Trying to identify a possible Scottish military ancestor.

[Aileen Wilson]

Hello. I have a family photograph of a very distinguished looking member of my family, taken we think about 1903. He is in full kilted regalia which looks like it may be military, although to be fair I am not very sure so apologies if it is not! I have tried to zoom into the badge of his cap but can't get a clear look. There has also been a suggestion that he may have been in a regimental pipe band? I would be very grateful for any help with this.
Many thanks,
Aileen

[Andy J2022]

The jacket and the fact that he's wearing a white shirt and tie suggest to me that this civilian rather than military.

[Rockford]

Hello

With the tartan plaid over his shoulder, my guess would be that he is a member of a pipe band. The tartan tie suggests to me that if it is a pipe band, it's a civilian one rather than that of a military regiment.

Could you post the full photo to see if there are any other clues?

Do you know where he lived? Sometimes with a location it can be possible to narrow down the likely bands in the area at the time.

Best wishes

Rockford

[Neale1961]

His shoes are not military uniform.

[arthurk]

His belt(?) has a clasp with a crest on it. Maybe our heraldic experts might be able to comment on it.

[Aileen Wilson]

Thank you all for your input - as I said I was not sure he had been in the military but you have helped clarify that for me. I didn't have enough knowledge of insignia, belts, shoes etc to make any kind of educated guess. His name was James McLean Born 1865 in Stow (classed as Midlothian then but now Scottish Borders).

Any suggestions as to where I might direct my search now?

Many thanks again,
Aileen

[Rockford]

Hello again,

Thanks for confirming that he was from Stow.

This page suggests that there has been a Pipe Band in Stow for a very long time (although it seems to have been reformed in 1950) https://www.stow-borders.co.uk/clubs-soceities/stow-pipe-band/

If you have Facebook, there is also a page for the Stow Pipe Band itself. it could be worth contacting them to see if there is anyone who knows a bit of the history and whether James could be wearing the tartan and uniform that they have used in the past?  https://www.facebook.com/groups/598409936933413/?locale=en_GB

I can't see any obvious references to Stow Pipe Band in the historical papers on the British Newspaper Archive, but not all local newspapers are there. Might be worth contacting the library at Peebles to see if they have any resources or info about the pipe band that would help you compare your photo to any others they might hold.  https://www.liveborders.org.uk/culture/libraries/our-libraries/peebles-library/

Best wishes

Rockford

[GR2]

The 1871 census shows him at Crookston South Mains, Stow, with his family. Father = William McLean, a gamekeeper, native of Abernethy, Perthshire, Mother = Mary, from England. Oldest child born in Kingussie, Inverness-shire, the others all born in Stow.

The 1881 census shows him with his family at Bowland Lodge, Stow. His father is still working as a gamekeeper. James himself is a groom.

[Aileen Wilson]

Hello . . and thanks again for your input. I will definitely get in touch with Stow Pipe band and see if they have any records that may help.

My other slight problem with this is that he was indeed in Stow in 1871 and 1881 but so far I haven't been able to locate him in 1891 or 1901. He moved south and was in Witley, Surrey in 1911. He was a gamekeeper and I know that other male members of his family went back to Kingussie area as gamekeepers for a while, so he may have been there . . . and maybe a piper there too? Lots to investigate.

Thanks again,
Aileen