on his buckled ghillies, therefore, I shall not bother to post it.

However, upon visiting P/M Burgess' son's website, completely devoted to the remarkable life, career, and piping talent of his late father, I discovered a plethora of wonderful photos, some going all the way back to when P/M Burgess was a wee student piper under the guidance and teachings of the late (and great) P/M Willie Ross.

I have posted a few of the photos of P/M Burgess, in which you may easily discern, his superb taste and fashion sense in regards to his Highland attire - always very striking (check out his kilt hose in in the colour photos!), appropriate, and innovative, but never too far way from traditional, overall look of Highland civilian and (piper's) uniform dress. I have also posted the link to John D. Burgess Jr's website devoted to his late father. I hope you enjoy the photos.

http://www.pmjohndburgess.net/index.php






Beannach'd libh,

[Sheep In Wolf's Clothing]

If you check out the "Many a Gathering" gallery on the site you posted, you will find a pic of Mr. Burgess and his Red laces. It is the second last pic entitled "Donald MacDonald Quaich"
Thanks for posting the site,
Sara

[creagdhubh]

If you check out the "Many a Gathering" gallery on the site you posted, you will find a pic of Mr. Burgess and his Red laces. It is the second last pic entitled "Donald MacDonald Quaich"
Thanks for posting the site,
Sara

Aye, thanks Sara. Many members have already posted many of the photos of P/M Burgess wearing the red laces. I posted the above, mainly because there is indeed a photo of him wearing the buckled ghillie brogues with black, not red laces, which is what member, CMcG wanted to originally see. That particular photo is on an album cover of one of P/M Burgess' countless recordings - that is the only photo I know of where is wearing the buckled ghillie brogues with black laces - all the others appear to be red laces. No worries here, just thought I would post more interesting photos of the piping legend.

Cheers,

[CMcG]

Thanks both for the link and the pictures Kyle. John D. Burgess certainly had an impressive wardrobe of Highland attire, eh? I've never seen vertically stripped hose like his before!

And as for ghillie brogues, I like how he used regular length laces in your third picture. The cleaner look (without all the wrapping around the leg) is much more appealing to my eye.

Here is the one from the album cover of "John D. Burgess: King of Highland Pipers" that was mentioned.

[Downunder Kilt]

Thanks both for the link and the pictures Kyle. John D. Burgess certainly had an impressive wardrobe of Highland attire, eh? I've never seen vertically stripped hose like his before!

And as for ghillie brogues, I like how he used regular length laces in your third picture. The cleaner look (without all the wrapping around the leg) is much more appealing to my eye.


Here is the one from the album cover of "John D. Burgess: King of Highland Pipers" that was mentioned.

Also have to love those two sporrans he has in these photos. ( the goat hair formal and the brown with the silver cantle)

Sorry for the thread jack

[Matty Ross]

I love the fact he often wore the Ross Hunting tartan.

[artificer]

Also have to love those two sporrans he has in these photos. ( the goat hair formal and the brown with the silver cantle)

Sorry for the thread jack

No need to apologize (at least to me)! My jaw dropped when I saw the first sporran, and dropped again when I saw the second!

ith:

[OC Richard]

Here he is, one of the competitors at Oban in 1950 l-r John Findlay, Charles Scott, Willie Connell, PM Donald MacLean of Lewis, John Burgess, PM George Stoddart (father of Gavin), and an unknown PM:



And here he is in classic form! Look at those hose! The buckles on the ghillies! That sporran! That dirk! And what sort of jacket is that... it's not a Prince Charlie...

[creagdhubh]

Also have to love those two sporrans he has in these photos. ( the goat hair formal and the brown with the silver cantle)

Sorry for the thread jack

Kate Macpherson of Perthshire, makes sporrans like this - all goat hair, with silver cantle(s); one could also supply their own cantle to Kate, she'll take care of the rest!

[CMcG]

Here's an older one showing again his buckle ghillie brogues: