highland

Highland dress and the tartan are among the most powerful, romantic and dramatic of all the symbols of Scotland. It has been claimed that 'a man in a kilt is a man and a half', their really is something about the wearing of the kilt that confers extra stature on its owner. It is absolutely no coincidence that the kilted 51st Highland Division was rated by the Germans as the most formidable of all the formations they came across during the First World War. Certainly the British government had no doubts on the matter when, after the defeat of Bonnie Prince Charlie, they banned the use of Highland dress and the tartan, which they clearly saw as an incitement to further subversion. Offenders were killed or sent to the colonies. The form of Highland dress has always owed much to the army and it was the Highland regiments which kept the kilt and the tartan alive until at last, in 1782, their use was once more permitted. Before that time, Scots were only permitted to wear any Scottish wear, if they joined the British Armed Services. Source: theauldalliance.com/index.php?pagendx=141&p=a9#:~:tex....

Some historians believe that bagpipes originate from ancient Egypt and were brought to Scotland by invading Roman Legions. Others maintain that the instrument was brought over the water by the colonising Scots tribes from Ireland. Ancient Egypt does appear to have prior claim to the instrument however; from as early as 400 BC the ‘pipers of Thebes’ are reported to have been blowing pipes made from dog skin with chanters of bone. And several hundred years later, one of the most famous exponents of the pipes is said to have been the great Roman Emperor Nero, who may well have been piping rather than fiddling whilst Rome burned. Whilst historians can only speculate on the actual origins of the piob mhor, or great Highland bagpipe, it was the Highlanders themselves that developed the instrument to its current form, establishing it as their national musical instrument both in times of war and peace. In the Scottish Lowlands, pipers were part of the travelling minstrel class, performing at weddings, feasts and fairs throughout the Border country, playing song and dance music. Highland pipers on the other hand, appear to have been more strongly influenced by their Celtic background and occupied a high and honoured position. It is considered that by the 1700s the piper had started to replace the harpist as the prime Celtic musician of choice within the Clan system. Source: www.historic-uk.com/HistoryUK/HistoryofScotland/The-Piob-...

‘Garth House’ was a grand home set in large, expansive grounds. Wickham Terrace soon developed into a very fashionable address as it was built along a ridgeline that provided views of the City and the Brisbane River. Most of these large, grand homes (eg. ‘Innisfail’) have been demolished as business premises replaced residences along Wickham Terrace. This residence underwent a number of ownership changes. Munce sold the property to draper Alexander Stewart on 29 May 1871. Being a Scottish migrant, Stewart was renowned for having his coachman wear full highland dress while blowing his bagpipes, on special occasions designated by Stewart. Source: heritage.brisbane.qld.gov.au/heritage-places/1626#:~:text....

'The Gay Gordons' The Gordon Highlanders were a regiment in the British army, it existed for a little over a hundred years before being merged with the Queen’s Own Highlanders in 1994. The regiment gained distinction in many military campaigns throughout their history from North Africa, France and Italy all the way to Singapore, India and Burma. Perhaps the most famous story from the annals of Gordon Highlander history is the story of George Findlater, a junior piper in the regiment. During an assault in what today is Pakistan, Findlater was shot in both legs and stranded in the middle of the battlefield. In order to keep his regiment inspired, Findlater continued playing the pipes – The Haugh’s O’Cromdale apparently. Findlater was awarded the VC for gallantry and became something of a national hero. But let’s leave discussions of war for another day, we have dancing to talk about. Source; www.scotlandshop.com/us/tartanblog/unleash-your-inner-tar...