What's the story here?

[Tobus]

If we've discussed this before, I apologize.

I believe the image below is an 1852 portrait of the 79th Regiment of Foot (later to become 1st Battalion, Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders). I'm unaware of them being actively engaged in hostilities at this time, so I'm not sure what's going on in the scene. What I see, however, are tents in the background which indicate that they are deployed somewhere. I see men in what I assume is their marching/fighting gear, complete with packs. Plus a piper, a fellow in trews, and various other types of uniform. It appears to be a mixture of officers and enlisted. Is this just a painting to represent all the different bits of uniform and gear that the regiment wore, and not necessarily a scene from life?

The real subject of my question, however, is the man third from right. He seems to be wearing a long leather apron over his uniform, and is holding an axe down by his foot. I would hastily assume he was chopping firewood for their camp. But he's wearing it over his full gear, including his jacket and kilt (I see the pleats poking out behind him). And he's wearing his hat and white gloves too! Nobody, even in 1852, would chop wood wearing that stuff. He also has his belt strapped over the apron, with what appears to be the same small gear bag that others have behind them, but his is in front. Sorry, I don't know what that piece of gear is called.

So what in Heaven's name is the story with this painting, and especially that chap in the apron?