Bag-Pipes In Thistle Wreath - Pipe Major Silver On Scarlet Bullion wire-embroidered Musician, piper, drummer or bugler insignia.
The silver and gold marks on the Pipe Major's uniforms showed what rank and position he held. Whether it was silver or gold depended on a few things.
- The color of a badge showed the rank of a Bagpipe player.
- Gold showed a high rank.
- Silver showed an important rank, but not the highest.
Regiment-specific traditions
- Scottish regiments had their own traditions for insignia.
- Some regiments used gold for the chief piper and his aide.
- Other regiments used silver for the principal piper.
- They used gold for the auxiliary or other principal pipers.
- For example, some Highland regiments used gold to show a difference between leaders and other musicians.
Ceremonial and practical reasons
- Gold insignia were often worn at special events, such as parades.
- Silver insignia were more convenient for daily tasks.
- They still showed the rank, but were less conspicuous than gold.
