Regimental Nicknames and Traditions of the British Army

by Anonymous

Regimental Tartan.

Head-dress, Feather bonnet, scarlet, white and green diced border, scarlet hackle.

White sporran with five black tassels.

Blue glengarry cap.

Regimental March, "Highland Laddie."

The Pipers wear the feather bonnet the same as the men, being the only pipers to do so.

Allied Regiments:

5th Regiment "Royal Highlanders of Canada," and 1st Bn. New South Wales Scottish Rifle Regiment, Australia.

THE BLACK WATCH (Royal Highlanders)

The 1st Battalion (42nd Foot) was raised in 1730 from six independent companies of Highlanders for the protection of Edinburgh, as a regiment of the watch. In 1751, it was numbered the 42nd. On becoming amalgamated, the bright colours in the tartans were extracted, leaving only the dark green ground as a tartan, and from this circumstance rose the title "The Black Watch." In 1794, for gallant conduct at the battle of Guildermalsen, in Holland, it won the "red hackle" (or plume) which is worn in the men's feather bonnets.