Parents passed away, going through old photos, this is a photo of my grandpa. I know he fought in world war 2 for the Canadian air force but he's from Scotland. Is his outfit special in regards to military or is it a traditional scottish outfit? His last name was Mackenzie if that means anything.
Also if someone can recognize that castle I'd love to know
Thanks brothers 🙂

by Deus-Dormit

24 comments

  1. Looks like Edinburgh castle but it’s on a canvas or something similar

  3. That is way more than normal highland dress. Kind of thing a regiment or pipe band would wear now.

  5. Castle looks like a watercolor of Edinburgh or Stirling. Tartan impossible to identify without color and that pin looks like something for a formal wedding or event – not military or clan specific.

  7. He’s dressed to kilt! As for the castle, it’s harder to identify than the Loch Ness Monster on a foggy day.

  8. The castle looks like a romanticised mix of Edinburgh, Stirling and a few others. As others have said, almost certainly a painted photographic background, so it’s probably not a real depiction of any one of them.

    The outfit appears to be some sort of formal military uniform – the large dirk by his side is something officers would carry. Same with the sword. But the socks and shoes don’t look like those that would be worn for eg. Gordon Highlanders dress uniform, so I’m not sure exactly which regiment it might be.

    It may be, like the background, it’s a little bit of a mix of items assembled for posing for a photo, though it almost looks a bit too well put together for that. Either way, your grandad wears it well!

  10. This is a pipe band uniform, specific only to the band in question (also not his size, a wee bit small for him). The painting might not be a real castle.

    Your grandfather got dressed up for a photo

  11. I’d agree on the tartan being dress Gordon by the pattern but it’s difficult to verify given the image is in black and white. I’d also agree that this is a romanticised image of Stirling or Edinburgh castle not the real thing.

    Looks like a military uniform (pipe band). Do you know if he was in a Scottish regiment/pipe band?

    Should be fairly easy to research.

    Good luck

  12. Your grandpa was clearly the Braveheart of family photos. Also, fun fact: wearing a kilt adds 10+ charisma and +20 resistance to uncomfortable trousers. As for the castle, it’s harder to ID, but it might just be Castle Photobomb in the realm of Old Timey Backdrops.

  13. The photo is taken in a photographers studio- the castle is a romanticised painted depiction on a canvas backdrop- there would be many in the studio to choose from along with a whole range of props for use in the photo sessions.

  15. Looking at this pic and the one in a link from another commenter. I’m going to go for a military dress uniform in Campbell of Argyle tartan taken at a portrait studio. If it was an Edinburgh based portrait photographer, then you’ll probably find the studio here: http://www.edinphoto.org.uk/P/photographers_1940_abc.htm

    Happy hunting! 

  16. Did your gramps make it back home safely (after it ended) OP?

  17. It looks similar to “Levee” dress for a Highland regiment, but there’s no identifying badges to see if it’s based on a specific regiment or just a generic uniform. The background definitely looks like something from a photographer’s studio, as others have stated it appears to be a generic castle based on bits of real castles.

  18. When you’ve got a Scottish festival at 6, but a kilt modeling gig at 7.

  19. Whether a canvas backdrop or taken at the site , I’d say there’s a good chance it was a shot of Edinburgh castle from St Cuthberts Kirkyard. The low wall behind very similar if you go into google images/maps and have a look round. Hard to picture in a lot of them as most of the trees wouldn’t have been there 75-100 years ago!

  20. Everyone is missing the point. OP has a hot grandpa

  21. Gramps was a fox, hot damn!

    Sorry haven’t got an answer to your question.

  24. Hard to tell, but if he has a quarter pounder under his kilt, then he is a McDonald

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