Regimental Leg Tattoos?

**BoldHighlander** · 12th June 10, 12:23 AM

I thought about placing this one in How to Accessorize your Kilt (or maybe The Heraldry Forum ) but just decided to place it here instead.

Anyhow, over in the thread Canada's Highland Regiments I first mentioned this, but wanted to expand the question & thus thought it'd be better served in it's own thread.

I recently ran across an interesting photo & thought I'd share it and the story behind it with the rabble.

Kiltmaker Robert MacDonald of Vancouver, BC; is a former Seaforth (Highlanders of Canada) and on the belts & blades section of his website is the following photo & caption which I wish to share here:

In most regiments, the use of the sgean dubh is restricted to pipers, serjeants and officers. This has been circumvented by the ever-resourceful 'jocks' with the introduction of the 'Regimental tattoo'.

In the Seaforth's, this takes the form of the Regimental badge tattooed on the right calf and placed so that the top portion is visible above the stocking. The Coronet and Cypher look somewhat like a sgean dubh with the advantage that airport security doesn't pitch a blue fit about it!

Interesting.

My question:
is this practiced by any other kilted regiments (not just in Canada but anywhere in the world), and if so does anyone have any photos of these leg/calf tattoos they would be willing to share?

**Tobus** · 12th June 10, 07:55 AM

This isn't a regimental tattoo, but I know one member here that actually has a sgian dubh tattooed on his calf, right where it would be if he were actually wearing one in his hose.

**BoldHighlander** · 12th June 10, 03:55 PM

Originally Posted by Tobus

This isn't a regimental tattoo, but I know one member here that actually has a sgian dubh tattooed on his calf, right where it would be if he were actually wearing one in his hose.

You know, I think I remember reading about that here before

On a related note, I knew a Mackay out of Texas who had the clan badge tatt'ed on the side of his right calf as well.

**Macman** · 12th June 10, 05:46 PM

OT, Terry, but when my daughter and I were getting matching tattoos, there was a young man from The Canadian Scottish Regiment (Princess Mary's) getting the full regimental crest on his back. It was one big tattoo!
He recognized my Hunting Stewart kilt, and I recognized his tattoo!

**BoldHighlander** · 12th June 10, 07:01 PM

Originally Posted by Macman

OT, Terry, but when my daughter and I were getting matching tattoos,

The family that gets tattoo'ed together stays together

If I remember correctly you served in the Canadian Scottish, correct?
Did you ever see anyone with the regimental crest on their calf?

**MacCathmhaoil** · 12th June 10, 10:56 PM

I knew one drummer I played with years ago who had a a wee Kilroy tattoo that peeked out over hise hose tops. I've been thinking recently of getting a hose top tatt, just can't decide what to get....

**macwilkin** · 13th June 10, 03:26 AM

The webmaster of the Calgary Highlanders tells a story of having a thistle tattooed on his right leg, which caused the crew of "Legends of the Fall" much consternation, as it peeked above his hose. A number of the Calgary Highlanders served as extras portraying the 10th CEF in the movie.

Sadly, the article, which was on canadiansoldiers.com, is no longer available.

T.

**Macman** · 13th June 10, 09:48 AM

Originally Posted by BoldHighlander

The family that gets tattoo'ed together stays together

If I remember correctly you served in the Canadian Scottish, correct?
Did you ever see anyone with the regimental crest on their calf?

Yes, my daughter really wanted to get a thistle tattoo with me. We went out for drinks afterwards!

Terry, I was in the regiment for a short time many years ago (early seventies). At that time I don't remember seeing very many tattoos on anyone in the regiment, and never a regimental crest or a calf tattoo. There were a few with forearm tattoos, but that was it. Things may be different now.

**BoldHighlander** · 13th June 10, 10:24 AM

Originally Posted by cajunscot

The webmaster of the Calgary Highlanders tells a story of having a thistle tattooed on his right leg, which caused the crew of "Legends of the Fall" much consternation, as it peeked above his hose. A number of the Calgary Highlanders served as extras portraying the 10th CEF in the movie.

Sadly, the article, which was on canadiansoldiers.com, is no longer available.

T.

That's to bad Todd, I would've liked to have read it. My favorite scene in LOTF is when the Highlander kicks the soccer ball out of the trench with flares flying overhead

Originally Posted by Macman

Yes, my daughter really wanted to get a thistle tattoo with me. We went out for drinks afterwards!

Terry, I was in the regiment for a short time many years ago (early seventies). At that time I don't remember seeing very many tattoos on anyone in the regiment, and never a regimental crest or a calf tattoo. There were a few with forearm tattoos, but that was it. Things may be different now.

That's pretty cool. I wasn't getting inked at the time, but went with my nephew as moral encouragement on his inaugural visit

Yeah, sounds like things might be a wee bit different today (tattoos themselves more popular in all walks of life).