His kilt and stockings are made of the tartan which shows the Clan to which he belongs. In the olden time, each one of the great families of Scotland banded itself together, with its followers, into a Clan for protection, and thus each Clan was really a little kingdom and army in itself. The piper's plaid, which is a sort of shawl, is pinned on his shoulder with a great silver brooch. But no such thing ever enters his head, for Scotch children from infancy are used to going about with bare knees, winter and summer alike. When the regiment makes a charge on the battlefield it is the piper who marches in front playing the national Scottish airs on his pipes.
Nothing inspires the men so much.
Our party viewed the Crown jewels of Scotland, not so many nor so magnificent as those of England, but more interesting, perhaps, for many of the pieces are much older. The little girls were much interested in the crown of Robert Bruce, who was one of the greatest of Scotch kings. Marjorie was of rather a romantic turn of mind. They saw the tiny room, not much larger than a cupboard, where Mary, Queen of Scots, lived, and where her son, James VI. of Scotland, was born. Later the two countries were called The United Kingdom of Great Britain, and thus they have remained ever since.