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Friday 4 January 2013

A Scottish Soldier - Sepia Saturday

It seemed appropriate to me when I saw this week's prompt showing Scottish soldiers to tie this in to New Year celebrations.


Back in the late 1950s it was common for people to see the New Year in by watching "The White Heather Club" on TV with Andy Stewart and Jimmy Shand and his band. One of the songs for which Andy Stewart became famous was this (here with the 1st Scots Dragoon Guards)


Of course Andy always wore a kilt during The White Heather Club. Many Scottish regiments are famous for their kilts. Their pipe and drum bands give displays all over the world.

The British Army's 21 member Pipe and Drum Corps  
1st Battalion Scots Guards (photo - J D Leopold)
Piping, drumming and highland sword dancing at the Pentagon - 2nd September 2009

One of the questions always asked is what does a Scotsman wear under his kilt.

Caricature of Scottish Soldiers wearing kilts on Continental Europe - c1815 
The ladies in the picture are trying apparently to find out. It's said that a true Scotsman wears nothing under his kilt.

That seems to be a cue for Andy Stewart and a kilt montage.


You can read all about The White Heather Club and about Andy Stewart here but don't let that prevent you from visiting our host at Sepia-Saturday-158

19 comments:

21 Wits said...

Good morning, Bob- I'm thinking Scottish Eggs sounds tasty too, to go along with Alan's photo prompt. I have to get mine together as well. I agree you posted a fine tribute- and video too! Great job.

Wendy said...

So, it was a bit of the "Ugly American" moment to realize that the whole world didn't see the New Year in with Dick Clark. Excellent post, Bob!

Kristin said...

Yikes! I see that is true, they don't wear anything under the kilt.

Barbara Rogers said...

I've always loved kilts, and you've 'covered' them well. Since I frequently wear skirts, I understand the lure of having nothing else underneath.

Mike Brubaker said...

I think every few years all the nations in the world should trade their New Year's Eve traditions and mix it up for variety. I'd sure watch kilts and bagpipes in New York's Time Square!

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Bob .. I think I probably watched Andy Stewart once or twice ... thanks for reminding me .. and I loved seeing the photos ... fun cartoon!

Happy New Year and Cheers Hilary

tony said...

Nothing underneath? Someone needs to invent thermal-kilts!..and fast!

ScotSue said...

I had a laugh at that 1815 cartoon - one I had not seen before.

Jo said...

Not a Scot, but I really enjoyed The Scottish Soldier and I have always loved the pipes although many don't. Thanks for that Bob.

Scotch Eggs, hmm, I love those, make them now and again although I miss good British sausage.

DougVernX said...

Quite the compilation of kilts Bob!

Alan Burnett said...

Oh I do remember those TV programmes. We would always go around to some friends on New Years Eve and it would always be on the television. Like all good Sepia Saturday posts, it re-awakens old memories.

Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy said...

I have never heard of those shows, but I have heard that the kilt wearers were bare under the skirt. A comfortable outfit for being in a celebration or parade, but I'm not sure how practical they would be during battle in the snowy winter.

Thanks for this post, Bob. I can't wait to check out the videos.

Kathy M.

Unknown said...

Well, Bob I suppose that is the parallel to the old Guy Lombardo and Auld Lang Syne here for years. Yes, have always wondered about those kilts when we see them in parades and at events. Love the bagpipes. Great post as usual.

Anonymous said...

I think I'll be singing that song in my sleep tonight....let the wind blow high and the wind blow low... lol that last video made me laugh!

Tattered and Lost said...

Oh that had to be so much better than the yearly Guy Lombardo midnight fest here in the US!

Bruno Laliberté said...

I watched Dick Clark when I was a kid. Then I partied and TV was the last thing on my mind. Now? I just go to bed after the fireworks nearby.

I wore a kilt for a while. Not a Scotsman, but I wore it in the "traditional" manner. Ah, the freedom!!! Just had to remember when sitting down, to push it down a bit...
Happy New Year!!
:)~
HUGZ

Kat Mortensen said...

@Bruno - TMI! Ha ha!

Bob, I only wish we'd had a pipe and drum and kilts program on over here. I would have loved that. We had Guy Lombardo, mind you.

Teresa Wilson Rogers said...

Love the cartoon and I'm sure many a woman has bent over to "pick" something up when a man in a kilt has walked by!

Cassmob (Pauleen) said...

Especially love the cartoon ;-)