Glengarry Question

[Herr Doktor]

"Red/white/black dicing is a modern civilian thing."

No, the 48th Highlanders of Canada wear the red, white and black dicing on their Glengarry as well as on their feather bonnet. The kilt hose is woven in the same pattern as well. Since 1891.

[OC Richard]

Interesting about the 48th Highlanders. I always should add, when I post, that I'm speaking of the Scottish regiments of Scotland.

Every time I post something about Scottish uniform, somebody posts "well the South Saskatoon Highlanders wore such-and-such" or whatnot and I have to admit I know little of Dominion regiments.

I might point out that that photo is black and white, from which colours cannot be ascertained. Any clear closeup colour photos?

Anyhow, here are some photos which highlight some of the points I made above.

Here are Royal Scots Fusiliers brothers, one a piper, one not, showing the mixing of diced and undiced Glens in the same unit:



And here, a collection of Pipe Majors and Drum Majors in India. Note the Drum Major of the Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders wearing the regiment's distinctive red & white diced Glengarry, while the Pipe Major's is plain.

Also the Drum Major of the Seaforth Highlanders is wearing that regiment's diced Glengarry while of course the Pipe Major's is plain (as are all pipers').

One can also see that the Drum Majors of the Black Watch and the Cameron Highlanders in plain Glengarries, like their entire regiments.



And as to Glengarries being seen on the heads of civilian before their adoption by the pipers of the Cameron Highlanders, here is the Chief of Clan Murray in 1822



and worn by Angus MacKay, the earliest clear image of a Glengarry I can find

[Herr Doktor]

"Interesting about the 48th Highlanders. I always should add, when I post, that I'm speaking of the Scottish regiments of Scotland.

Every time I post something about Scottish uniform, somebody posts "well the South Saskatoon Highlanders wore such-and-such" or whatnot and I have to admit I know little of Dominion regiments."

There are a great many Scottish Highland military regiments all over the world, except the USA of course. One must not neglect them just because they are not in Scotland proper. Not being in Scotland does not make them any the less 'Scottish'.


" I might point out that that photo is black and white, from which colours cannot be ascertained. Any clear closeup colour photos?"

Having been explained that the colours of the dicing are red, white and black, one can should be able to discern them in the black and white photograph. But here is a colour picture none the less to remove the doubt.

[OC Richard]

The dark squares look greenish to me. Maybe it's just the photo. I suppose I'll have to see one in person one day.

Of course here in the US we did have a Highland regiment



but it was only around from 1858 until c1880.

I forget oftentimes to specify, but always when I speak of "Highland regiments" or "Scottish regiments" or "the Army" or "military" I'm referring to British units unless otherwise specified.

[macwilkin]

US Forces have also had a number of pipe bands, including the US Air Force and USAF Reserves, the Sixth Army, 360th Regiment, 91st Division (US Army Reserve), the 7th Cavalry Regiment, The US Military Academy and the US Naval Academy, as well as the US Marine Detachment stationed in Londonderry, Northern Ireland during the Second World War, just to name a few. There are also unofficial bands of the Marines and Coast Guard.

T.

[OC Richard]

US Forces have also had a number of pipe bands.

Just to be clear, the quote I was responding to was not about pipe bands, it was the statement "there are a great many Scottish Highland regiments all over the world except for the USA of course".

As far as I know, the 79th New York in the 1858-1861 period was the only US unit to issue Highland Dress with kilts as standard uniform (for its initial companies, not the additional companies raised in 1861 to bring the regiment up to full strength for war service, who were issued tartan trousers).

[macwilkin]

Just to be clear, the quote I was responding to was not about pipe bands, it was the statement "there are a great many Scottish Highland regiments all over the world except for the USA of course".

As far as I know, the 79th New York in the 1858-1861 period was the only US unit to issue Highland Dress with kilts as standard uniform (for its initial companies, not the additional companies raised in 1861 to bring the regiment up to full strength for war service, who were issued tartan trousers).

There are some references to antebellum militia companies in Charleston, New Orleans and San Francisco wearing Highland kit, but so far I haven't found anything that confirms it. The hunt goes on...

T.