Quote Originally Posted by Bob C.
It goes deeper than that. The Black Watch is actually offensive to some Irish nationalists because of conflicts that occurred while members of that regiment were stationed in Northern Ireland.
My understanding of the situation, although limited, was that the Black Watch government tartan was worn by the "Black and Tans," amongst others. The Black and Tans were "beasts of the lowest degree," according to the eyewitness descriptions of their activities on behalf of the British crown in pre-republic Ireland in the years between the end of WWI and the partition of Ireland. They were very greatly despised. A friend of mine who was first in Ireland in the 1970's said that an aunt of his - whose family members remained there as contrasted with thousands who emigrated to North America during those immediate pre-Republic days - would get absolutely flintey-eyed when speaking about the Black and Tans' depredations at a time when she would have been a teenager.

From a popular song of an early era of the 20th Century:
"Come on out ye Black and Tans
Come and fight me, like a man
Show your wife how you won medals
Down in Flanders
Tell her how the IRA
Made you run, like Hell, away
From the green and lovely lanes
Of Killeshandra"

There are still Irish-Americans in our region who cringe or turn away when they see anyone dressed in Black Watch. It's interesting that this is the tartan of choice for an Ancient Order of Hibernians pipe band in a nearby town. Their response to the Black and Tans debate? Many a brave Irish lad saw military service in such dress . . .

Mac