kilt height+tie length+button height+heaviness

[OC Richard]

Yes indeed traditionally those Argyll jackets were usually worn with vests/waistcoats, which do away with any issues of tie length and kilt height (as long as your kilt is high enough to not create an unsightly gap). Then the jacket can be left unbuttoned in the traditional way and there's no problems.

Thing is, it's often so darn hot here that it's bad enough wearing the jacket. When you're hired for a piping gig it's more or less expected that you wear jacket and tie- the clergy and any menfolk there in official capacities will be wearing coat and tie no matter how hot it is.

But yes I've been wearing a waistcoat more often recently. At our last Highland Games I ponied up the money and got a very nice Scottish-made black Barathea waistcoat to match my black Argyll jacket, and I must say I look much dressier wearing both vest and jacket.