Scottish Piper’s Uniform

The sight of a Highland Piper in his full outfit is sure to stir the blood of not only self-respecting Scots around the world but also people without a trace of Scottish blood running through their bodies.  There can be few more inspiring prospects than seeing, and hearing, a piper in full flow.

At Scottish Wedding Pipers we are proud, not only of the quality of the musical ability of our pipers, but also of their immaculate appearance at your functions.  It is quite common for the actual costume that the piper is wearing to be the source of considerable interest, so it is worth describing the regalia in some detail.

In actual fact, there are two dress codes which our pipers can follow – we call them 'Number One' dress or 'Number two', and the choice of what the piper wears is your's alone.

"Number One" Uniform:

Number One Dress is what we call the full ceremonial uniform, which is made up of the kilt, tunic, sporran (made of horse hair), spats and diced hose, full plaid with a Cairngorm brooch and a feather bonnet.  This is the ultimate eye-catcher which can always be guaranteed to create a spectacular impression.

Number Two Uniform:

The piper’s Number Two uniform, whilst also pleasing to the eye and full of interest, is a little less formal than the Number One and rather more contemporary.  The Number Two uniform has a kilt but this time is accompanied by an Argyll jacket, shirt and tie, ghillie brogues and a horsehair sporran. I realise that some of these terms might be a little meaningless to many non-Scottish readers, so here are a few definitions to help you build up your mental image of the respective uniforms.

Highland Dress:


The kilt is obviously the emblematic Scottish garment, worn in the tartan specific to the piper’s clan or band.   At the front of the kilt will be the horsehair sporran. A sporran comes in ordinary or military style and will usually have pouches in them, enabling the piper to carry personal possessions.  It has been known for pipers to keep ‘a wee dram’ of whisky in their sporran – but, needless to say, Scottish Wedding Pipers are far too professional to contemplate doing that!

A belt is normally worn around the waist of the kilt with an elaborate buckle at its front.  This buckle can often be extravagantly designed although most will now have the clan insignia or band motif upon it. The piper will wear knee high socks known as diced hose, of handmade, patterned Scottish wool.  Tucked into the top of the sock will be the famous Skean Dhus, the small knife, (or dirk, to the Scots), which will usually feature a ruby in the handle as well as clan or Celtic designs.  Often, flashes, in either the clan tartan or perhaps a plain colour, will be worn under the top of each sock and will provide an eye-catching contrast to the whiteness of the sock itself.

If the piper is in our alternative uniform and wearing Ghillie Brogues, (highland shoes), he will also wear buttoned spats, which are vividly bright - and need repainting after every use!

The feather bonnet worn is, nowadays, manufactured from imitation ostrich feathers which have been dyed black. Its height not only helps make the piper appear taller but, because the bonnet is hollow, it was also used to allow pipers to keep ‘a wee dram’.  The whisky, of course, was used simply to keep out the cold. The Piper’s Doublet, (not to be confused with goblet), is the name of the full ceremonial jacket.  They are, with their silver or golden embroidery, striking garments.

The plaid is a piece of tartan cloth which is worn across the shoulder and reaches down beneath the kilt.  The plaid is held in place with the Plaid Brooch, such as the one pictured here bearing the insignia of the Macnaughtons Vale of Atholl Pipe Band.

As you can appreciate, many of these elements have their symbolic significance in the cultural traditions of Scotland. Together, they combine to create a piper who, as well as performing in the stirring manner in which only a Scottish piper can, will make a lasting visual impression.