soldiers or posers?

[OC Richard]

These two photos just came up on Ebay.

They're listed as being Scottish soldiers. What do you see?





The first thing that jumps out is that their Glengarries aren't of the Argylls pattern (while the sporran, kilt, and hosetops are). But there were so many territorial/volunteer/overseas battalions with uniform that didn't quite match that of the parent regiment that "wrong" Glengarries isn't in itself proof that these men aren't soldiers.

Then I note that both men are wearing their sporrans the same way, and not the way a Highland soldier would wear them, too high and going over the jacket, saying "see me?"

The thing that clinches it is the way the diced hosetops are being worn. No Highland soldier would put them on like that, with the dicing all ahoo. And where are their flashes?

Both photos are stamped Morrison's Studios/137 Leith St Edinburgh and 21 Promenade Portobello.

Yes I'm sure they're not Highland soldiers, but young men, perhaps English or American soldiers on leave, taking tourist "play dress-up" photos.