George Macdonald Fraser (author of the Flashman series) mentioned in one his autobiographical books that when he was in the Highlanders they were chosen to take the watch at Edinburgh Castle while the queen was in attendance.As he was Captain of the guard he was required to exit last after the troops had saluted the queen.He said at a most inoportune moment my leather belt strap broke + I immediately grabbed my kilt with my right hand or risk losing it in the presence of the queen.Now the real problem,how to salute the queen while my right hand was thus occupied?Simple,I saluted with my left,straight faced,did an about face + left the chambers.What a close call.