Tell newbie about kilt pins

[Jock Scot]

Reasons that come to mind include

1) the band members don't own the kilts, they're issued by the band, and many people are careless with other people's property.

2) some band members, including many teenagers, are careless and accident-prone in general.

3) most band members are new to Highland Dress and don't know how to take care of their kit.

The three things above result in things such as some band members, in between performances, throwing their entire uniform, wadded up in a ball, into a corner of their room or the back of a closet.

4) half of the band are drummers and drummers often "hook up" and "un-hook" the drums. Every time a drummer un-hooks a quite heavy cumbersome object with numerous pointy bits rapidly descends down the front of the person. Anything in the way- like a kilt pin- will get tugged earthward. What is stronger, the fabric of the kilt apron, or a rapidly descending 20-pound object?

5) the other half of the band are pipers and we often have to march, while playing, through crowded banquets etc. Our hands are busy playing the pipes and chairs and tables have to be shoved out of the way with our thighs, upon one of which is attached a kilt pin. What is stronger, the fabric of the kilt apron, or a seated adult?

I am not from the pipe band scene, but I am shocked and stunned by your comments! I quite understand how drums may catch on a kilt pin, but I am amazed at the carefree attitudes , that you describe so vividly, of band members. I cannot say if those attitudes are present with band members on this side of the Atlantic, I hope not! I rather thought more respect for the assorted equipment and attire that goes to make up a band was present.

I am going to show my admitted ignorance here, but it seems to me and from what you say above, that the band members as a whole-----with exceptions I am sure --------- fail to understand what the whole package of the meaning of belonging to a pipe band. What do they join for then? Just for the music? Just to play the instruments? To go on jaunts to other parts of the country? Is this rather irresponsible attitude universal? If their band and its attire is so unimportant and the fact that "someone" other than themselves appears to pay for most of it? And they appear to care so little about the "uniform"? Then why do they belong to a pipe band?

Do the band members pay for any of their attire?