SCOTTISH

REGIMEN·�S
AND UNIFORMS
1660-1914

A. H. Bowling

ALMARK
PUBLICATIONS

Corporal. Gordon Highlanders, 1900 .. Machine Gun Section, 1st Seaforths, 1899 �
Black Watch, 1780
 SCOTTISH
{
J

REGIMEN S
AND UNIFORMS

1660-1914

A. H. Bowling

ALMARK PUBLISHING co. LTD., LONDON

© 1971, Almark Publishing Co. Ltd.
Text, line drawings, and colour art © A. H. Bowling

All rights reserved. No parr of this

publication may be reproduced.
slOred in a retrieval system. or
transmitted by any means.
electronic. mechanical. or by photo
copying without prior permission
from the publishers.

First Edition-May 197 0

Second Edition-November 1971
(revised, expanded, new format)
Reprinted-December, 1972

ISBN 0 8552 4 0423 (hard cover edition)

ISBN 0 8552 4 0431 (paper covered edition)

By the same author:

BRITISH INFANTRY REGIMENTS. 1660-1914
INDIAN CAVALRY REGIMENTS. 1880-1914
THE FOOT GUARDS REGIMENTS. 1880-1914

Printed in Great Britain by

Vale Press Ltd., Mitcham, Surrey CR4 4HR
for the publishers, Almark Publishing Co. Ltd.
27 0 Burlington Road, New Maiden,
Surrey, KT3 4NL,
England.

2
Introduction

THIS book is i n tended to g ive the m i l ita ry un iform ent h u sias t as

comprehen sive a covera g e a s poss i b l e o f t h e developm ent o f u nifo r m
styles w i t hin t h e most fa mous S c ottis h r e g i me n t s i n t h e p e riod start i ng
at a bo u t 1 660 a nd running u p to 1914. I n that yea r. of cou rse. the
outbreak of t h e first world war b r o u ght an end to cent u r i e s of co l o u rf u l
m i l ita ry d ress. and-with a few e xceptions-regiments no l o n g e r wore
the full review order which wa s to be still seen at para d e s a n d g reat
o c c a sions right up to 1914. There a re 192 indiv i d u a l uniforms drawn
in this book. and 132 of the m a re shown in co l o u r. The rem a i n d e r are
s h own in half-tone only . b u t. neve rtheles s . a s a m p l e figure from ea c h
o f t h e h a lf-tone p l a t e s i s s hown i n co l o u r o n t h e ba c k cover a n d d e s­
cri ptio n s of t h e colo u r s a re g i ven wit h t h e ma i n text. Th e text g i ves
histori ca l d eta i l s fo r e a c h reg i ment wit h m e n t ion of the m a in pOi n t s shown
in the u n i form plates. E a c h u n iform drawing i s num bered ind i vid u a l l y and
a p prop ria te cros s-references to t h e d raw i ngs are m a de in the text. In
addition t o t h e ma i n u n i form i l l u s t ra t i o n s. n u m e ro u s line d rawings are
included which give back views. c lo se-up v i ew s of ind i v i dua l
items of equipment and dress, reg i menta l b a d ges. co l o u rs. a n d wea pons.
F i nally, a num b e r of pictures from conte mpora ry sources are included.
though t h e se are , of n e ce s s i ty. m a in l y con cern e d w i th t he l a tter p a rt
of the per i o d covered.
A p a rt from provid i n g a genera l i ntrod u ct i o n to the subje ct of the
S cott i s h regim e n t s for b e g i n ne rs. t h i s book sho uld a l so be of reference
va l ue to t h e s e r i o u s e nt h u si a s t and model so l d ie r c o l l e c tors . Th i s new
e d ition contain s a ll the p rev i o u s i l l u strations. two a d ditiona l p l ates in
c o l o u r, a n d s o m e 32 gro u p s of l ine d ra w i n g s to s h ow a l l deta i l a spects
of reg i m e nta l d ress in the period covere d . There are a l s o extra l ine a n d
h a l f-to n e p ict u r e s.
B a n d s m e n figu r e s a re not inc l u d e d in this book s i n c e it is p l anned
to cover band s sepa rately in a l a ter vo l u m e. F i na l l y. it m u st be sta t e d
t h a t m a ny of t h e regiments d e p icted i n this book have now b een m erged
o r d i sbanded. but t h i s does not, of cou r s e , affect the s u bject matter .
On l y weapons un i q ue to hig h l a n d r e g i m ents are shown in d eta i l i n t h i s
present vo l u m e; al l ot h e r standard person a l wea p o ns are i l l u strated in
t h e com p a nion boo k British Infantry Regiments, 1660-1914.

CONTENTS
Section Page Plate Sect i o n Page Plate
The Black Watch ...... 5 A Highland Light Infantry 39 G
The Royal Scots ...... 10 B R oyal SCOts Greys ... 44 M
Gordon Highlanders ... 13 C Scots Guards .. 47
KOSB . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . , . 18 0 Royal Scots Fusiliers 51 J
Argyll & Sutherland 26 E Cameronians 56 K
Cameron Highlanders 34 F Seaforth Highlanders 60 H

3
Infantry Campaign Equipment 1815. On the back a bla c k oil cloth covered
box-shaped kn aps ack . on top of this a rolled grey blanket: over the left
shoulder is the belt for the cartridge pouch worn on the right hip. ovel
the right shoulder the belts for the bayon et. ha versack an d blue water
canteen. All the belts were white ex c ep t for the water canteen which was
bro wn. The knapsack bore the regimental number in the middle.
S ergeams of gren a dier and ba {{al ion companies wore the haversack and
wa ter canteen o n the right h ip.

Field Service Dress and equipment for Highland regiments 1914. The
iackel, apron and spats w ere khaki, the kilt a n d stockings as in full dress.
the stockings and spats b eing changed later to plain scockings and Khaki
pu{{ees as In the right hand figure. The equipmem is the Web Infan try
Equipmem. P a ttern 1908: this cons i s t e d of a pack. haversack worn on left
hip. water bottle on right hip. a waistbell, t w o braces. cartridge carriers
and bayone t frog. With th i s equipmem provision was made for carrying
an emrenching to ol. In fighting order the pack was not carried, the water
boC/le was a ttached to the haversack which was carried on the back in
place of the pack. The rifle was the Short Magazine Lee Enfield.

4
The Black Watch
(Royal Highland
Re gim e nt )
(42nd and 73rd Foot)
Plate A, page 17
e
THE r gim ent was formed in 1739 from I nd ep e nde nt Companies raised
in 1 729 to k e e p the "Kings pea ce i n the Highlands". Orig i n al l y numbered

f
the 43rd Foot t h e n u mber was soon c ha nge d to the 4 2 nd.
The irst battle in which the regimen t to o k pa rt was Fontenoy. In the
French in America in 1756 the B l a ck Watch saw active
e
wa r aga inst t h e
service for s evera l
Louisburg, Ticonderoga a n d
b ra v ery shown by
years and

a ll ranks
a mo ngst

throughout
. the

this
m a ny

campaign
eng a ge m nts
Crown P oint So gre a t wa s the conspicuous
that the
were

King
conferred
R e g i m ent)
In 1 786
the
. title "Royal" on the regiment (42nd

the second battalion was made a separate regiment, numbered

R oya l H i g h l a nd

as the 73rd Perthshire Regiment. In 1 88 1 th i s regiment was linked to

the 42n d to become a g a in t h e 2nd Ba tta l i on B l ack Wa t c h . In the Flanders
campaign of 1 794-5 the B l a c k Wa t c h g a i ned t h e red h a c k l e now wor n
on the f e a t her bonnet.

T h r o u g ho ut its existence the regim e n t h a s always worn t he da rk ta rtar.

Colour sergeams with ehe 1se Battalion colours in 1895. Oueen's colours
on left. regimemal co lour on right.

5
The c y c li s t company of the Black Watch in aboul 1894 wearing a service
dress consisling of lhe scarlel doublet but with a glengarry cap. dark
blue breeches (Wilh red seam stripe) and dark blue pUllees. Note that
lhey wear no bells or Olher equipment.

w h ich h a s l o n g been a s s o c i a t e d w i th i ts name. F r o m t h e 1 7 8 0 s to the

en d of t h e C r i mea n War the c o a t e e s o f t h e B l a c k Watch w e r e of s i m i l a r
pattern to the line r e g i m e n ts o f i nfantry b u t b e c a u s e the d r e s s a p p o int­
m e n t s and w ea p ons were t h o s e of the h i gh l a n d s t h e regiment h a s a l ways
had the ch a r a cte r i stic appea r a n c e of a hig hland r e g i ment.
Th e reg imenta l cap b a d g e shows St Andrew ho l d i n g h i s Cro ss, and
t h e motto " Ne m o me impune l a ces s i t" (No one a ttacks me w i t h impunity).
T h e S p h inx i s an h ono ur granted f o r s e rv i ce i n Egypt .
Of sp e cia l inte rest are t h e weapons of t h e h i g h l and regiments. F i g s A 1,
2 and 3 s h o w the highl a nd p i st o l s w i th the ra mshead t y p e butt, and t h e
dirk wh i c h devel oped into hig h l y o rnamented wea p o n s . A kn i fe a nd f o r k
were carr i e d i n the s c a b bard of t h e d irk, t h e h a n d l e s of these ma t c hi n g
the dirk . T h e sma l l skea n d h u wo rn in t h e s t o ck ing top w a s introduced
at a l a ter d a te, but of g rea t e r interest i s t h e ba s ket h ilted b roadsword.

The 2nd Ballalion in service dress. Soulh A frica. 1899. This was known
officia lly as 'Foreign Service Uniform'.
Dismounted and mounte d officers 7745-7748. The dismou n t e d officer is
ba s ed on a pa mring of J 747 and shows the uniform of L o udon ' s High­
landers, raised 7745, disbanded 7748. The clothing was sim ilar 10 the
Black Watch with red coat and buff facings, red waistcoat and gold lace,
rhe tartan similar ro Black W a tch with a red o verstr ip e . The m o unte d
officer is taken from a contemporary German pr in t and probably repre­
sents Loud on ' s Highlanders. He wears tarran trousers and high black
riding boots; the holster caps and housings would be buff edged gold.

BELOW: (1) Officer's doubler of scarlet cloth with blue collar and cuffs.
The col la r and cuffs w e re edged with i in. go ld lace plus three loops 01
gold b raid on each cuff and skm flap . The front. collar . skirts and flaps
were edged in w hite . Twisted gold shoulder cords were worn. and buttons
were gilt . The Seaforths, Gordons and Argyll and Suth erlands had white
piping on the tOP edge of the gauntlet cuff but rh e pauern was otherwise
similar. (2) A Regimental Colour of the 7840s; at this period the colours
were 6 It. 6 in. wide and 6 ft . deep on the pike, with no fringe. The fringe
was introduced in J 858 when the colours were ordered to be 4 ft. by
3 It. 6 in.; rhis was again reduced
in 7868 ro 3 ft. 9 in. by 3 ft.
(exclusive of fringe). The colour
shown was dark blue with the
Union lOp left, a blue garter with
gold border and leuering, the 2
c e n tre red with gold cypher and
numeral, and crown in full colours
with roses red. thistles pink.
leaves green. S crolls were gold.
the Sphinx was silver. and tassel

\�
a nd pike head gold. (3) Officers'
sporra n c. 7803-7870. of white
fur wi th gold tassels. the tOP plate
being red with gilt bo rder and
design . H-------=
�
3
/
Black Watch, volunteer units. Firs! figure. Officer of rhe 10!h For far Rifle
Volunteers 1862-1880. Uniform is blue glengarry wieh d iced b orde r, red
doub/ee with blu e collar and c uff s . white plpmg. s il ver lace and bUllons.
Black Watch kile and plaid. Whiee hair sporran with two black tails. black
and red stock ings. whiee spats. sil ver mounted dirk, white cro ss belt wieh
sil ver pla!e. sword in seeel scabbard. Raised in Dundee in 1860. in 1861
atrached to the 1 St Forfarshlfe Rifle Volunteers, alter v arious title and
uniform changes became pan of the 5th Battalion, Royal Highlanders in
1908. The second figure is a pr i va t e of the 18!h Perth Rifle Volunteers
1868-1878. Uniform is blue shako with diced border, white over red ball
cuft. Dark grey doubler wirh scarlet collar and cuffs. black braid, brass
bUllons on pockee flaps, trews of Atholl (Murray) rarran. black be/rs. The
18th Perth were raised in 1863 and Wilh olher corps it fo r med lhe 1 se
Administraeion Ballalion. P e r thshire Rifle Volunteers, which evencually
became the 4lh Volunteer Baual,on, The Slack Watch in 1887. The rhird
figure shows the last uniform worn by ehe 4lh V o lun teer Sallalion, The
Slack Walch, lhe kill being mlfoduced in 1901. A blue glengarry. red
doublet with blue collar and cuffs, white piping. white metal bUl1ons.
Sporran while hair wirh five black tassels, red and black diced stockings.
whire spars. In 1908 rhis unit became the 6th Sat lalion . Royal High­
landers. The fourth figure shows an officer of lhe 2nd P enhshire Rifle
Volunteers in rhe uniform worn from 1883 to 1908, a blue glengarry with
blackcock's tail, dark grey doublel with red collar and cuffs. red piping.
Silver lace on collar and cuffs, black bellS. s ilve r butlons and appoml­
ments. Black Walch tartan, sporran silver mounted with while hair and
IWO black tails. red and black diced slOckmgs, while spals. This uni!
became lhe 8rh Bal1alion. Royal Highlanders in 1908.

BELO W: Ballalion pioneers in marching order. about 1893. The men are
wearing the standard Slade- Wallace equipment.

8
The Royal Highland Emigrants. This twO barralion regiment was raised
in 1 775, the first battalion in Canada and Nova Scotia and the second in
Carolina. In 1779 the reg im e nt was placed on t he Establishment of the
Regular army and given the number 84th Regiment of Foot. The clolhing
and arms were reported to be the same as the Black Watch. red coats
with blue facings, gold lacl:1 for officers. The regiment was disbanded
in 1784.

ABOVE LEFT: An officer of 1739 at the time the regiment was firsl raised
from independent companies. Colours are exactly as shown for the ser­
geant of 1 739 in Fig AI (page 17). Clearly visible is the highland
pistol carried on the left breast from a sl ing round the right shoulder.
ABOVE RIGHT: An officer in 1825; colours are as for t h e 1 830 officer
shown in Fig AB (page 17) though the g old lace is much more
elaborate and the collar is dark blue and braided.

9
The Royal Scots
(Lothian Regiment)
(1st Foot)
Plate B, page 20
TH E R oy a l S co t s c l aim the distinction of being the oldest regiment in
the Brit i s h Army . B ef o re 1662, when it was con s t i tuted as a re g imen t of
the Br i ti sh Army, it had se rved a s an organised mi l itary body in Europe
being l ed by the famous John Hepburn. The batt l e honours of the
regiment s h ow service all over t h e wo rld , the f i rst honours be i n g f o r
the f a mo u s ba tt l e s o f M a r l boro u g h' s c am pa i gns , "Blenheim", " R a mi l les ",
" O u dena rde" and " M alpla quet". Next there is "Louisburg" gained under
General Wolfe in Ame r i ca in 1758.
The dress of the regiment h a d up ti l l 1881 f o l l owed the pa t tern of
the normal l ine inf a n t ry w i th th e dark b l ue facings and gol d lace f or
officers as a Royal reg iment . T h e S t a t e P a pers g i ve t h e u n i f orm as red
and wh i te in 1667. The dre s s s h own i n figures B 1 and B2 is tha t worn
before becoming " T h e Royal R e g iment of Foot " in 1684. The grenadiers
of i n fantry regiments were a l l picked men and wore the spec i a l head­
dress to d enote their posi t i on . Fig B4 show s the m i tr e cap of the
grenadier company, the cen t ra l device be ing "the King's Cypher, within
the c i rc l e of St An d rew and Crown ove r it". Below on the red f l a p is
the White Horse of Hanover. Fig B5 shows the bearskin c a p worn by
g re n a d ie rs between 1768-1802.
Under the reorganisation of the Army in 1881 t h e R o ya l S cots were
granted t h e Scott i sh dress but with trews instea d of the kilt, the trews
being of Sutherland tarta n , as in f i g ures B 1 1, B 12. The change to Hunting
S tewart ta rtan wa s ma d e in 1901. In 1903 the reg iment a d opted the
Kilmarnock bonnet as t h e i r h ead - d re ss as shown in Figs B13 to 16. On
the men's dou b l ets the shoulder straps were red up to 191 3 when
they were ch ang ed to blue.

RIGHT: The Slade-Wallace

equipmenc of 1889-1904. This
was worn during the Sudan.
Tirah Expedition. and Boer
War. The straps and pouches
were white with brass fillings.
The black valise wa s worn
high on the shoulders, with
beneath lhis a mess-tin in
waterproof cover and at the
waist a lolled greatcoat. The
haversack was worn on the left
hip and the water bOllle on
the right. A f rog suspended
from the waiscbelc cou l d be
filled so lhat an entrenching
spade could be carried.

10
The Roval Scots, 1896. Officer and private in marching order. the officer
on the right is wearing the scarlet doublec wl£h blu e collar and cuffs.
white piping and gold la ce . crimson sash over left shoulder and white
sword belt round waist. The pri va c e is wearing the undress jacket. red
with blue collar and whice piping on the lower edge of colla r and on cuffs.
The equipment worn by the private is the Slade Wal/ace. che suaps being
white. Th e black valise is carried at the shoulders: below this the mess
(in and rolled greatcoat. The helmet was white with gilt or brass fiuings.
Trews of Black Watch tartan were worn from 7887 to 7907 when the
change to Hunting Stewar( took place. Black gaiters were worn by both
officers and other ranks.

Group of officers of the 3rd Ballalion. Royal SCOts. at the mobilisation

for Souch Africa in 7899. They are in undress uniform.

11
The Roval Scots, volunteer units. The first figure shows a private of rhe
2nd Highland Co mpa ny . Queen's Rifle Volunteer B riga de, 1862. Uniform
is blue glengarry. dark grey do uble r with black bra id and piping. brass
buttons on p o c ket flaps and cuffs. B lack Watch tartan kilt. b lack and
gre en stockings, black boots. a goat sk in sporran with twO grey horse
hair tails. black belts with white meral badge and clasp. black rifle sl ing .
The se co n d figure is a Field Officer of the Queen's Rifle Volunteer B r igade
in 1907. The uniform was a ll dark grey wich black lace and cords. black
b us b y plume. belts. boots, gloves. sword slings and knot all black. silver
badges on head-dress and pouch belts. Sword is in a steel scabbard. The
uniform of the Highland companies was last wo rn in 1879 when they
were clothed the same as the rest of the brigade. O rigin ally the 1 st and
2nd City of Edinburgh Rifle Volunteer Corps, they received {he title
"Queen's" in 1865, becoming the Queen's Rifle V olun t eer Brigade. The
Royal Scots, in 1888 and the 4th and 5rh B atta lio ns The Royal SCOts in
1908. The third figure is a orivate of the 9th V o l unte er Battalion (High­
landers) Royal SCOts 1900-1908. Unifo rm is blue glengarry wirh red, b l u e
and white dicing and red tourrie. scarlet doublet with blue collar and
cuffs, white pipin g. white metal badges and bu1tons, Hunting Stewart
tartan kil ts, sporran of white horse hair with two black tails, red and
black hose, whi te spats and equipment, Raised in Edinburgh in 1900,
becoming the 9th Battalion, Royal SCOtS in 1908 on conversion of Volun·
teer Force into the Territorial Army, The fourth figure, a private, 8th
(Scottish) Volunteer Battalion. The Kil')g's (Liverpool Regiment), Raised
in Liverpool in 1900, becoming the 10th Battalion, The King's (Liverpool
Regiment) in 1908, Uniform is blue glengarry with red, bl ue and white
border, and blackcock's tail , Khaki drab doublet with re d piping and white
metal buttons, red collar and cuff s , Forbes tartan ki lt, grey sporran with
two black tails, red and b lac k diced stockings, drab spats, b elts and
equipment brown leather,

RIGHT: Regimental Colour of 1751,

For the Royal SCOts Ihis colour was

�
dark blue wilh the Union in Ihe lOP
left hand corner. The centre circle
green wilh motto and b orders yellow.
Within the circle on a dark blue
ground is the Royal Cypher in gold,
Benea lh Ihis is a plain while scroll.
The crowns and thistles are in
" p rope r " colours. The flaming ray of
gold (pilewavy) was the distinction
I I
of Ihe 2nd B a 1 ta l ion , FAR RIGHT:
Grenadier Cap 1751, i k: �!
12
The Gordon Highlanders
(75th and 92nd Foot)
Plate c, page 21

RAISED in 1788 the 75th w e re soon on ser v i c e in India, remaining

there until 1804. For their ga l l a ntry at Seringapatam in 1799 K i n g George
III g r ant e d t h e re g ime n t pe r m i ssion to wea r on t h e i r a p p o i n tments " T h e
Royal Tiger". The second battalion was raised a s t h e 100th Foot i n 1794,
be coming the 9 2 n d i n 1798.
T h e h istory of t h e regi me n t covers many camp a i g n s a n d the c o l o urs
bear many honours gained in all pa rts of the world . Besides the Indian
campa igns, the reg ime nt served t h ro u g ho u t the Napoleonic War s in the
Pen insular, and on the ret u rn of Na p o l eon they were at t h e fina I b a t t l e
of W at e r l o o . Also in t he Kaff i r War, S outh A f ric a , the Crimean War
and Ind i an Mutiny, the Go r don Highlanders have wo n many awards.
The badge of the regiment is a "Stag's Head above a d u ca l co ronet
within a wr eat h of ivy". The stag's head and co ro net were from the
crest of t h e M a rquis of H u nt l e y , the ivy b e i n g a badge of the Gordon
family. The motto is "Bydand" ( Stand fast ) . T h e tartan, now called
Gordon, is t h e u n i ve rsa l tartan with a yellow overstripe. The dress of
the reg i ment at t h e Wa te rl oo period is shown in Figs C3 to C7, the
off i c e r , C3, wea r i ng his lapels buttoned across so t h at on l y a s mal l p a rt
of the facings and sil ve r lace show. On campaign it was norma l for
offi cers to wear trousers.
Fig C4 shows a sergea n t of a battalion company. T h e sergeants of
t h e grenadier and l i g h t compa n i es wore the ra nk chevrons on both a r m s.
T h e th ree rem a i n i n g f i g u res f o r th i s period show the d iffe rence between
the g re n adie r , ba ttal ion , a n d l i g h t compa n i e s. Of special interest is F ig
C13 s howi n g t h e i n f antry pattern sword worn by the fie l d officers and
adjutants of h ighl a nd regiments. Other officers wore t he broadsword.

Officer's fe a the r bonnet as worn between 7875 and

1914. The feather bonnet developed from the early
highland head-dress which bore a few IUfts of
feathers or black bearskin. The bonnet illustrated
was made of ostrich fea the rs with a diced border
of regimental pacrern. The vullUre plume was red
for the Black Watch and white in other regiments.
The Black Watch bonnet had four tails. the Seaforth.
Gordon and Cameron five. and the A rgyll and
Sutherland six.

13
S ergean ts and private, Gordon Highlanders in 1885. The first figure shows
a private wearing the valise equipment. The valise was worn low on the
back with the oils kin covered mess tin above; the water bottle worn on
the right hip. the haversack on the left. The central figures show a
sergeant in guard orde r . he is wearing full dress w i th a white p ouch on
t h e waist belt. the sergeant in marching order ha s the same equipment as
the priva te but is wearing the glengarry; his crimson sash is worn ben eath
the haversack scrap. The end figure shows a sergeant in full marchin g
order with feather bonnet. the rifle is the Ma rtini-Henry with sword
b a y o n ets for serge ant s and scraight bayonets for l o wer ranks.

Officers of the Gordon Highlanders, 1904. The two figu res on the left are a
Major and a L ie utenan t Colonel; both are wearing the khaki service dress
jacke t with the badge s of rank worn on the cuffs ; this system. introduced
in 1904 was in use until 1920. With this dress the Sam Browne belt was
worn. che sword in a bro wn leacher scabbard. The dark blue g lengarr y had

14
a diced band, red tourrie and black streamers. Brown gloves, tartan
breeches, brown Stohwasser gaiters and brown boo ts . The th i rd officer
is wea ring the red drill jacket. For the Gordon Highlanders the collar a nd
cuffs were y ellow , gold cord sho u lde r straps, gilt buttons and wh ite
piping, the fourth officer is wearing the plain all white jacket as described
in the D ress Regulations, 1904, The rest of the dress for both officers is
the same-glengarry, crimson sash, white sword belt. sporran of white
hair with black tassels, red and black diced stockings, white gaiters.

BELOW. LEFT: Sergeant and

private of the 92nd in 1845,
For colours of private see
Fig ell. Sergeant is wear­
ing white drill jacket, Sash
was cr imson with yellow
centre and rank chevrons
were red, edged in yellow.
LEFT: O ffic e r 's belt plate
1800-1816, in silver with
the device in relief and t itle
engraved, FAR LEFT: Regi-
mental badge, 1914.

15
Moun ted In f a ntry . Durin g the 1870s mounted infantry detachments were
imroduced imo the British Army; 1he m oun ted figure shows a private of
the Gordon Highlanders wea ring the home service dress . a blue gloogarry
with diced border. white she ll iacket with white wais1 belt. khaki
breeches. dark blue puuees, black boots, brown leather bandolier. The
rifle is t he Lee-Metford. The horse furnit u re is of the regulation cavalry
pattern. brown With white collar rope. The twO dismoumed figures show
an officer and private of the 2nd Bat ta lion Royal ScOts 1895, wh en serving
in Burma. The tunic and breeches were kha ki drill with blue puuees and
black bo01s for the private and black B utcher bo01s for the officer: spurs
were not worn. The priv a t e 's waist belt was white and t h e bandolier of
brown leather. 1he rifle be ing the Lee-Metford . 303, The officer wore 1he
Sam B row ne belt with sword in leather scabbard. the s tra ight guard as
worn in undress was used on the sword. The mounts u s ed were Burmese
ponies,

Officers of the 2nd Battalion in 1900. For colours see C13 (page 21).
Note the in f amry pattern sword carried by the Adiutanr on right.

16
 7

Plate A, The Black Watch

1. Sergeant, 1739. 2. Officer, 1745. 3. Private, 1740. 4. Private, 1742. 5. Officer,
1780. 6. Officer, 1808. 7. Private, 1812. 8. Officer, 1830. 9. Private, 1845. 10.
Private, 1856. 11. Officer, 1914. 12. Sergeant, 1914. 13. Private, 1914. 14. Officer
(Levee Dress), 1914.

The London Scottish

lFor description see page 28)

17
King's Own Scottish","",,\J�'
Borderers
(25th Foot)
Plate D, page 24

THIS famous Scottish regiment dates from 1689, being raised in

Ed inbu rgh on March 19 of that year, it is said to have recruited up to
1,000 men in fo ur hours. Within a few months of being raised it took
part in the celebrated action at the Pass of Killiecrankie. In 1695 it
was at the seige of Namur and lost no less than 20 officers and 500

men by the explosion of o ne of the enemy mines. The regiment was

constantly on service in Europe, and at Gibraltar in 1732 it successfully
outlasted a four months ' seige by a Sp a n is h force of 20,000 men. One
battle honour "Minden" proves the great valour of the regiment. Prince
Ferdinand of Brunswick who commanded the Allied army said on
revisiting the site years afterwards, "It was here that the British Army
gained immortal g lory . "
In 1793 the regiment was transferred to the sea service to act as
Marines and took part in Lord Howe's victory over the French on June
1, 1794. During the 19th century service in Holland, Africa, Canada,
Afghanistan, Ind ia and South Africa brou g h t more honours to the regiment
The d ress had up till 1881 been that of a line regiment, always a red
coat with yellow facings changed to blue after 1805 when the regiment
received the title of The King's Own Borderers. From 1881 the Scottish
doublet has been worn with tartan trews. At first the trews were of
Universal tartan which was changed for the Leslie tartan in 189 8 .
The red waistcoat and yellow breeches o f the officer i n Fig D2 are
shown in a series of contemporary paintings as is the Iight infantry
head-dress shown in Figs D6 and D7. The shako shown in Fig D8
was worn from 1800-12 and that in Fig D9 from 1812-1816. The light
company man of 1842, Fig D 10, w e a r s the shako of 1829-1842; the
ball on this shako replaced the plume in 1835.

Orficer's head-dress. Of/en re·

ferred 10 as the 'Waterloc
Shako'. rhis head·dress was
worn between 7872 and 1876.
It was black wilh a black bind·
ing. The plale was gilt for offl'
cers and brass for other ranks.
[he cOlds a nd lassels for officers
being gold imertwmed wilh
Cl imson: for other ranks of while
worsted. with the plume red and
while for line infamry. ThE
cockade was black wilh a 9ill or
brass butlOn in the cenue.

18
A B O VE .' O ffi c e rs [h e 3 rd B a rca l i o n , K i n g ' s O VI n S c o ui s h B o rdere rs ,
of
S o u [h A frica, J 900, v/ e a r i n g Ihe s la n da rd kha k i F o reign Service Uniform
w i rh p u r cees a n d le a lh e r b e lls. T h is w a s a m ililia ( v olum e e r ) b a l la l ion
m o b i lised for lhe S outh A f n ca n Wa r, No dis tinguishing de v ic e is a pparem
on l h is uniform o th e r Ihan 1he regim ema l b U110nS.

The 25th F oot ( K i n g 's Own Scott ish B o rd erers ) , The 2 5 1h w a s s la l ioned
in lVi in o rca from J 7 69 10 J 7 7 5 a n d t h e figures sh o w I W O priva les, a
Sergea m lVia j o r a n d a s ergea m in Ihe clo lhing w o rn I h e re. T h e fi rsl fig u r e
I S Iha t o f a p r i v a l e w ea ring a bla c k fur cap. while coat. wa islcoal and
b reeches. l h e ja c k e t c o lla r. cuffs a n d s h o u l d e r pa l c h e s b e i n g re d edged
with Ihe regim ema f fa ce. while wilh b l u e , y e l l o w a n d red sUlpes. The
second priva te in ma rching o rd e r is ca r r y i n g his rofled b fa n k e l o v e r Ih e
righl sh o u lder a n d has a goa t s k i n knapsa c k . T l] e c oa l h a s b e e n sh o n e n e d
[ continued on page 22]

19
 Plate B , The Royal Scots

1 M u sketeer 1 684 7 P r i vat e 1 7 9 5 13 O ff i c e r 1 9 1 4

2 G re n a d i e r 1 63 4 8 O ff i c e r 1 800 14 Sergeant 1 9 1 4
3 Private 1 742 9 O ffi c e r 1 8 2 6 1 5 C o rpora l 1 9 1 4
4 G r e n a d i er 1 7 5 1 10 O ffi c e r 1 8 30 1 6 P rivate 1 9 1 4
5 G re n a d i e r 1 7 68 1 1 O ff icer 1 8 9 6
6 O ff i c e r 1 7 9 5 12 P r i vat e 1 89 6

20
 P late C, G ordon H i g h l anders

1 Sergeant 1 798 8 O ffi c e r 1 8 3 1 13 A d j u t a n t 1 9 00

2 P r i vate 1 7 9 8
3 O ff i c e r , Bn C o y 1 8 1 5
4 S e r g e a n t , Bn C o y 1 8 1 5
5 P r i v a t e, G d r C o y 1 8 1 5
6 P r i va t e , Bn C o y 1 8 1 5
7 P rivate, Light Coy 1 8 1 5
9 O ff i c e r 1 8 4 7 1 4
1 0 C o r po r a l 1 8 47
1 1 P r i v at e 1 8 4 7 1 5
1 2 S e r g e a n t 1 8 47
1 1 -1 2 a l l 92nd Foot} 16
O ffi c e r
( 2 n d V o l Bn) 1 9 0 5
P r i va t e
1 3 r d V o l B n ) 1 90 B
P r i vate 1 8 9 7

21
I cont i n u e d from peg" 191
in rh e fash IOn v/ o m b y Ilqhl C Olll fJa m e s T he I h ud fig ure, Ihe S erqca n !
M a j o r in pa ra d e dress. h a s a black ha r edg ed wirh si/tier la c e , sca rier
coal w i rh y e l l o w c ol la r a n d cuffs, a scarlel sla sh on cuffs. w h ite (Urnhacks,
a ll la ce s ilv er . v/hile wa i s t c o a l a n d breeches. The l o u n h fig ure is a
o ergeam in f u l l d re ss , black h a l la ced S i l ver. y ellow colla r, c u ff s a n d ru m
backs on h is sca rier c o a l . a ll la ce w h ile, sca rlel w a isl c o a r , huff b rceches
a n d c rimson a n d yello w s a s h .

Four o ffi c e rs ( c e m re ) and the s e rq e a m s a n d wa rra m o ffi c e r s o f the 1 S I

B a ua lion K in g ' s O wn S c o t t ish B o rderers i n 1 89 9 . 7 h e offi c e rs a re wea ring
Ih e ' un dress ' pa lro l la c k e r w ilh frogged from a n d in da rk b l u e . The
s erg e a ms are i n th e doublel a s s h o vm in c o l o u r ( C I 2 ) btl l are w ea f l o g
g l e n ga rries or service c a p s ( wa rram o ffi c e rs ) . N O l e tha t t h e P ip e M a l a r
( e x t r e m e l e h ) w ea rs h igh la n d dress bur I h e O rum M R l o r ( c en t r e ) a n d
B a n d S e rgea n t ( fr o m ) wear Ihe n o rm a l reg im e n t a l dress. A ls o o f im e r e s t
is the b ea rded Pioneer S ergea n r ( s econ d lelr, cen u e ro w ) . A ll a re Vl eR r ·
ing lTews in Ihe then n e w ly in t r o d u c e d Les l i e ta rta n , as sh o w n in 0 1 6.

R I G H T: A R ecruiring S e rgea n r of I h e K m g ' s O wn S c o t ­

lish B o rde rers in a b o u t 1 8 9 6. A pa r t Irom t h e b a dge
a n d la ck o f a ca rtridge pouch o n h is b e l t he is ide n t i ­
cally dressed to the C o l o u r S e rpea n t s h o w n in c o l o u r
in F i g 0 1 2 . B EL O W : C o l o u r S ergea n ( s b a dge ( F ig
0 1 2 ) . This pa ltern , in troduced in 1 868, repla c e d t h e
pa ue rn o f a s i n g l e b R r c h e vr o n a n d c o l o u r ba dge.
Highla n d and L ighl I n fa n try re gimems w o re Ihis ba dge
on both arms, other in la n tr y on th e right a rm wilh the
rhre e ·ba r ch evron on t h e lell. From A p ril 1 88 1 all
N C O s ' ba dges w e r e w o rn on t h e righl a rm on l y .

�
'�
� r _&

'" -
flD

22
�
)
)
,1

The F irSl fig ure. p r i v a l e .

K i n g 's O w n S c o t t i s h B o r d e r e r s , V o l u nt e e r u n i t s .
2nd R o x b u rgh R ifle Volumeers. 1 8 60. Uniform all lighl grey Vl ilh red
c o l la r 1 0 tunic, b l a c k p ip in g, w h i l e m ela l b U /lons. w i d e b la c k slripe on
t r o u s e rs. b elt and p o u c h brown lea lher, rifle s l in g bla ck, cap badge 5 t
A n d r e w on a r e d ground. Form e d i n 1 8 60. g roup ed w i l h o t h e r c o m pa n ies
in 1 8 6 1 1 0 b e c o m e 1he 1 S I A dminis lra li ve B a l1a l i o n . R ox b u rghsh ire R i fle
Volum eers. In 1 88 7 uan sferred 1 0 I h e 2 5 1h ( K O S B ) R egim ema l D i s [fic1.
b ecoming 4 th B a l/alion KOSB in 1 9 08. The second fig ure s h o lV s a
private of the 1 SI Selk irk R ifle Volun teers. 1 860. Uniform is ligh t g r e y
cap wilh b la c k band, red p i p i n g 1 0 lOp rim o f cap a n d bla ck ban d. l i g h l
g r e y tun ic wilh red c olla r a n d red A us trian K n o t on s l e e v e s . all b ra id and
piping b l a c k . Tro users light g r e y w i[h [ W O b l a c k stripes s h o w in g a lighl
o f r e d b e t w een . b r o wn bells and equipmelJl. bla ck rifle s l ing . Formed in
1 R60. joined lhe 1 S I A dminisua l i v e Ba tla lion in 1 8 62 and in 1 908 the
4 1 h S a l lall on K O SB. T h e lhird figure is a priva te, 2nd V o l u n t e e r B a tlalion .
K O S S , 1 9 00 · 1 908. Uniform is b l u e glengarry w i lh r e d . b l u e a n d w h i[e
diced b order, red ja cket CUI as doublel with blue c olla r a n d while piping.
white m e t a l b U l lons, uews of L e s li e la rra n , b lack ga il ers and b 0 0 1S. brown
equipm elJ l. The o l/gmal un its o f t h i s b a l la l l O n were th e R ifle c o mpa n i e s
f o rm e d in B er w i c k shire b e l ween 1 8 5 9 a n d 1 86 3 . in 1 9 08 join ed w i th
l h e R ox b u rgh a n d S e l k irk units to c omplete rhe 4 th S a t t a lion K O S S .
Fou rth fi gure. a p r i v a l e . 3 r d V o l u n t eel B a tla lion, K O S 8 1 888- 1 900.
Un iform is b lue helm e t Wilh while m e ta l fi llings. r e d j a c k e l with blue
c o l la r . wh ite piping a n d w h i l e m e l a l b u [[ons . B la ck Wa lCh ta r ta n trews.
bla c k b o o ts and gaiters. all e quipm elJl w h il e . In 1 9 00 [I) e h elm e r wa s
repla c e d b y rhe g l e n ga r r y and Ihe ta rtan changed 10 L es l i e . Th e ba llalion
beca m e pa rt o f t h e 5 1h 8a /1alion. KOSS in 1 9 0R.

L E F T : In!amry s w ords ( Fig 0 1 ) .

T h e s e s w o rds c o m m on ly ca lled
Ha n gers were pa rr o f the in fa n u y
soldier ' s equipmem but fina lly
disapp ea red a s a resull of an
order da ted D e c e m b e r 1 9 , 1 7 68.
This type o f s w ord was firs t
issued a b o u l 1 68 5 a n d ha d a
blade a b out 24 in . l o n g . Various
types 01 hillS were k n o w n to ha v e
been used. three Olh er e xa mples
being illus tra t e d h ere.
23
 Plate 0, K i n g 's O w n Scottish Borderers

1 G ren a d i er 1 7 5 1 7 P r i va t e , L i g h t C o y 1 77 1 1 3 P r i vate 1 897

2 O ff i c e r , G d r C o y 1 771 8 P r i va t e 1 80 5 14 O ffice r 1 9 1 4
3 G r e n a d i e r 177 1 9 O ffi c e r 1 8 1 5 15 S e rgeant 1 9 1 4
4 O ffi c e r 1 7 7 1 1 0 P r i va t e , L i g h t C o y 1 8 4 2 16 P r i vate 1 9 1 4
5 P r ivate 177 1 1 1 O ffic e r 1 897
6 O ffi c e r , L i g h t Coy 1 7 7 1 12 C o l o u r S9t 1 8 9 7

24
r .- �

P l ate E, Argy l l and S u t h e rland H i g h l a n d ers

1 Officer (93rd) 1 803 6 P r i vate, 10 O ffi c e r ( 9 3 r d ) 1 8 5 1

2 P r i va t e ( 9 3 r d ) 1 8 0 3 B n Coy 1 9 3 r d ) 1 8 1 5 1 1 P r i v a t e ( 9 3 r d ) 1 8 54
3 S e r g e a n t, 7 Offi c e r , 12 O ffic e r 1 89 7
Gdr C o y ( 9 1 st ) 1 8 1 5 l i g h t C o y ( 9 1 st) 1 8 2 2 13 P r i vate 1 8 9 7
4 P r i v a te, 8 O ffic er, 14 O ff i c e r 1 9 1 4
G d r Coy ( 9 1 s t ) 1 8 1 5 G d r C o y ( 9 1 st) 1 8 2 2 1 5 Sergeant 1 9 1 4
5 Offic er, 9 Offi c e r , 16 P r ivate 1 9 1 4
G d r Coy ( 9 3 r d ) 1 8 1 5 B n C o y 1 9 3 rd ) 1 8 2 2

25
P r i n ce ss L o u ise s ' A rg y l l
a nd S uth e rl a n d
H i g h l a n d e rs L

( 9 1 st a n d 9 3 rd F o ot)
Plate E , page 25

IN 1 88 1 th e 91 st ( Ar g y l l s h i r e H i g h l a n d e rs )
a
and the 93 d r ( Sutherland
H i g h l a n d e rs ) w e re l i n ked t o fo r m t h e 1 st
reg i m e n t . T h e 1 st B a tta l i o n w a s ra i s e d by t h e D u k e
nd

a n d t h e 2 n d B a t ta l i o n i n 1 8 00 b y t h e E a r l o f S u t h e r l a n d .
2nd
r
B a tta l i o n s
of A gyl l i n 1 794
of th i s

91
A l t h o u g h t h e two b a t t a l i o n s of t h i s reg i m e n t h a v e a g r e a t r e c o r d o f
s e r v i c e p e r h a p s o n e of t h e m o st fa m o u s e p i s o d e s i n t h e h i s t
st R e g i ment when in 1 852 a l a r g e d ra f t of t h e 9 1 st w e r e
o r y of t h e
on b oa rd
t h e s h i p " B i r k e n h ea d " w h e n it w a s w r e c k e d . O n th i s o c ca s i o n a l l t h e
women and chi ldren were saved , b u t e v e n a fte r t h e s h i p ' s ca pta i n
had advised ev e ry o n e to save themselves, knowing that they wo u l d
s w a m p t h e l i f e b o a t s , th e m e n k e p t t h e i r ra n k s a n d l o st t h e i r l i ves a s
t h e s h i p f o u n d e r e d . T h e h o n o u rs s h o w n o n t h e reg i m e nta l co l o u r i n c l u d e
" Cape of Good Hope 1 80 6 " , t h e Pen i n s u la r campa i g n , C r i m ea n W a r,
I n d i a n M u t i n y and S o uth Africa .
T h e d re s s of t h e reg i m e n t h a s a l w a y s b e e n r e d w i t h y e l l o w f a c i n g s ,
t h e t a rta n being the s a m e as the B l a ck W a t c h but of a s l i ght l y l i g hter
s ha d e . It is s o m et i m e s known as C lan S uther land ta rta n . In 1 8 09
the 9 1 st were c o n v e rted to a l ine reg i m e nt and l o st the i r h i g h la nd
d re s s , t h e f u l l h i g h l a n d d re s s n o t b e i n g f u l l y r e s t o r e d u n t i l 1 8 8 1 .
F i g s E 5 a n d E6 s h o w t h e d r e s s of t h e 9 3 r d d u r i n g t h e 1 8 1 4- 1 8 1 5
N ew O r l ea n s c a m p a i g n . W ea r i n g t h e k i lt wa s r e s u m e d w h e n t h e r e g i m e n t
ret u r n e d t o E n g l a n d . F i g s E 7 a n d E 8 s h o w t h e d i ff e r e n c e b e t w e e n t h e l i g h t
a n d g r e n a d i e r c o m p a n y offi c e r s 1 8 2 2 . E 1 2 s h o w s a n o ff i c e r i n t h e d r i l l
v a
o r d e r o f 1 8 9 7 . O n e p o i nt o f i nt e r e s t i s i n t h e a r i t i o n s o f t h e s p o r r a n s ,
e s p e c i a l l y t h e b a d g e r h e a d w o r n o n t h o s e o f t h e offi c e rs a n d s e r g e a n t s .
T h e c e n t r a l d e v i c e o f t h e r e g i m e nta I b a d g e i s t h e c yp h e r o f P r i n c e s s
Lo u i s e . T h e B o a r ' s h e a d i s t h e A r g y l l c rest, t h e c a t , t h a t o f t h e S u t h e r l a n d s .

LEF T . O fficer 's sporran ( Figs E 1 2 . 1 4 a n d

1 5 ) . T h e badg e r head spo rrans were w o rn b y
o ffic ers a n d sergeants o f the A rgyl/ a n d
S u th e rlan d H ighlanders and this was a dis ­
tincti v e tea lUre of regimenta l d es s . The
sp o rran w a s o f da rk b a dger ha ir. with six
r
wh ite tassels in g l / t c u p s . a n d a thin red lin e
b e t w e en the hair a n d cups. The tOp rim was
brass.

26
T he first three figures sh o w t h e dress of offi c e r s a n d p ri va r e s of th e 2 n d
Baualion, A rg y l l a n d S u t h e rlan d H i g h landers when s e rvin g on t h e T o c h i
Expedition, 7 89 7 . T h e t op ee , c o v e r a n d ja cket w e re K h a k i drill, t he
pfl v a t e s h a v ing c a r t r i dg e loops a b o v e the pockets, f o r o fficers t h e belts
w e re o f b ro wn lea t h e r eXCept th e h a v e rsa c k S1fap which was Khaki. for
o ther ra n k s the equ ipm en t was white wirh Khaki ha versack s t rap a n d
gaiters. T h e founh figure sh o ws a n officer o f t h e 2 n d V olun teer B a tta lion,
1 9 03 · 7 9 0 8 , T h e u n i f o rm w a s t h e s a m e a s for r h e R eg u la r regiment w irh
the ex ception rh a t t h e h ea d - dr es s WAS rh e blue glenga rry w i th red and
Vl h i t e diced b order a n d the s i l v e r la ce a n d appoin t m e n t s w e r e w o rn in
pla ce o f gold. This b a u a lion wirh the 3 rd Volunteer B a tta lion beca m e the
6th B a u a l i o n . A rgy ll a n d S u rh e r la n d H i g h lan d e rs in 1 9 0B.

LEF T ' A con trast in officers ' d r es s

order in 1 89 7 . Officer on t h e left
is In R e view O rder while the
o ffic e r on t h e righ t i s in L e v e e
D ress. N o r e r h e differe n t sp o rra n s
a n d t h e L e v e e D ress s t o ckings.
worn w i rh o u t ga i t e rs. B EL O W : A n
ea rl y 1 9 rh Ce nt u ry offic e r ' s belt
pla t e , a ll s ilver. B e /r p la t e s w e r e
introduced s o m etime durin g t h e
m i d d le o f t h e 1 8th Cen tury , t h e
ea rly p la r es were usua lly o v a l but
g ra du a l l y t h e y b e c a m e m o r e d e ­
c o ra t i v e a n d t o o k on the o b l o n g
s h a p e w orn by regim ents un til t h e
dress reforms of 1 8 5 5 . A fr e r rh is
date the p la res w e re only w o rn
by Sco ttish r e g i m en ts .
 F

1 . S e rg e a n t. 1 7 9 6 . 2 .
1 8 1 5 . 6 . Officer. L i g h t
9 . P r i vate. 1 8 6 3 . 1 0 .
11
Plate F , Came ron H igh l and ers
P r iv a t e , 1 8 0 1 . 3 . O ffi c e r , 1 8 1 5 . 4 . S e r g e a n t . 1 8 1 5 . 5 . P ri v a te,
COY. 1 8 2 8 . 7 . P r i v a t e . G re n a d i e r C O Y . 1 8 3 2 . 8. P r i v a t e . 1 8 5 2 .
O ffi c e r . 1 89 2 . 1 1 . S e r g e a n t . 1 89 2 . 1 2 . F i e l d O ff i c e r , 1 9 1 4 .
1 3 . O ff i c e r , 1 9 1 4 . 1 4 . S e r g e a n t , 1 9 1 4

The London Scott i s h

( S ee p a g e 1 7 )

Th e reg im e m was formed in 1 85 9 wirh an es ta b li sh m en t o f s ix com ­

pan ies. No 1 be in g th e H ig h lan d Compa n y . The uniform for this company
(second figure) was a blue gl e n ga r ry with th is(/e ba dg e . H odden grey
tunic with b l u e collar a n d cuffs. grey lace on c o lla r. grey A usuian K n o t
on cuff edged with bl u e piping. wh i t e m etal b u t t o n s , H o dden g r e y kilt.
g oa t skin spo rra n with t w o black ta ils. grey hose, b la c k la ced b o o ts.
brown b elts. For the 2 n d 1 0 6th companies ( first figure) a grey cap w ith
blue and white dic e d b a n d. blackcock's tail on left side. tun ic a s h ighlan d
c ompany but with long s tra ight- framed skirts, H o dden grey t ro u se rs w i l h
b l u e stripe. bro wn can vas le ggin g s a n d brown b e l t s . B y 1 8 72 a l l c o m ­
p a n i e s w o re t h e kilt. In 1 882 the t u n i c w a s replaced by a doublet. this
s t il l b eing H o dden grey w ith b lue piping . in the s a m e yea r grey lin en spa ts
were in troduced. these b e m g repla c e d by white in 1 89 2 . T h e th ird and
fourth figure s s h o w a priva te and officer of 1 9 0 7 : t h e officer is wearing
the dress spo rra n w ith fi ve b lack tails. the brown lea t h e r pouch belt w orn
o v er th e left sh oulder was disc omin ued in 1 9 1 0 wh en the reg i m e m
cea s e d to be classed a s a R ifle Corps. the po uch b el t a n d wa ist b e l t with
s w ord slings were repla ced b y a brown lea ther cross belt w orn o ver the
rig h t s h o ulder. A breast pla t e was w o rn on this belt, and the s w ord was
n o w w o rn in th e fash ion o f o t he r Scottish regimems; th e dirk was ca rrie d
on th e waist belt.

28
 Plate G , The Highland Light I nfantry
1, O ffi c e r , 7 1 s t F o o t , 1 7 7 8 , 2 , P r i va t e , 7 1 st Foot, 1 8 1 5 . 3. O ffi c e r , 7 4th F o o t . 1 8 4 6 ,
4 . S e r g e a n t M a jo r , 7 4t h F o o t , 1 8 4 6 . 5 . S e r g e a n t . 7 4 t h F o o t , 1 8 4 6 . 6 . P r i v a t e , 7 4t h
Foot, 1 8 4 6 . 7. P r i va t e , 1 8 6 2 . 8 . P r i va t e , 1 s I V o l u nt e e r B n , 1 8 8 0 . 9. S e r g e a n t , 1 st
V o l u n t e e r B n . 1 9 0 8 . 1 0 . P r i va t e , 2nd V o l u n t e e r B n , 1 9 0 7 . 1 1 . P r i v a t e , 3 rd Vo l u n t e e r
B n , 1 9 0 8 . 1 2 . F i e l d O ff i c e r . 9 t h L a n a r k s h i re R i f l e V o l u n t e e r s , 1 9 0 8 . 1 3 . O ffi c e r , 5 t h
V o l u n t e e r B n . 1 4 . O ffi c e r , 1 9 1 4 . 1 5 . Offi c e r , D r i l l O r d e r , 1 9 1 4 .

29
A B O VE: The s c e n e at Chelsea B a rracks, L o n don, prolJahly a b o u t 7 9 7 2 , a s
t h e Pala c e Guard, f o u n d b y 7 sr B a / la l i o n , A rgyll a n d S u t h e r la n d High ­
la n ders, pa rades rea dy 1 0 march TO B uckingham P a l a c e , Th i s was d U f l n g
t h e s u m m e r m o n l h s w h e n t h e y relie v e d rh e G uards reglmen{s f o r pub lic
dUlies, R I G H T: The LieU[·
Colonel Commanding
( w ea ring t r e w s ) a n d the
R eg i m (; n l a l S e rgean{
Major, I S I Ba l ia liolJ , in
1 8 9 6 , NOle t h e lJ a dqe r ' s
head a n th e sparta n ,
B EL O W : R egen c y S ha k �)
1 8 1 6- 1 8 2 9 , This h a d a
very s m a l l peak al t h e
ba ck, Round rh e bas(! o f
r h e sha k a was a hnnd o f
% in , g o l d la c e a n d
lO u n d Ihe l OP a hand
2 ! in , w i d e ( reqIlIJcn{s
with silver lac e had
sill/er on ( h e hea d-dress) ,
In the c n tre of I h e lOp
band is a b lack cock a c e
w ith a regimen {a l iJ 1I 1 1O n
in {he middle,

30
 . . _- - _ ._ ._ =�
-= -. �����
Arg y l l and Suth e r l a n d H i gh l a n d ers, v o l u n teer un its. First figure. 7 0 lh
R en fre wshire R ifle V o l u n teers 7 8 60 - 7 7 . Uniform is b lu e glengarry. dark
green d o u b l e t w ith b lac k b raid a n d t ra c i n g c o rds. B la ck Wa lch la r1a n
k i l l S . green a n d b la c k dic e d h o se. grey s p o n a n s w i t h T h re e whire Ta ssels.
b la c k b elts with sil v e r appoin t m en t s . Formed in 7 8 60. la l e r beca m e paf1
o f the 7 S I R en fre w R ifle V o l u n teers who in J 8 8 7 beca m e the 7 S I ( R e n ­
frewshire) V o l B rn A & S H. a n d in 7 9 08 t h e 5 t h B a ua l i o n . A & S H.
T he secon d fig u r e shows an offi c e r o f the 2nd A rg y l l R ifle V o l u n t e ers in
7 8 6 8 . Unif o rm is blue glenga rry with black c ock ' s lail. s c a rlel tunic with
green collar and cuffs. while pipin g . s i l v e r la c e and b U l l on s . v/h i re bellS
with s il v e r a/Jp o i n l l n e n ts . k tit of A rg y l l ( Ca w dor) Ca mpbell l a r ra n . b la c k
s p o rra n w i th Ihree w h ile rails. red a n d b la c k d i c e d h o s e . w h il e spa IS.
T h e Ihird fig u re is a n officer o f t h e 81h A rg yll R ifle V o lumeers. 7 8 66. His
uniform consists o f a b l u e g l eng a r ry . da rk green d o u b l e t . s ca rlet c o l la r
a n d cuff s . a l s o p ipin g on from e dge a n d pockel flaps. s i l v e r bra id a n d
dia m o n d shap e d Silver butlOns. T a r 1 a n o f A rg y l l ( Ca w do r ) C a m p b e l l .
b l a ck b e l t s . spo rra n w h i t e hair w ith Ihree b la ck la ssels. h ea t h e r m i x t u r e
h o s e and High la n d b r o g u e s . The 2nd a n d 8th w e re b o th f o r m e d in 7 8 60.
beca m e part o f t h e A rgyllshire H ighla n d R i fle Vo lumeers w h o b e c a m e Ihe
8th B a na l i o n . A rgyll a n d S u th e r la n d Highlanders. T h e f o u r t h fig ure. a
capta in of [he 7 SI A dminlS lra tive B a lla lion. Cla c k m a n nan a n d K i n ro s s
R ifle Vo lumeers . 7 8 7 4 - 7 888. Unif orm is b lue glenga rry w ilh bla ck cock 's
la il . s c a r l e l doublet w ilh b l u e c o l l a r a n d c uffs. w h iw piping. s i l v e r la c e
3 n d b U I l O n S . ! r e w s a n d p la i d o f M urra y ta rta n . b e l t b r o w n . In J 88 7 Ih e
t itl e was c ha n g e d to 7th ( Cl a c k m a n n a n a n d K in r o s s ) Vol B m A & S H.
beco m in g Ihe 7 th B m . A & S H on t h e forma lion of the TA In J 908.

B EL O W : A b a t r a l i o n o f l h e A rgylls pa ra des rea dy t o l ea v e for Soulh A iricd

In J 900. w ith Ihe Maxim machine gun s e c t i on in Ihe f o r e g r o u n d . T h e
d r i v e r ( Iefl) w e a rs b reeches a n d p U l lees in stead of the kilt.

31
 7 LZ1......

16

P l ate H . Seaforth H i g h l a nders

2. S e r g e a n t ( L i g h t C o y ) . 3 . P r i vate ( Li g h t C o y ) .
4. G r en a d i e r ( Li g h t C oy ) . A l l 7 2 n d F o o t , 1 7 88.
5. O ffi c s r ( B n C o y ) . 6. Sergeant ( B n C oy ) . 7.
P r i v a t e ( B n C o y ) . 8. P r i va t e ( G re n C o y ) . A l l
7 2 n d Foot. 1 8 1 6.
9. O ff i c e r ( Bn C oy ) . 1 0 . S e r g eant ( G ren Coy ) .
1 2 . P r ivate ( B n C o y ) . A l l 7 2 n d Foot. 1 8 2 5 .
1 3. O ff i c e r . 1 4. S e r g ea n t . 1 5. C o r po r a l . 1 6.
pri vate. A l l Seaforths. 1 9 1 4.
L 1 . O ff i c e r ( Bn Coy) . 1 788.
Ll 1 . P r i va t e ( Li g h t C o y ) . 1 8 2 5 .

O P P O S I TE. TOP: First figure. officer. 4th Su therla n d R ifle Volunteers.

Formed in 1 86 1 , in 1 8 64 th e 4th b ecame part of J st A dmin istra t i v e
B a ua lion , S u therla nd Rifle Volun teers, w h o beca me t h e 1 s t Suth erla n d
H ighland R ifle Volunteers in 1 880 and the 5 th B a tta lion S ea f o rth High ­
lan de rs in 1 9 08. The officer is s h o wn wearing th e first un iform of th e
4th, a pla in glengarry, sca rle t doub let w ith yellow c o llar. kilt and p laid
o f Suth erland tartan, pla in goat s k i n sporran . bla c k and red diced hose
and white bel ts with s ilver buckle and slide. Second figure, officer. 1 s t

32
S u th erla n d Highla n d R ifle V olumeers in the uniform w o rn b e t w een 1 880
and 7 88 9 . Th e un iform colours are the sam e as for the firs t figure exc ep t
t h a t there is silver lace on the c o l la r and cuffs a n d the stock ings are
g r ee n and red, the s w ord scabbard i s s teel. Third figllfe, officer, 6th
Elgin R i fle Volume e rs. Formed in 7 8 6 1 . the un iform from 1 862 to 1 8 7 9
wa s a pla in b l u e glengarry, scarlet doublet with dark b l u e c olla r a n d
c uffs, kilt o f Grant tarta n ( Gra m Hun ting which wa s t h e same a s B lack
Wa tch) b lack b elts which ha d s ilver finings, goats hair sporran w ith
b lack lea ther tOP and green a n d b la c k s tockings; spa ts w ere n o t worn
before 1 8 78. On fo rm a t i on the 6 th Elgin b e ca m e part of the 1 st A d m i n i ­
s trative Ba tta lion , Elgin R i fle Volun t eers. who became the 1 s t Elgin R ifle
Vo lumee rs in 7 880; the 3rd (Morayshire) V B tn S ea fo rth High lan ders
in 1 88 7 and in 7 9 08 the 6th Ba tta lion, S ea f o rth Highlanders. F o u rth
figure, p rivate, 1 st Volun teer Ba tta lion, S ea forth Highlan ders 1 903- 1 9 08.
Th e uniform s h o w n was the same as for the S ea fonh Highlan ders except
tha t th e glen ga rry was w o rn . Th is b ecam e th e 4th B a ttalion in 1 9 08.

MAJOR LI E U T E N A NT C O LO N EL
C O LO N E L

CAPTA I N LI EUT ENANT

7 he system sh o w in g officers ra nk fro m Colonel to Second Lieutenant, as
worn on the gauntlet cuffs o f t h e s e r v i c e dress ja ckets_ This system
was imroduced in 1 9 04 a n d c ontin u e d until 7 9 20 w h en it wa s o rd e re d
1hat officers ' rank b a dges w o uld be worn on the sh oulder s trap.

33
Q u e en 's Own
Ca m e ro n H i g h l a n d e rs
(7 9 t h Foot)
P late F, p a g e 28

RAISED in 1 793 as the 79th ( C a m e ro n i a n V o l u nt e e r s ) Reg iment, the

C a m e ro n H i g h l a n d e r s ' fi rst s e rv i c e was in H o l l a n d in 1 7 9 4 . In 1 7 9 9 o n
retu rn i n g to H o l l a n d t h e y w o n t h e i r f i r s t b a tt l e h o n o u r a t E g m o n t - o p -Z e e .
T h e reg i m e n t n e x t t o o k pa r t i n t h e E g y pt i a n ca m pa i g n u n d e r S i r R a l p h
Abercromby when the French a r m y w a s defeated . F o r t h e i r ser v i c e in
th i s c a m p a i g n t h e reg i m e n t r e c e i ved a u t h o r i ty to wea r t h e S p h i n x w i t h
t h e w o r d " E g ypt " o n i t s c o l o u r s a n d a p p o i nt m e n t s . T h e l i g h t co m p a ny
of the C a m e r o n s f o u g h t at C o r u n n a , t h e reg i m e nt s e r v i n g t h ro u g h o u t t h e
P e n i n s u l a r g a i n i n g b a tt l e h o n o u rs " S a l a m a n c a " , " P y re n e e s " . " N i v e l l e " ,
" N i v e " , " T o u l o u s e " . T h e r e g i m e n t w a s a t W a te r l o o a n d wa s o n e of t h e
fo u r reg i m e n t s sp e c i a l l y m e n t i o n e d b y t h e D u k e of W e l l i n g t o n .
T h e n e x t batt l e s i n v o l v i n g t h e C a m e r o n s w e re n o t u n t i l t h e C r i m e a n
W a r a nd the I n d i a n M u t i n y , t h e n E g y p t 1 8 8 2 , t h e S u d a n 1 8 9 8 , a n d t h e
S o ut h Af r i ca W a r .
T h e u n i f o r m o f t h e r e g i m e n t ha s a l w a y s b e e n t h e h i g h l a n d d ress, t h e
facing be i n g d a r k g re e n unti l 1 873, when Queen V i cto r i a g ra nted t h e
title " Q u ee n 's Ow n " . They then changed a c c o rd i n g l y to blue facings.
T h e officer i n Fig F3 i s i n t h e fi e l d d re s s , t h e f a c i n g s n o t s h o w i n g a s
t h e l a p e l s a re b u tto n e d a c r o s s . T h e s e rg e a n t i n F i g F 4 i s f r o m a b a tta l i o n
c o m p a n y . T h e offi c e r a nd s e r g e a n t o f 1 8 9 2 s h o w n i n F i g s F 1 0 a n d F l l
f ea t u r e t h e offi c e r w e a r i n g t h e s c a r l e t s h e l l ja cket a n d t h e s e r g e a n t the
w h i t e j a c k e t w o r n i n d r i l l o rd e r .
T h e ta rta n o f t h e r e g i m e nt i s t h e C a m e ro n o f E r r a c h t . T h e reg i m e n t a l
b a d g e is St A n d rew w i t h C ro s s , w i t h i n a w r e a t h of t h i s t l e s a n d a s c r o l l
i ns c r i bed " CA M E RO N " . T h e ba d g e of St A n d r e w w i t h C ro s s i s ta k e n
f r o m t h e B a d g e o f t h e Order o f t h e Th i s t l e . T h e n a m e C a m e r o n i s f o r S i r
A l a n C a m e r o n w h o r a i s e d t h e reg i m e n t .

FA R LEF T: O fficer's sporran.

This p a t tern was w o rn from
7 8 73 - 7 9 7 4. Th e h a i r was g rey.
the ta sse l s a n d co rds b eing
gold i n t e r w o v e n w i t h blue. The
g i l t pla t e was a ltered slightly
a fte r 7 88 7 when a silver
chiscle repla ced t h e regim ental
n umber 7 9 . S ee a lso Fig F J 3.
LEF T: O fficer's
B elt Plate.
pa t tern w orn c.7 820 to c.
7 840 ( Fig F6. page 2 8 ) .

34
The Q ueen 's O wn Cam eron H ighla n ders. Field Officers 1 89 7 . The h o rse
furn iture, consis tin g of b ridle, re in s , ma rtingale, sa ddle a n d holsters, was
of bro wn lea ther, th e brow band a n d rosettes w ere o f the colour of the
regimen ta l fa cings, the h o ls ters b eing covered wi th b la ck fur, the girth
b e ing da rk blue. Field officers of this p eriod ca rried a plain b lack sabre­
tache, this b ein g discon tin u e d in 1 9 0 2 . The s w o rd carried by field
officers o f Scottish regiments was of th e same pattern as for Line in fa n try
officers. The A djuta nt, a lthough b e l o w field rank, wore this style of
un iform, sword and sab reta ch e as a m o u n ted officer.

A Staff S e r g ea n t
( a c tua lly the S e rgean t
Ma ster- Tailor) , a S er­
g ean t. a n d P riva te in
J 9 0 2 . The Staff Sergeant
w ea rs t h e full pla id a n d
h ighla n d broads w ord of
sen i o r N C O s and war­
ra n t officers. He als o h a s
gold la ce to cuffs.
stripes, and c o lla r while
the Sergean t has a pla in
tunic. Note th e P rivate's
g o o d conduct stripes.

35
 A B O VE: Officers of the 1 s t B a ua lion, Q ueen 's O wn
w
Ca m e r on H ighlan ders in E g y p t In 1 89 8 . Th e y a re w e a r i n g
m k h a k i Foreign Service Un iform . w i t h t h e Wolsle y helm e l .
u p o n wh ich appea rs a flash i n t h e reqimenta l tafla n . T h e
b e l t s a re of b r o w n lea ther. FA R L E F T : Lieuten a n t , 7 89 7 .
MID D L E L E F T: Colour S e rg ea n t . 7 89 7 . compare w ith FII)
F7 4. N o t e the good shooting b a dg e on cuff. D R A WING
LEFT: Pattern o f b on n et worn a t the t i m e o f th e Peninsula
Ca mpaiqn. a da rk blue cap with red. white and green
b o rder. b lack f ea th e rs and co ckade. red and white p l 'l m e .
S e e Figs F 3 . 4 . a n d 5. The p e a k w a s deta cha ble a n d was
o n ly w o rn on a ctive service. MID D LE LEFT: O fficers dirk
7 88 1 - 1 9 1 4. Th e d i rk . a l ways a s s ocia te d with h ighla n d
regim en ts since t h e raisin g of t h e B lack Wa t ch h a s a l ways
b een a feature o f officers ' a n d pipers ' dress. The Ca m eron
Highla n ders ' dirk wa s ca rried in a patent lea ther c o v er e d
w ooden shea th . th e sh e a th b eing decora t e d with gilt
mountings The handles of th e dirk. k nif e . and fork w ere
ornamented with small gilt na il h ea ds and the tops with
Ca irngorms fitted in gilt frames. See a lso Fig F7 3.
A pr i va t e a n d s ergea nt. Ca m eron Highlan ders. 7 83 2 . B on n et with red.
green and wh ite dic e d b a n d. b la c k fea thers a nd white o ver red hackle .
red ja cket with green colla r a n d c uff s . sporra n with b rass rim . wh ite o v e r
b lack ha ir. a n d white tassels w ith r e d c a p s. kilt and pla id o f Ca meron
E{{a c h [ tarta n . red a n d wh ite diced h o s e . white belt w ith b rass plate.
white st r ip e s for s e rg ean t . this type o f dr e ss was w o rn un lil the Crimean
War. For a s h o rt pe rio d 7 85 5 - 1 85 6 a doub le-breasted do u ble t was w o rn .
( s e e th i r d figure) . T h e fourlh figure. a n officer o f 1 8 60. w ea rs Ih e n e w
pattern single -b reas ted d o u b l e r a s d es c ri b ed i n D ress R egula tions. 7 85 7 .
The th ree pointed slash cuff was r ep la c ed by ga u n t l e t cuffs in 7 86B.

FA R LEF T: P r i va t e . Q u een 's O wn

Ca meron H ig hla n ders ( 79 th F o o t )
7 82 5 : the w h ite drill ja c k e t was
w orn on occasions oth e r than when
the full dr es s ja c k e t w as ordered
to be worn. the white jacket a n d
b lue cap replacing the red ja cket
a n d feathered b onnet. The rest is
a s in Fia F7. LEFT: Private. Q ueen 'S
O wn Ca m e r o n Hig h la n ders. 7 9 1 4 .
This is t h e full dress worn up to
th e sta rt of the 7 9 7 4 - 7 8 wa r . The
unif orm wa s the same colour as
for the Sergeant in Fig F7 4

37
R I G H T : M en of che 3rd
(Mililia j B a c c a I i o n in
F oreign Service Uniform
f o r c h e S o u ch A frican cam-
pa ign , 7 900. They a re
w ea r in g S la d e - Walla c e
equipmenc w h ich has been
s la in e d k hak i from lhe
usual p ipe-clayed while.

The Queen 's Own Ca meron High landers, 7 88 2 ,

o fficers a n d privace serving i n Egypc dur ing che
S u da n Ca mpaign, 7 882 - 7 8 8 5 . Whice h e l m e l s , red
ia ckefs wich blue c o llars, while piping on c o llar
a n d cuffs for o ffi ce rs , lh e equip m e n r for o lher
ra nks was lhe Valise pa ltern W ilh while s t raps
a n d p o uches, lhe rifle was che Ma reini-Henry. For
officers c h e s craps, b e lcs, h o l s t e r and pouches
were o f lea lher. che ha versack s rrap b e ing o f
webbing as for o cher ran k s . f o r field o fficers
b lack b o o cs a n d Infan c ry officers pa ccern s w o rd
in lea cher scabba rd. The re g im en c formed pa re o f
I h e Highla n d B riga de a c che ba ctle o f Tel-e '-Kebir
a n d were granced lhe b a C l le h on ours " Tel-el­
Kebir, " "Egypt 7 882 " a n d "N ile 7 884 · 85 " for
chis campa ign.

RIGH T: A Corp o ra l in service dress in 7 9 7 4 .

typifying th e appea ran c e of l h e h ighla n d reg i­
ments in the Grea l War period. He wears the
7 9 08 pattern equip m en r a n d a khak i a p r on to
cover t h e kilt.

38
H i g h l and Lig ht I nfa ntry
(71 5t and 74t h )
P late G , pag e 29

THE H . L .I . resu l t ed from a m a l ga m a t i o n in 1 88 1 o f t h e 7 1 st a n d 74th

re g i m e n ts . In 1 777 the 7 3 rd ( H i g h l a n d ) R e g i m e n t of F o o t w a s rai s e d
a n d r en u m b e re d 7 1 st i n 1 7 8 6 . I n 1 808 t h e n a m e G l a sg o w w a s i n c l u d e d
i n t h e r e g i m e n t a l t i t l e wh i c h b e c a m e 7 1 st ( G l a sg o w H i g h l a n d ) R e g i me n t
o f F o o t . T h e 7 4 t h w e r e f o r m e d i n 1 7 8 7 a s th e 7 4 t h ( H i g h l a nd ) R e g i ment
of Foot. T h e h o n o u rs f o r b o t h t h ese reg i m e n t s i nc l u ded t h e Peninsula
a n d e ar l y I n d i an ca m p a i g n s . T h e s e serv i c e s a re s h o w n i n t h e b a d g e o f
the H i gh land L i g h t I n fa n t r y . T h e F r e n c h b u g l e - h o rn wa s a n o l d ba d g e
of th e 7 1 s t R e g i m e n t . T h e E l e p h a n t C ro w n a n d S ta r o f t h e O rd e r of t h e
T h i s t l e a re b a d g e s i n h e r i t e d f r o m the 74th .
O n t h e u n i f o r m p l a t e a s p e c i a l f e a t u re h a s b e e n m a d e of t h e d r e s s
of t h e V o l u n tee r Ba t ta l i o n s ; t h e s e v o l u n t e e r s b e c a m e (Ja rt o f the Terri­
tor i a l Army in 1 9 08 . Those in Figs G8 and G9, b e ca m e t h e 5th Bn
H . L . I . F i g G 1 0 b e ca m e t h e 6th B n H . L . I . , F i g G 1 1 t h e 7 t h B n , F i g G 1 2
t h e 8 t h , a n d F i g G 1 3 t h e 9th Bn .
T h e e a r l y tartan w o rn was d esc r i bed a s h a v i n g r e d a n d b u ff str i p e s .
The M a c K e nz i e tarta n was worn by the r eg i m en t . To go ba c k to t h e
e a r l y h i st o r y o f t h e H . L . I . t h e r e g i m e n t wa s ra i s e d by J o h n M a c K e n z i e
( Lord M a c L eo d ) in 1 777 and was e m bo d i e d at Elgin in Apri l 1 778,
a nd ca l l e d " M a c L e o d 's Highlanders". In M a rch 1 8 09 a u t h o r i ty was
g ra n t e d to m a k e the 7 1 st a l i g h t i n f a n try reg i m e n t ; the 71 st w e re the
first r e g i m e nt to wea r ta rta n trew s . At o n e p e r i o d d u r i n g t h e B a t t l e
i n t h e s q u a re f o r m e d by t h e 7 1 s t .
o f W a t e r l o o t h e D u ke o f W e l l i n g to n w a s
Th e 7 1 st served i n the C r i mea , i n t h e I n d i a n M u t i n y w h e r e P r i va t e G .
R o d g e rs w o n t h e V i ct o r i a C r o s s . T h e 7 4 t h , m e a n w h i l e , served i n Ca n a d a
and the West I n d i e s .

Officers o f th e High lan d

L igh t Infantry i n t h e early
1 9 00s. f o r colours see
Fig G 1 4 . page 29.

39
Officers of the H ighland L igh t In fa n t r y on departure for th e S o u th A frica n
War in 1 89 9 . They a re wea ring un dress frock with t r e w s rather th an
Foreign Service Un i f o rm which in dica t es tha t they a re proba bly from a
m ilitia ra ther lhan a regula r ba l1alion.

The fi rs t twO figures show a priva te and offi c er of the G re n a dier compan y .
7 3 rd F o o t . t h e th ird a n d fou rth figures an office r and pri va te of t h e
B a tta lion c ompa n ies . This, the first uniform o f th e Highla n d L i g h t Infantry
was red with buff facings. the ta flan b e ing a s the B lack Wa tch with o ver­
s tripes of r ed a n d b uff. red a n d while h ose. a n d bla ck b elts. Th e grena ­
diers had the usua l fur cap with white cords. and white design on a bla ck
pla te. The battalion c ompanie s ' hea d- dress wa s the blue b onnet with diced
b order. b lack fea thers and cocka de.

40
 In 1 845 th e 74th Regiment of Foot received appro val 10 resume the
title Highland and to w ear clo thing m o re in keeping with Highland
regim ents: t h e th re e officers a r e sh o wn w ea rin g the n e w dress of the
r e g i m e n t i n 1 84 6 . The un dress a s worn by t h e firs t officer consisted of
a da rk blue ca p with s ca rl et piping a n d diced ban d . a dark b lue coat w i th
g il t bUllons and sh oulder scales on wh ich w e r e embro idered silver
thistles. a b l a c k s w o r d b elt. the tre ws were of the same ta r ta n as the
B lack Watch w i th a white lin e a d d e d. th e o ffic ers in full dress wear black
shakos wi th b lack cap lines. a g i lt badge a n d a white o ve r red ball in
gilt holder. sca rlet jacke[s with wh ite fa cings. gold lace. gilt bu1tons.
ta rtan p laid and tre ws. Th e h o rs e furn irure consists of a wh ite edged
gold sha b ra que. brown l eathe r sa ddle and h o ls ters. the n o ls ters co vered
in black fur. bla ck leather b r idle and reins. white browband and rosettes
and a white head colla r, In 1 881 [he 74th b ecam e the 2nd Ba ttalion.
The Highla n d L ight In fan try.

B EL O W: M ilitary type H ighla n d

P istol w i t h g u n m e [ a l s l O c k a n d
b u t t a n d s teel barrel. T h e p ist ol
wa s a lso m a d e with th e ram 's
horn butt as illustra te d . The G o v ­
ernm e n t supplied th is type o f
p i s t o l [ 0 Highla n d regim ents be­
t ween 1 73 9 and 1 7 7 6 . See a lso
Fig G 1 . LEFT: B e l t P la te o f 74th
Foot c . 1 8 70.

j
41
 The regiment wa s origin a lly numbered t h e 73rd. b e c o m ing the 7 1 st in
1 786. On being made a Ligh t Infan try regim e n t in 7 809 the regim ent
was o rdere d to a dopt the uniform of Line in fa n t r y . This was a red ja cket
w ith buff fa cin g s . buff breeches a n d b la ck gaiters: f o r other than full
dress grey o vera lls were w orn . Officers wore a b la ck shako with green
plum e a n d silver badge. wirh silver cha in w ings a n d silver buttons on
t h e ja cket. t h e sergea n t ' S sash was crimson w i th a c e n tra l b u ff s tripe
a n d the la c e on his ja cket was wh ite. for the priva te the la ce was white
with a red stripe near t h e edge. all b elts w ere wh ite a n d sergea n ts
carried rhe B a k er rifle.

A B O VE R I G H T: S e rgea nt. Hig h lan d L ight In fa n try 7 9 7 4. wea ring rhe

white drill sh ell ja c k e t. C o l o urs a s for Fig G 1 5 . b u t with gold ch e v ron s
on righ t arm. A B O VE LEF T: Captain in the early 7 900s. f o r c o l o urs see
F ig G 7 4.

42
O fficer, serg ean t a n d privale of 7 1 SI FOOl in lhe Crim ea , O v ercoat and
cape ( ce n t r e ) is dark grey.
<;

A B O VE LEF T : Colour Sergean t ' s badg e , worn on lhe righ t upp e r a rm from
1 8 1 3 to 1 8 68. The o rigin a l design in 1 8 1 3 va ried sligh l ly from this, lhe
fla g drooping slightly towa rds th e s t a ff a n d the s w ord b la des b eing
pointed. A l hree bar ch e vron was worn on the left a rm , The ra nk o f Colour
S e rgeant was instiruted in 1 8 1 3 , A B O VE R I G H T: R egimental Colour
6th Bn. Ground was buff, edged Wilh red a n d gold, Period: 1 9 02-08.

43
Royal S cots G reys
(2 nd Dra goons)
Plate M , page 46

TH I S reg i m e n t h a d its o n g l n s i n 1 6 7 8 w h e n t h r e e t r o o p s of D r a g oo n s
were ra i s e d i n S c ot l a n d d u r i n g t h e C o v e n a nter troub l e s . I n 1 68 1 t h re e
add itiona l troops w e r e ra i s e d and the six troops w e r e formed i n to a
re g i m e n t sty l e d t h e " R oya l R e g i m e nt of S cots D ra g o o n s " . It i s be l i e v e d
t h a t t h e f i r s t u n i f o r m w a s of a sto n e g re y co l o u r , a s i n F e b r u a ry 1 6 8 3
G en e ra l D a l ye l l o bta i n e d a l i c e n ce f r o m the P r i vy Council to " i m p o rt
stone-grey c l oth f r o m E n g l a nd fo r c l o th i n g the s a i d r e g i m e n t of d r a g o o n s " .
All thefig u re s o n P l a t e M , h ow e v e r , h a v e r e d c o a t s , t h e f i r s t f o u r
fi g u re s h a v i n g b l u e b r e e c h e s a n d w a i st c o a t s . M 1 i s t h e d re s s o f t h e
reg i m e n t a t t h e beg i n n i n g of t h e 1 8 t h C e n tu ry w h e n t h e re g i m e n t
f o rm e d p a r t of M a r l b o ro u g h ' s a r m y a g a i n st t h e French and B a va r i a n s .
T h e fig u r e s M2 and M3 both h a v e w h ite l a ce and b u tt o n s but h a ve
d i ff e re n t d e s i g n s on the i r h e a d - d r e s se s . F i g M 4 s h o w s an o ffi c e r of t h e
l i g h t tro o p , t h e l a ce a n d b u t t o n s be i n g g o l d . Fig M5 h a s wh ite wa i st c o a t
a n d b r ee c h e s w i t h w h i t e l a c i n g a n d b u t t o n s . T h e g r e n a d i e r c a p i s o f
d a r k b r o w n f u r w i t h a f r o n t p l a t e o f b ra s s .
T h e r e m a i n i n g f i g u res f o l l o w t h e n o r m a l d re s s f o r d r a g o o n s w i th t h e
except i o n of the bea r s k i n ca p which was d i s t i n ct i ve t o t h e re g i m e n t .
F i g s M 7 a n d M 8 s h o w th e d re s s a t t h e W ate r l o o pe r i o d w h e n t h e re g i m e n t
formed p a rt of the " U n i on B rigade" with the R o ya l s and I n n i ski l l i n g
D ra g oo n s . In the a ctio n at Waterloo the ea g l e of the French 45th
R e g i m e n t w a s c a pt u re d by S e r g e a n t C h a r l e s Ewa r t of t h e G reys .
T h e offi c e r h a s l i g h t g r e y t r o u se r s a n d t h e t r o o p e r d a rk g r ey w i th a
ye l l ow s t r i p e . T h e f i g u re s in t h e b o t t o m row a l l h a v e d a rk b l u e t ro u s e rs ,
w i t h g o l d l a c e b e l t s fo r t h e o ff i c e r s a n d w h i te f o r t h e ot h e r ra n k s .

LEF T: O fficer's Sa brerache 1 830-1 83 7 ( Fig

M 9 ) . fa ced with da rk blue cloth edged
with 2 * in . gold la ce: the central de vice
was the R oya l Cypher in gold embroidery
surm ounted b y a cro wn. the pea rls bein g
silver. A sc roll ' Wa terlo o ' is on a crimson
background, the cap of the cro wn also
b e ing crim s o n , a n d th e oak lea ves gold.
T he regim ental rhistle pa uern la ce was in ­
tro d u c e d in 1 846. TOP OF PA G E : R egi­
mental ba dge derived from the French
eagle captured at Waterloo.

44
 LEF T : Tro op e r, 7 75 7 ,
wearing th e same uniform
as sh o w n in Fig M3, pa g e
46. B E L O W: Offic e r 's
Jacket. w o rn from 7 8 7 7
to 7 8 7 9. Scarlec with
blue cloth c ol/a r. c uffs
a n d wrnback.

Shoulder
strap inset;
same !ace
as front.

LEFT: Cza r Nich ola s 11 o f Russia as

Colonel-in - Chief of the R oya l S c o ts G r e y s
in a b o u t 7 9 00. Note th e end of che s w ord
knot in che design o f a chis(/e. The criple
A us crian kn o c on the cuffs de n o tes an
officer o f field rank. B EL O W, LEF T: O fficer's
G rena dier Cap, c. 7 742. Red c loth fra n c
edg e d y e l l o w , wich ch e border design o f
r o s e s a r; d chiscles in yell o w . p i n k a n d
green . A c cencre is a b lue garter w i c h m o no
in yellow leuers: wichin the garter is a
white centre w ith a red c r o s s , a ll placed
on a yello w cross. B ehind chis is the Cross
o f S t A n dr e w in white embroidery. The
small front flap is blue edged yello w, with
a b o v e che ch is tle a white s c r o ll leuered
b la ck. (See also Fig M 2 ) . BELO W RIGHT:
O fficer's Cap . L i gh t Troop, 7 7 5 6 - 1 7 63.
( Fig M4) . Cap fron t is b lue edg ed gold.

45
 Plate M

7 8

1 70 7 1 7 42 O FFICER TROOPER O FFICER O F F I CE R TRO O PER

T R O O P ERS ( L ight Tro o p ) 1 784 1 80 5 1 81 5 1815
1 7 62

"'"
N B : See a l s o figure 3 shown in c o l o u r on b�ck :ove r .
Cl

OFFICER S E R G EA N T TROOPER O FFICER S G T- M A J O R S O N S G T- M A J O R OFFICER TROO PER

1 833 1 83 3 1 833 1 845 1 89 7 1 89 , 1914 1914
P l ate I

1 . O ff i c e r

2. Sergeant

3 . M u s keteer

A l l 1 686

S c ots G u a rd s
P l ate I

TH E S co t s G u a r d s tra ce t h e i r h i st o ry f r o m a reg i m e nt ra i se d by t h e
M a rq u i s of A r g y l l by t h e a u t h o r i t y of K i n g C h a r l e s I d a t e d M a rc h 2 8 ,
1 6 4 2 . T h e s e r v i c e of t h i s reg i m e n t w a s m a i n l y i n I re l a n d a n d S c o t l a n d .
Aft e r v a r i o u s c h a n g e s t h e r e m n a n t s o f t h e s e ea r l y u n i t s w e r e f o r m e d a s
p a rt o f a n ew r e g i m e n t o f F o o t G u a rd s , t h e wa rra n t b e i n g d a te d M a y 1 ,
1 6 6 1 . T h e h i sto ry o f t h e B r i g a d e o f G u a rd s i s a I m o s t a h i st o r y of t h e
B r it i s h Army, the reg i m e nts ha v i n g served in so m a n y c a m p a i g n s
t h ro u g h o u t th e world f o r t h e p a s t 3 0 0 yea r s . T h e S c o t s G u a rd s h a v e
the i r fu l l share of b a t t l e h o n o u rs i n c l u d i n g " D ett i n g e n " , " P e n i n s u l a r " ,
" W a t e r l o o " a n d " S ev a s t o p o l " .
T h e e a r l y d re s s o f t h e reg i m e n t i s g i v e n i n a l i st of K i n g J a m e s ' s a rm y
in 1 68 6 ; c o a t red , l i ned w i t h w h i t e , w h ite b re e c h e s a n d st o c k i n g s a s
shown i n F i g s 1 1 , 2 a n d 3 . T h e offi c e r a n d s e r g e a n t h a v e c r i m s o n s a s h e s
a n d s i l v e r l a c e . T h e r e g i m e n t p r o b a b l y re c e i ve d i t s b l u e fa c i n g s i n 1 7 0 7
when it wa s pla ced on the B ritish e sta b l i s h m e n t . Figs 1 4 to 1 8 s h o w
t h e d re s s w o r n b e tw e e n 1 742 and 1 80 5 . A l l have red coats with b l u e
fa c i n g s a n d w h i t e l a c e , t h e o ffi c e r ' s lace being gold. Figs 19 a n d 11 0
show the d r e s s of 1 8 3 3 , t h e o ffi c e r ' s l a ce a n d s h a ko l i n e s b e i n g g o l d
a n d t h e c u ff b e i n g a l m o s t covered w i t h g o l d l a c e . T he w h i t e t r o u s e r s w e r e
worn i n s u m m e r .
The S e rg e a n t Major shown in Fig 11 1 wears the d o u b l e-brea sted
tunic a u t h o r i s ed in 1 8 54 but changed to single brea sted in 1 857 . In
contrast, Figs 113 to 116 s h ow the u n iform at 1 9 1 4. The Sergeant
Major now h a d only the Roya l Arms o n his right a rm .
In 1 713 the reg i m e nta l " The Th i r d R e g i m e n t o f F o o t
tit l e b e ca m e
G ua rd s " a n d i n 1 8 7 7 " S cots G u a rd s " . I n 1 8 9 9 Q u e e n V i c to r i a p re s e n te d

47
P l ate I

5 . G ren a d i e r ,
1 751 .

6. O ffic e r , 1 790.
7 . P r i va t e
� B n C oy ) , 1 790.
8 . P r i va t e
I G ren Coy l ,
1 80 5 .

a S t a te c o l o u r to t h e re g i m e n t ; th i s c o l o u r i s o n l y ca rr i e d w h e n the
Sovere i g n is p re s e nt a n d i s o n l y l ow e red to the S o v e re i g n . T h e S c o t s
G u a rd s h a v e n o p l u m e i n the i r bea r s k i n c a p . W ith o n l y minor c h a n g e s ,
t h e 1 9 1 4 sty l e u n iform s h o w n i s s t i l l w o r n tod a y .

Corp ora l
and
P rivate,
S c o ts
Gua rds,
1 9 1 4.
Note th e
good
c onduct
stripe
and
buttons
grouped
in th rees.

48
 � �� �� ....__ • stLZ!L __ £C!Sb: :x � ..-Ji

Plate I

15

OFFICER P R I VA T E RSM O FFICER OFFI CER RSM C O LO U R S G T G UARDSMAN

1 8 29 1 833 1 856 1 897 1914 Hl14 1914 1914
.,.
(0
( 1 ) G rena dier Mitre Cap, c. 1 7 5 1 ( Fig 15) . A series o f con temporary prin tings N B : B a d g e w a s w o r n on
b o t h a r m s ( F i g 1 1 1 1 . La r g e
shows the three regim ents of F o o t G u a rds wea ring the same pa ttern of G rena ­ Roya l Arms badge for
dier cap. The fron t w a s da rk b l ue with while eaging a n d scrolls; at the top was S e r g e a n t M a jo r s w o r n o n
a c ro wn embroidere d in yellow, c rim so n and whire. B e l o w the c ro wn was a S l a r t h e r i g h t upper a r m on l y
w a s i n t r o d u c e d i n 1 8 90-
i n white. wi th in the centre a b l u e garter with m otto i n w h ire. Within t h e garrer 9 1 I F i g 1 1 4 1 . A n order of
on a blue ground was a red cross supeflmposed on a while cross. The white 1 802 Quotes a four b a r
h o rs e and y ello w motto. 'Nec A soera Terrent ' were on a red g r oun d, the horse c h e v ro n .
being on a ye ll o w a n d green ba s e . Tuft a l th e top was while with a crimson
c e n t re. ( 2 ) Sergea n t Major's ba dge . The ba dge worn a b o v e rhe elb o w. consisted
o f a four b ar ch evron of gold la ce, ea c h b a r edged wirh da rk blue. S uper­
imposed on rhe b a rs wa s th e Royal A rms e m b ro idere d in full co l o u rs on a
scar/et ba ckgroun d. ( 3 ) Col/ar, cuff a n d tunic skirt. The pal lerns for th ese h a v e
b e e n used since 1 85 5 when the tunic repla ced l h e coa tee. The c o l l a r is da rk
b lue edged on top and fro n t with wh i t e piping, wirh a gold la c e fron t panel a n d
this tle m silver. The cuff a n d three pointed sla sh a re dark blue. T h e cuff is
edged white, a n d the slash is edped rop, rea r, a nd base in white p iping. T he
la ce is gold. The three b a rs o f the skirt are g ol d with while piping a t the rea r
and bottom edge. For ranks of Capta m a n d a b o v e an exrra g o l d la ce was worn
on the co llar, cuffs and sla sh , a n d a ls o inside the white piping on the skirt.
(Fig 11 3 ) .
Scots G uards. A s erge a n t and priva te. grena dier company. 1 789. The
un i forms a re simila r for b oth ranks except tha t th e sergeant'S lac e is
gold, th e private's wh ite . a red c o a t w ith blue fa cings a n d wh ite 1 Urn �
backs. wh ite breeches a n d wa istcoats; the cap p la t e was g i l l for sergeants,
wh ite meta l for privates. The long ta il coa t wa s w o rn up to 1 7 9 7 when
the single�breasted sh o r t ja ckets were o rd e re d to b e worn. Th e th ird
figure, an officer o f 1 800, wears a bla ck hat e dg e d w ith gold la ce, a
scarlet c o a t with dark b lue col/a r, cuffs and lapels, wh ite t urnba cks,
white wa is tc o a t and b reeches with white ga iters, a l/ la ce gold, sa sh
crimson, Th e founh figure, a sergea nt, g rena dier c ompan y , 1 8 1 2 , w ea rs
a b lack sha ko w ith white co rds a n d plume. The regimenta l b a dge is on the
sha k o p la te , this being one o f the regiments entitled to wea r special badges.

Scots G ua rds, The firs t two figures show a guardsman in th e khaki

foreign service d re s s at the stan o f the S outh A frican War. Th e wh ite
helmet was the pattern introduced in 1 8 7 7 , w o rn with a khaki
co ver and pu gg ree with a re g imental iden tifica tion pa tch o n the sides.
for the S c o ts Guards a di ced cloth sim ila r to t ha t w orn on th e H ighla n d
glengarry. Th e t w o right han d figu res sh o w a pri vate durin g th e Egyptian
campaign 1 882. A w h it e helmet with b ra ss cha in , red s e rg e ja cket with
blue collar and b rass buttons. trousers dark bl ue with red s tr ip e , black
'eather ga iters and b o o ts; the Valise equipment w a s worn, G o ggles were
issued during this campaign. The rifle wa s the Ma rtini�Henry .

50
R oya l S cots F us i l i e rs
( 2 1 st Foot)
P l ate J

T H E R oya l S c o t s F u s i l iers, fo rmed i n S c ot l a n d i n 1 6 7 8 , were known

fi rst
by the C o l o n e l 's n a m e , "The Earl of M a r 's R e g i m e n t of a l so a s
Foot",
" T h e S c o t s F u s i l i e r s R e g i m e n t " . I n 1 7 0 7 t h e reg i m e nt wa s k n o w n a s
t h e " N o rt h B r i t i s h F u s i l i e rs " rece i v i n g t h e t i t l e " R o y a l " i n 1 7 1 2 ; the
fi n a l t i t l e R oya l S c ots F u s i l i e r s , dates f r o m 1 8 7 7 . The t i t l e f u s i l i e r s wa s
g ra n t e d to reg i m e n t s w h o w e r e a rm e d w i t h t h e f u z i l ; th i s wa s a l i g h t
fl i n t l o c k m u s ket fitted w i t h a s l i n g , a n d the d u t i e s of t h e f u s i l i e r s were
to p ro t e ct t h e a rt i l l e r y .
T h e r e g i m e n t 's l o n g s e rv i c e i s s h o w n by the b a tt l e h o n o u rs w h i c h
i n c l u d e " B l e n h e i m " , " R a m i l l e s " , " O u d e n a r d e " , M a l p l a Q u e t " , " D ett i n g e n " ,
" A l m a " , " I n k e r m a n " , " S ev a s to p o l " , " S o u t h A f r i ca " , " B u r m a " .
E a r l y refe r e n c e s t o t h e u n i f o r m s s h o w t h a t w h e n ra i se d t h e reg i m e n t

Ensigns w i t h colours. and group of offic ers i n un dress un iform.

51
Drum Major. Fusilier, Sergeant Major. P iper and Colour Serg e a n t in 1 89 9 .

w o r e r e d c o a t s w i t h r e d f a c i n g s a n d g r ey b r e e c h e s a n d sto c k i n g s . T h e
fi g u re s s h o w n o n P l a t e J a l l h a v e re d c o a t s a n d t h e b l u e f a c i n g s o f a
R o ya l re g i m e n t . The o ffi c e r, J 1 , h a s b l u e l a p e l s . c u ff s a n d b r ee c h e s . a
r e d c o l l a r a n d s i l v e r l a c e , w h i l e t h e wa i stcoat i s b u ff . H e i s a rm e d w i t h a
s p o ntoo n . a w e a p o n w h i ch wa s a b a n d o n e d i n 1 7 8 6 . F i g J 2 s h o w s the
d re ss as w o r n i n 1 7 4 2 , the f u s i l i e r s ha v i ng t h e d i st i n ct i v e h e a d -d re s s
of th e g r e n a d i e r s . T h e m itre ca p wa s a l l d a r k b l u e . w i t h t h e C ro s s of S t
A n d rew a b o v e a n d t h e th i st l e b e l ow . T h e a r m s i n c l u d e a s h o r t sword
and bay o n e t . F i g s J 3 and J4 s h o w f i g u r e s o f 1 7 6 8 . J 4 d e m o n st ra t i n g t h e
m a rc h i n g o r d e r .
For the N a p o l eo n i c period. Figs J 5 . 6 a n d 7 s h o w t h e t y p e o f d re s s
w o r n i n t h e ea r l y pa rt o f the 1 9 t h c entu r y . T h e offi c e r ' s g re a t c o a t w a s
g r e y w i t h g i l t b u t to n s . F i g J 8 s h o w s a n offi c e r i n t h e e l a bo ra t e u n i f o r m
of t h e 1 8 2 0 s . t h e l a c e b e i n g go l d a n d t h e t ro u s e r s a s h a d e o f l i g h t b l u e .
T h e offi cers i n F i g s J l 0 a n d J 1 1 h a v e the l i g h t i n f a n t ry sa s h w i t h t h e
l o n g e n d s h o o k e d u p i n f r o n t . T h e f r o c k c o a t w a s d a r k b l u e w i th g i l t
e p a u l ettes and w h i te t r o u se r s , w o r n in summer.
B y 1 8 8 2 a S c o tt i s h u n i f o r m w a s b e i n g w o r n w i t h t r e w s of U n i v e r s a l
ta rta n (as fo r the B l a c k W a t c h ) . T h e l a st , F i g J 1 6 , s h o w s a p r i v a t e of
the 1 st Vo l u nte e r B a tta l i o n . The d r e s s f o l l ow e d t h a t of t h e R eg u l a r
ba t ta l i o n s . M a rc h i n g o rd e r i s s h ow n .

O fficer's B elt plate w o rn from 1 83 0 to 7 846: the

plate was gilt with a matted surface. th e grenade
b eing silv er. ( S e e also Fig J I 0) .

52
Roya l Scots F u s i liers . The first twO fig u r es s h o w a p ri v a te in foreig n
s e r v ic e m a rching order 7898. The white h elm et wa s the 1 8 7 7 pattern
wirh brass badge a n d firrings, the red ja cket h a d a blue c olla r with wh ite
piping on collar and cuffs, tartan tre w s and black b o o ts and g a i re rs ; the
equipmem was the Slade- Wa lla c e 1 888 pa ttern w ith white belts a n d
pouches, w a t e r b o ule on righ t hip, ha versa ck on left h i p , rolled blanket,
m e s s tin a n d valise at rhe back. The en trenching t o o l wa s carried in a
frog a ua ch e d to rhe wa is t belt on the left h ip; the rifle was th e L e e ­
M etford 1 88 7 p a t t e r n . Th e t h i r d fi g u r e shows a pri va te of 1 88 5 wea ring
h ome service ma rching o r de r w ith th e b la c k sea lskin head- dress an d the
m o dified pa t tern 1 8 7 5 va lise equipmem, th e va lis e was w orn l o w on th e
back with rhe m e ss tin on top. H is rifl e is a Martin i-Henry. The fourth
figure s h o w s an officer in th e un dress frock a c c o rding to the D ress R e ­
gulations o f 1 9 00. Forage c a p dark b l u e with r e d piping to t o p edge,
diced band, gold pa s s i n g braid on b la ck . peak. re d ja c k e t with blue colla r .
w h i t e piping. g i lt b u ttons, ta rtan r r e w s . b lack b o o ts, crimson s a s h . white
belt round waist w i th white s w o rd s l in g s ; the sword ha d a cross-ba r
guard in certain Sco rrish re g im en ts th e h ilt was rem o vable. For dress
occasi o n s a basket g u a rd was fitted and for other o rders of dress th e
cross bar.

A B O VE RIGHT: O ffic e r ' s Epaulette. This type. known a s a ' w in g ' , is the
pa tte rn in t r o duced in 1 82 9 It was w orn b y the fla n k company officers of
Infan try a n d all Fusilier and L ight In fa n tr y regim ents, The la c e , chains
and centre pla te were gOld, rhe centre pla te b e in g surrounded by a silver
b o rder. Infantry l i g h t company o fficers and Light In fa ntry re g im en ts h a d a
s il v e r bugle h o rn on the c en tr e plate; grena diers a n d fusiliers ha d a
silv e r grena de. Wings were I I O t w orn a frer th e dress reforms of 185 5 ,
( Fig J 1 0) , A B O V E L E F T : O ffi c e r ' s B e lt Pla te a f te r 7 8 7 7 .

53
R o y a l S cots F us i l i e rs . First fig u re. a p riva te of the 2 1 St w ea ring the last
pa ttern coatee; th is was r e d w i th b lue fa c i n g s a n d decora ted w ith white
tape. Trousers dark blue with r e d welt. the shako b lack w i t h brass
grena de b a dg e a n d a white b a ll tuft. In 1 85 6 the white ball was replaced
by a wh ite h a i r plum e. S econ d figure. officer 1 8 60. B lack sha k o w ith
w h ite plume a n d gilt g re n a d e. scarlet tunic with blue c o lla r and cuffs.
wh ite piping and gold la ce. w h i te s w o rd belt and sl in g s . g ilt h ilted
s w ord in b lack gilt m ounted scabbard. da rk b lue trousers with s ca rlet
w elt. crim s o n sa sh. T h e shako was the pa ttern w orn 1 85 5 - 1 866. th e
single-b rea sted t un ic was as describ e d in th e 1 85 7 D ress R egulations.
Third figure. 1 st A y rshire R ifl e Volun teers, 1 880- 1 8 8 7 . Helm e t da rk b l ue
with white m e ta l fittings. tun i c red w ith da rk b l u e c o l lar a n d cuffs, red
shoulder s traps. w h i te p ipin g to lo wer e dge o f c olla r a n d front of tun ic,
bla c k A u s t ria n Knot on cuffs. t r o u s e rs da rk blue. b e l t a n d pouch white.
In 1 88 7 the un it b eca m e the 1 s t Volun teer Ba t­
ta lion. R oya l S c o ts Fusiliers. a do pting the uni f o r m
of the parent regim en t except for the rac o o n skin
h ea d · dress a n d h a v ing white metal b a d g es a n d
bu t ton s . I n 1 9 08 ic b e c a m e t h e 4 th B a tta l i o n , R o y a l
S c o t s Fus iliers o f th e Territ oria l A rm y . Fo urrh
figure, p r i v a t e , 3rd A yrsh ire R ifle Volun teers , formed
on Ja n u a ry 1 9 , 1 8 60. The un i f orm w a s m edium
grey with scarlet ca p ba n d collar and cuffs. the
b ra id a n d c o rds being b la ck, the b elts , pouch and
ri fl e slin g were o f b la c k lea th er. In 1 8 6 7 a s ca r l e t
unif o rm was a d o p t e d. In D ecember 1 88 7 the unit
b ecam e t he 2n d V olunteer Ba tta lion, R oyal SCOtS
Fusiliers . b ein g a u th o rised to a dopt the uniform of
the regim e n t in 1 89 8 except for the h ea d- d re s s and
con tinuing to w ear white m e t a l ba dges a n d b u tt o n s .
O n the ch an g e to the Territoria l a rmy i n 1 9 08 it
beca m e th e 5 th B a tta lion, R oya l S cots Fu s ilie rs .

LEF T: Fus il ier in marching order. 7 9 00 , s h o wing

entrenching tool in frog o f S la de - Wa lla ce equipm ent.

54
 6

O F F I CE R FUS I LIERS O F FI C E R S E R G EA N T FUSILIER O F F I C ER

1 7 50 1 742 1 768 1 7 68 1 81 5 1 81 5 1815 1 8 20

P l ate J N B : F i g u re 2 a b ove i s rep r o d u ced i n co l o u r o n the back cover

rn
0"1

14 IS

F U S I L I ER OFFI CERS C O LO U R S G T FUSI LIER P R I VA T E

1 830 1 845 1 84 5 1 89 7 191 4 1914 1914 I Vo l unteer B n )
1 9 08
N B : F i g u re 1 2 a bove is repro d u c e d in c o l o u r G n rhe back cover
T h e C a m e ro n i a n s
( S cott i s h R i f I es)
( 2 6 t h a n d 9 0t h F o ot)
Plate K

TH E 2 6 t h F o o t w e r e ra i sed i n 1 6 89 to s u p p o r t t h e ca u s e of t h e P r i n c e
o f O ra n g e , a f te r w a r d s W i l l i a m I l l . I t wa s o n e of t h e re g i m e n t s th a t f o u g h t
u n d e r M a r l b o r o u g h a n d the ea r l i e st b a tt l e h o n o u rs a r e f o r " B l e n h e i m " ,
" R am i l les", " O u d e n a rd e " , and " M alp l aquet", f u rt h e r h o n o u rs incl ude
those f o r service i n E g y pt, S p a i n a n d C h i n a .
T h e reg i ment t h a t beca m e t h e 2 n d B a tta l i o n in 1 8 8 1 w a s t h e 9 0 t h
P e rt h s h i r e L i g ht I n fa n t r y , ra i s e d i n 1 7 9 4 . I t s f i r s t n o ta b l e ca m p a i g n
w a s i n E g ypt i n 1 80 1 , w h e re i t s e rv ed u n d e r A b e r c ro m b y . O ther b a tt l e
h o n o u rs m a rked d i st i n g u i s h e d s e r v i c e i n t h e W e s t I n d i e s a n d S e v a s t o po l .
The u n i f o r m s w o r n b y t h e C a m e ro n i a n s , a l ways f o l l o w e d t h e patte r n
of t h e E n g l i s h re g u l a r re g i m e nts . T h e y w e r e d r e s sed i n r e d u n t i l b e c o m i n g
a R if l e reg i m e n t i n 1 8 8 1 . F i g u re s K 1 , 2 , 3 a n d 4 s h o w a n offi c e r ,

serg e a n t , g re n a d i e r a n d p r i va t e o f 1 7 09 , t h e d r e s s b e i n g r e d w i th w h i t e
f a c i n g s a n d s i l v e r l a c e f o r o ff i ce r s . T h e g re n a d i e r 's c a p wa s w h ite w i t h
a r e d b a g . F i g u re s K 5 a n d 6 s h o w a n o ff i c e r a n d p r i va t e o f 1 7 9 5 , b o t h
wea r i n g w h i t e wa i stco a t s a n d bree c h e s , a nd c o a t s with pa l e ye l l ow
f a c i n g s a n d w h i t e t u r n b a c k s . The m e n 's l a ce wa s w h i t e w i th o n e b l u e
a n d two ye l l ow str i p e s ,
T h e s e rg e a n t a n d p r i va t e o f 1 8 0 9 , F i g s K 7 a n d 8 , a r e t h e sa m e c o l o u r
a s t h e p r ev i o u s fi g u re s a n d s h o w h o w t h e c h a n g e f r o m o p e n t o c l o s e d
f r o n t tu n i c a l te r e d t h e w h o l e a p pea ra n c e of t h e i n fa n t r y so l d i e r . T h e
serg e a n t ' s s a s h i s c r i m s o n w i t h a pa l e ye l l ow c e n t r a l st r i p e . D u r i n g t h e
C r i mea n Wa r t h e c o a t e e w a s f o u n d u n s u i ta b l e a n d a n e w d o u b l e -b r e a s t e d
tu n i c wa s i n t ro d u ced . H ow e v e r , th i s w a s soon changed to t h e s i n g l e -

1 . O ff i c e r .

2 . S e rg e a n t .

3 . G re n a d i e r .
4. M us ketee r .
A l l 1 7 09

P l ate K

56
breasted sty l e s h own on Figs K9 and 1 0 . The o t h e r f i g u r e s on t h i s
plate s h o w t h e R i fle u n i f o r m of R i f l e G re e n w i t h g r e e n fa c i n g s a n d b l a ck
l a c e . The first ta rta n fo r the trews w e r e of U n i v e rsa l p atte rn , b u t i n
1 89 1 D o u g l a s ta rta n w a s a u t h o r i se d a n d t h e s h a ko , a s i n F i g K 1 3 , was
ta k<l n i nto u s e i n 1 89 2 .
An o l d c u s t o m o f the reg i m e n t w a s t h a t t h e 1 S I B a t ta l i o n a l wa y s took
th e i r r i fl e s to c h u r c h pa ra d e s i n ca m p and a p i c q u et wa s s e n t o u t . The
serv i c e s t a rt e d w h e n t h e c o l o ne l rece i v e d the " a l l c l ea r " re p o rt f r o m
the p i c q u et . Th i s d a ted f ro m the days w h e n t h e reg i m e n t w a s fi rst
f o r m e d . E v e ry P re s byte r i a n re c r u i t was g i v e n a B i b l e on j o i n i n g .

P l ate K

o . O ffi c e r
( 2 6 th F o ot ) .
1 795.

6 . P r i va t e
1 2 6 th Foot ) .
1 79 5 ) .

7 . Sergeant
1 2 6t h Foot )
1 809 .
8 . P r i vate
( 2 6th Footl .
1 809 .

�:lE;;>�����':�]1
®
A B O VE R I G H T : Private 's ja cket ( s e e a lso Fig K8) w orn du ring the first
part of the 1 9 t h Cen wry . T he jacket was red with yello w cuffs. c o lla r and
shoulder straps. T h e buttons a n d la c e were in pairs. the regim en ta l l a c e
wa s wh ite. i: in . w ide. wi th on e b l u e a n d t w o yell o w stripes. The wrnback
e d g e o f th e skirt was white e d g e d w ith regim ema l la ce. The wfts a t th e
en d of th e sho ulder strap w ere red. white. red. A B O VE CEN TRE: The
buttons w ere of p e w ter and flat. the y e l l o w o f the 26th R egimen t ' s
{a cings w e r e k n o wn as d u l l yello w . A ls o sh own i s deta il of la ce pattern .
CEN TRE TOP: R egimen ta l badge as at 1 9 1 4. A B O VE LEF T : O fficer's
h ea d - dress (see a lso Fig K 1 3 ) . This sha ko repla ced the helm e t in 1 89 2 .
O f dark R ifle G r e en C I 0 1h . it had bands o f b la ck thistle la c e a t top a n d
b a s e . The co rds w e r e black. a s a lso w a s t h e peak. p l u m e . and c h i n s trap.

57
The first three figures show a priva te of th e 2 6th Foot ( Ca m eronians) in
1 742, b a s e d on the figure g i v en in the 1 74 2 Clo thing B o ok, The c oa t
wa s red with pale y eJ/ o w lapels, cuffs and turnba cks w ith th e b u ttons
on lapels and cuffs sh o w n in groups of thre e , th e waistcoa t and breeches
w ere red, The fourth figure sh o ws a pri vate of th e 2 5 th ( King 's O wn
S cottish B orderers) of the sa me period, the uniform wa s a ll re d with
deep yeJ/o w lapels, cuffs and turnbacks, but differe d from the 2 6th b y
ha ving regim en ta l lace o n la pels, cuffs, p o c k e t s a n d waistcoa t. this lace
bein g white with one red and one blue z igza g s rripe, For b o th regim ents
the a rms ca rried were a m usket. so cke t bayonet and sh o rt s w ord.

The four figures sh o w a grena dier of the 2 6th Foot in 1 75 1 . Th e first

figure shows the lapels o f th e c oa t b u t ton e d a cross, in th is order the
waist belt was worn o ver the coat. the second and third figures a re in
fuJ/ ma rching order, the fourth figure a lso in ma rching order but w ith the
waist belt being worn over th e righ t shoulder. Th e un iform was a red
coat with pa le yello w lapels, cuffs and turnbacks, red waistcoi;U and

58
breeches. the regim ental lace was white wirh a thin stripe of white nea r
ea ch e dge: t h e h ea d-dress wa s pale y ello w w ith white GR and scroll with
cro wn above in proper colours. the sma ll flap wa s red with the Whire
H o rse o f Han n o ver and m o tto. "Nec A spera Terrent. " the rufr was white.

>
'"

o
v u
-'"
a> u
'"
Vl ..a
0::
w
c
o
U
::l

.2
u..

o
u..

0" o
en .�
'0
<I>
o
:J
'0
o
0.
z �
�w '"� .,
>
'"

u.. 0
-' �

.0
0:: "'
M A B O VE: R ifleman of the
Cam e r o n ians In 1 89 0-5ee
� Fig K t 2 on left.
a:: :J
Wo .9
u ", LL

tEo � co
z

P l ate K

59
T h e S e afo rt h H i g h l a n d e rs
( R o ss - s h i r e B uffs,
T h e D u ke of A l b a n y ' s )
(7 2 n d a n d 7 8 t h F o o t )
P l ate H , p a g e 32

T H E 1 st B a tta l i o n wa s ra i s e d i n 1 7 7 8 a s t h e 7 8 t h H i g h l a n d e r s a n d w a s
r e n u m be re d 7 2 n d i n 1 7 8 6 . B ot h t h e 1 st a n d 2 n d B a tta l i o n s , w h i c h w e re
f o r m ed in 1 7 9 3 , were ra i se d b y t h e E a r l s of S e a f o rt h . The batt l e h o n o u rs
b o r n e on the c o l o u rs show t h a t m u c h of t h e re g i m e n t ' s se rv i ce ha s
bee n s p e n t i n I n d i a a n d n a m e s s u c h as " C a rn a t i c " ,
" M yso re "
and
" H i n d o o sta n " a n d t h e b a d g e of t h e E l e p h a n t . s u p e r s c r i bed " A ssaye " ,
s h o w the g r e a t e x t e n t o f t h e r e g i m e n t ' s service s .
T h e d r e s s o f the reg i m e n t w h e n first ra i sed i s shown b y F i g s H 1 t o H 4 .
T h e coat w a s r e d w i t h d e e p b u ff f a c i n g s a n d with s i l v e r l a ce f o r officers .

A group of m en of the 2nd B a t ta lion p l C lU r e d on sum m er ma n o e u v res In

7 898. The standing men a re th e " s ta n d-by ' m embers of the gua rd. N o : e
the dutv b ugler w i th ba n dsma n " s ' w ings ' and lace. Th e pipe - clav whi c h
has rubbed off from the b e l t s on to t h e t un ics is n o , iceable. Th e recum -
b e n t figures a re in 'he white drill shell ja ckets.
T h e o ffi c e r ( H 1 ) a n d t h e s e r g e a n t of t h e l i g h t c o m p a n y ( H 2 ) h a v e b l a c k
b e l t s , wh i l e t h e n e x t two fig u re s s h o w p r i va t e s of t h e l i g ht a n d g r e n a d i e r
c o m p a n i e s w i t h w h i t e be l t s . All wea r t h e M a c K e n z i e ta rta n . The next
t h re e fi g u res s h o w an s e r g e a n t a n d p r i v a t e o f 1 8 1 6 i n f o re i g n
offi c e r ,
s e r v i c e d re s s , t h e e i g h th f i g u r e b e i n g i n h o m e s e rv i ce o r d e r . T h e w h ite
p l u m e a n d the w i n g s o n t h e c o a t d e n o te a g r e na d i e r .
F r o m 1 8 09 to 1 8 2 5 t h e re g i m e n t w o r e t h e u n i f o r m of t h e l i n e r e g i m e n t s
a n d fig u re s H9 t o H 1 3 s h o w t h e ret u rn to H i g h l a n d d re s s b u t w i th trews
i n stea d o f the k i l t . The ta rta n was S t u a rt . F i g s H 1 0 a n d H 1 1 show the
d i ff e r e n c e b e t w e e n t h e g re n a d i e r a n d l i g h t c o m p a n i e s as a g a i n st the
batta l i o n c o m p a n y shown in Fig H 1 2 . T h e p l u m e s w e r e white f o r the
g re n a d i e r s , green for the l ight compa ny. The g re n a d i e r s and l i g ht
company had wings on th e i r ja c ke t s . The b a tta l i o n m a n h a s s h o u l d e r
stra p s e n d i n g i n s m a I I t u f t s .
In 1 8 8 1 t h e reg i m ent re t u r n ed to f u l l H i g h l a n d d re s s w i t h t h e k i l t ,
t h e ta rta n b e i n g M a c K e n z i e . T h e b a d g e a n d m o t t o of t h e reg i m e n t
" C u i d i c h ' n R i g h " i s sa i d to d a te f r o m 1 2 6 6 . W h e n K i n g A l exa n d e r I I o f
Scot l a n d wa s hunting, he w a s knocked down and sava ged by a s ta g .
Col in F i tz g e ra l d rushed u p a n d st r u c k o ff t h e sta g 's h ea d . T h e K i n g
g r a n ted F i tz g e ra l d a c o a t of a r m s of a sta g ' s h e a d w i t h m otto " C u i d i c h 'n
R i g h " ( H e l p t h e K i n g ) . O n e of t h e F i tz g e ra l d ' s d e s c e n d a n t s l a te r b e c a m e
t h e f i r s t E a r l of S e a f o rth .

Rank a n d fil e fea t h e r bon n e t badge of 72nd F o o l .

W o rn f r o m 1 82 5 to 1 88 1 . it was m a de of brass
stamped out in o n e piece. These b a dges were
w orn on the left side o f Ihe b o n n e t at the ba se
o f Ihe regim en/al fea ther. A B O VE: O ffic ers of the
3rd B n . Seaforth Highlan ders, 1 9 00. when this
M i litia ba ttalion was sent to Egypt to release a
regula r line ba ttalIOn f o r service in S o u th A frica .
Th is baualion was not issued with kha ki uniform .

61
Th e s e f o u r fig ures represen t I h e c l o lh ing of the 7 2 n d High lan ders in
1 80 5 . The officer on th e left is f r om a B a ttalion c ompa n y a n d is in
ma rc hing o rder; he wea rs a blue b o nn et w i th diced b o r der. fea thers a n d
white o v e r red hackle. red c o a t w i t h y ello w colla r an d cuffs. silv er
Duttons a n d epa uleues. crimson s a sh . white cross be l t with silver pla t e .
g r e y pa n ta lo ons a n d b lack Hess ia n boots. The next th r e e figu res sh o w a
sergea n t of a ba ttalion c ompa n y in drill order. a c o rporal grena d ier com ­
pan y in ma rch ing o rder a n d a priva te. battalion company in revie w o rd e r .
The c l o t h in g for the regimen t wa s a b o n n e t w i th red a n d white hackle
for ba tta lion companies. w h it e for grena dier a n d green f o r ligh t com­
pan ies . red coats with yellow c o l/a r and cuffs. white la ce for sergea n ts.
regim enta l lace for o the r ranks. w ings for g re n a di er a n d lig h t companies.
red a n d whi t e s t o c k ings. Kilt o f B la c k Watch taf(an w ith red a n d white
o verstripes. goa t skin spo rran w it h white tails. The belts were while.

TOP R I G H T: R eg i m en ta l b a dge from 1 88 1 .

LO WEH R I G H T: Full dress ia cker . Light Compa ny
O fficer. 1 8 1 7 - 1 828. Th is was o f s ca rle t c l o th
w i t h b uff colla r . cuffs. la pels a n d turnbacks. G ilt
b u ttons w ere in oa irs with buff Silk cord lin es ex­
ten dmg f ro m t h e bu ttons. th e p ip in g on the
pocket flaps a n d skirt. buff. The " w ings " w ere
scarlel. edged with gold la ce. a n d the shoulder
sc ra p s were go ld la ce with a silver bugle badge.
B E L O W : Ty p e o f offlcer's s w o r d h i lt . o f a pattern
introduced a b o u t 1 834. A ltho ug h the A rm y D r ess
R eg u la tions call the h igh la n d s w o rd a Cla ym o r e .
the type sh o wn has a basket h ilt a n d is m ore cor­
rec Uy describ e d as a b ro a ds w o rd. B E L O W LEFT:
B on n e t ba dge of 78th Foot. 1870.
T O P : O fficers of the 2 n d
B n . S ea forth H ig h lan de rs
in 7 89 9 with the Lieu­
tenant- Colonel Com­
man ding sea ted in the
centre. Vl ftua lly all
v a ria tions of dr e ss are
sh o wn in cluding drill
shell iacket ( s e c on d
righ t. rear ro w ) . Levee
dress ( on Colonel ' s
le ft) . R e view O rder. a n d
the blue serge frock
w ith patch pockets.
A B O VE : A Maxim m a ­
chine gu n section of 7 st
B a na li o n . The S eaforth
H igh lan ders. pic tured
on summer manoeu vres
in 7 8 9 9 . The m achin e
gun carriage could be
mule or hand dra wn. the
drag ro p es b e in g
attached for th e la tt er
purpose. Note how the
a m m u n ition locker topS
fold forward t o pro vide
a s h iel d: the n e t is to
catc h emptY car rr idg e
cases. LEFT: P o s t in g a
s entry. c. 1 9 00. Colour
Sergeant is at left ( with
g o l d lace stripes) .
 Th e s e figu re s are taken from c o n temp o ra ry prims a n d s h o w h o w c o n ­
'in en ta l a rtists p o rtra y e d tlie Highla n d s o ld i ers ser ving i n Eur ope i n t h e
lII iddle o f t h e 1 8th century. The drum m e r a n d piper. probably represen ting
Keith 's and Ca mpb e / l " s Highlanders c o w a rds che end of ch e S e ven Yea rs
War ( 1 7 5 6 - 1 7 6 3 ) a r e w ea ring u n i l o rm which w ould be simila r co che
B la ck Wa cch o f the same period. The third figure is a privace o f th e B la c k
Wa tch ; his h e a d- dres s i s sh own a s a b l u e b o n n e t wich re d b a n d. h is jac k e t
red with buff c u ffs, B la c k W a c c h tarcan. red a n d wh ite s to ckings, Th e
fouf1h figure is from a p r in t published in M ila n and intends to s h o w a
High lan d s oldier of the B riCl sh a r m y fighting in aid of th e Q u een o f
Hungary a n d B oh e m ia again s c rhe Fren ch i n 1 74 5 , T h e coloured princ
sh ows a sky blue h ea d - d r e s s . red c o a t. l ight b rown b elts and purse. while
and red sto ckings, The tartan do es not agree with a n y kn o w n pa ttern .

The firs£. s ec o n d a n d fo urth figures b as e d on a con temporary German

prin t illus tra te the clothing w o rn b y K e it h 's a n d Campbel l ' s High lan ders,
These regim ents. ra ised in 1 7 59. were numbered the 8 7th and 88ch Foot;
both reg im en t s were reduced in 1 7 63. The uniform was b el ie v e d to have
b een simila r to th a t worn by the B la c k Wa tch. Th e th ird is a priva ce of the
B la ck Wa tch in 1 742. based on the figure s h o w n in th e 1 742 Clo thin g
B o ok.

64

L
14: P r ivate. S cots G u a rds. 1 742. J2: F u s i l i e r . R o y a l Scots F u s i l i e r s . 1 74 2 . H 3 :
T r o o p e r . R o y a l Scots G re y s . 1 7 5 8 . J 1 2: Officer: R o y a l Scots F u s i l i e r s . 1 89 7 . K 1 3 :
O ff i c e r . T h e C a m e r o n i a n s . 1 9 1 4 .

S C O TT I S H R E G I M E N T S
A N D U N I FO R M S 1 660- 1 91 4
( S e c o n d E d i t i o n , R ev i sed a n d E x pa n d e d )

by
A . H. B o w l i ng

A c o n c i se b u t c o m p r e h e n s i ve g u i d e to th e fa m o u s r e g i m e n t s
o f S c ot l a nd , n o w p u b l i sh e d i n a new f o r m a t w i t h 1 30 fi g u re s
shown in col o u r , 3 2 a d d i t i o n a l g r o u ps o f u n i fo r m d ra w i n g s
s h o w i n g r e g u l a r , m i l i t i a , a n d te r r i to r i a l u n i ts , a n d d o z e n s o f
d et a i l d r a w i n g s a n d r a r e p h o t o g r a p h s .

I S B N 0 8 5 5 2 4 042 3 ( ha rd cover e d i t i o n )
I S B N 0 85524 043 1 ( pa p e r covered e d i t i o n )

U K pri c e ALMA R K
£ 1 . 0 0 n e t - paper covers P U B LI CATI O N S