Traveller piper in Highland dress

Artist

Niles, Helen Beccard

Date

• 1991

Summary

• This Traveller piper is probably about to go off to compete in one or another Highland Games. He is dressed for the part, with coat, cap, belt, shoulder strap, sporran, and shoes, stockings, and lacings of the kind traditionally used by Highland pipers or in piping bands. His bow tent, which he uses for changing into formal dress, is shown behind him. Some Traveller men are known for their first-rate piping, and some have competed at Games in hopes of winning prizes that might come to a substantial amount. Line drawing based on an archival photo in the holdings of the Highland Folk Museum, Central Highlands, Scotland, probably dating from around 1950.