Various Photos of Interest

**creagdhubh** · 9th February 10, 06:09 PM

Originally Posted by Chas

So many interesting things in the pictures - Thanks for posting. It would have been nice to have some captions, so we know what was going on in each photo (hint, hint).

Just a few observations.

Obviously a piping competition; I didn't know that they were held indoors. I always thought that they held outdoors to stop any echo - we live and learn.

Picture two, love the double breasted waistcoat. Makes a really good change from the usual.

In all the pictures, the piper's use of brown leather rather than black. We get so used to seeing black leather that when someone wears brown it really lifts the whole outfit.

Any chance, creagdhubh, of a bit more information. Please.

Regards

Chas

You got it! Sorry! I posted those very fast earlier today! Often times I get so excited, want to post ideas, questions, pics, etc, then I'm off getting other things done! HA!

**creagdhubh** · 9th February 10, 06:14 PM

Originally Posted by Tobus

Those were the main things that I noticed too. Brown leather for the shoes and sporran really do make for a better daywear look than black. Both of these fellows look superb to me.

I agree! However I am more of a fan of plain brogues for daywear versus ghillie brogues. I just hate fussing with the laces and they wear and tear on your kilt hose if worn all the time-though I do still like them. Loake shoe company out of England makes excellent brogues in many different styles and colors and I swear by them! I own several all black ones, a full brogue, semi-brogue, half-brogue, etc. I am in the process of ordering the same style brogues yet in varying shades of brown polished leather. The shoes by Loake, should last you a lifetime if they are properly taken care of and are stored with shoe trees while not being worn. Loake also provides a refurbishing resoleing service for a nominal fee. Loake makes an excellent ghillie brogue in black leather as well! Much better quality soles and styling than the other ones you can buy on the market today-the ones you usually see with a thick sole and steel heel tip-I hate that!

www.loake.co.uk
http://www.pediwear.co.uk

**creagdhubh** · 9th February 10, 06:16 PM

Originally Posted by londonpiper

judging by the banner in the background they're taken in london. the first and fourth pics are pm Roger Huth; a stalwart of the south of england piping scene and a genuinely lovely man whose modesty is in direct proportion to his enormous piping talent. He plays for the Oxford university scottish dance soc when they drag themselves out of bed @ an unearthly hour on may day to start dancing in Radcliffe square @ 6 in the morning. The other piper is equally well known and talented but I'll let someone else tell that tale.

Quite correct indeed! P/M Walker is also quite the character whilst not piping! HA!

**OC Richard** · 10th February 10, 07:12 AM

Yes that Gordon Walker is not only a fantastic piper and very intertaining man, but also the sharpest dresser.

Here's a group of the world's top pipers dressed for a black-tie event in Glasgow.

You'll note that Gordon Walker is the only gent not wearing a Prince Charlie, and that also he has red laces and buckles on his ghillies, a feature shared by the late John Burgess. He also is sporting an interesting sporran.

By the way, note the interesting shoes on the man on the right in that Highlanders of Scotland painting. They're sort of halfway between ghillies and Mary Janes, as the former usually have four tongues for the laces, and the latter only a single strap over the instep. But this pair has two pairs of tongues/straps.

**creagdhubh** · 10th February 10, 05:45 PM

Originally Posted by OC Richard

Yes that Gordon Walker is not only a fantastic piper and very intertaining man, but also the sharpest dresser.

Here's a group of the world's top pipers dressed for a black-tie event in Glasgow.

You'll note that Gordon Walker is the only gent not wearing a Prince Charlie, and that also he has red laces and buckles on his ghillies, a feature shared by the late John Burgess. He also is sporting an interesting sporran.

By the way, note the interesting shoes on the man on the right in that Highlanders of Scotland painting. They're sort of halfway between ghillies and Mary Janes, as the former usually have four tongues for the laces, and the latter only a single strap over the instep. But this pair has two pairs of tongues/straps.

I have seen this photo before and Gordon looks absolutely awesome! He is one that I have always looked to for inspiration and guidance in my Highland attire. He wears the regulation doublet, as do I, yet I am working on getting a very nice silver pocket watch for evening attire (when wearing a waistcoat obviously), and a gold colored one for daywear with my tweed waistcoat(s). It appears that Gordon is wearing a 'weathered' form of a particular tartan. My next kilt will be the Macpherson weathered and I will no doubt have matching argyll hose-fully fashioned-to go with it, as I have always thought that the weathered hue of tartan would be an interesting contrast with the black and silver of Highland evening attire-just as Gordon proves rightfully so.