Colonel in a Highland Regiment

[Nathan]

I have heard it said that those who have attained the rank of Colonel in Highland Regiments are entitled to wear certain things that the average shmo cannot. For example, I have been told that they are granted the same priviledges as armigers. Does anybody know if this is the case? Trying to separate custom from legend.

Thanks!

Nathan

[Chas]

What privileges do armigers have? In theory, by virtue of holding the King's commission, all officers could have been armigers.

[JSFMACLJR]

Perhaps, Nathan, you are referring to the Colonel of a Highland regiment having his ensigns armorial ( if he indeed he is armigerous ) borne by the Pipe Major on a pipe banner.

[JohntheBiker]

Perhaps, Nathan, you are referring to the Colonel of a Highland regiment having his ensigns armorial ( if he indeed he is armigerous ) borne by the Pipe Major on a pipe banner.

I have seen the Colonel's clan badge on the Pipe Major's pipe banner - former C.O. of the 48th Highlanders, Lt. Col. MacEwen - recognized the MacEwen badge (married one of those).

[Nathan]

I think I was told Colonels could wear a single eagle feather in their bonnet due to the fact that their command of a certain number of Highlanders was similar to an armiger or perhaps even a chieftain. Again, I'm vague on the details and was hoping someone else may be familiar with this convention.

[Chas]

I think someone has been pulling your leg, Nathan. Uniform is after all uniform and Queens Regulations, like US Army Regulations cover it.

Not all Peers and children of Peers in the British forces become officers.

I was in basic training with a Right Honourable James Golding (son of a Peer); was 'walking out' with a WRAF who was a Right Honourable Lady Jane (but was known as Bubbles); I was in-charge of training a SAC who was a Viscount (in his own right, not a curtsey title). None of them were accorded any exception to the uniform regulations.

[Nathan]

I think someone has been pulling your leg, Nathan. Uniform is after all uniform and Queens Regulations, like US Army Regulations cover it.

Not all Peers and children of Peers in the British forces become officers.

I was in basic training with a Right Honourable James Golding (son of a Peer); was 'walking out' with a WRAF who was a Right Honourable Lady Jane (but was known as Bubbles); I was in-charge of training a SAC who was a Viscount (in his own right, not a curtsey title). None of them were accorded any exception to the uniform regulations.

Fair point, but the people I heard this from weren't talking about uniform regulations. They were talking about individuals who have achieved the rank of Colonel in a Highland Regiments being entitled to a similar feathers with their civilian Highland attire. The idea being that the Colonel of a Highland Regiment earned similar status to that which a Scottish chieftain inherits.

[figheadair]

Fair point, but the people I heard this from weren't talking about uniform regulations. They were talking about individuals who have achieved the rank of Colonel in a Highland Regiments being entitled to a similar feathers with their civilian Highland attire. The idea being that the Colonel of a Highland Regiment earned similar status to that which a Scottish chieftain inherits.

I've never heard of it and I was one. But then again, I don't wear a bonnet unless it rains and I certainly woudn't wear eagle feathers which are a post-Culloden adoption/affectation.

[Nathan]

I've never heard of it and I was one. But then again, I don't wear a bonnet unless it rains and I certainly woudn't wear eagle feathers which are a post-Culloden adoption/affectation.

This is a really interesting article about feathers in bonnets that I found online. It doesn't mention Colonels, however, it does mention Clan society commissioners in their own jurisdiction which I had not seen.

http://www.clanstrachan.org/trust/li...hers_Agnew.pdf

[Chas]

Thanks for clarifying. But I still think it is fantasy rather than fact. There is no entitlement, only convention and accepted manner of behaviour.

If for no other reason that we are talking about career soldiers, who know 'The Rules'. Three feathers for The Chief; two feathers for a Chieftain; one feather for an armiger. If they were not a Chief, Chieftain nor Armiger, I cannot see them being crass enough to wear feathers.