Quote Originally Posted by Biathlonman View Post
One more idea then I'll lay this to rest. One could put a tartan patch on the left side of one's helmet and Puggaree - "scotchifying" it to use a terrible word. Tartan would match your kilt of course. Same would apply equally to one's bush/slouch hat.

Not sure one's clan badge would look good on the front where a regimental one was placed in the pre-Khaki era.
What you describe was the standard way unit insignia were worn on Pith Helmets in the Scottish regiments at various times in their service of the empire. The photos that follow come from two sources: (1) Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders, by Alastair Campbell of Airds, Tempus Publishing 2005, a collection of photographs fro the Regimental Museum at Stirling Castle, and (2) Regiment Magazine, Issue 32, Sept/Oct 1998.

This is a photo of Kit Layout for Inspection, 1926, A&SH p. 56. This clearly shows the tartan badge backing and white hackle on the pith helmet, referred to in the text as a Solar Topee. This is one of the best views of the way the badge backing and hackle were affixed.



Here is a photo of an Argyll private, also clearly showing the configuration, this time in Cairo between the wars. This photo is from the Regiment Magazine spread.



Another private, another view:



Here's the CO sporting the look, in Regiment Magazine:



Also in Egypt--A&SH p. 51. "An attempt to enforce the disarming of two Egyptian battalions led to a vicious action in which one officer and five other ranks were killed and seven wounded. The Acting CO, Maj. J.R. Couper, was awarded the DSO and Privates G. McLeod (left) and J. Wright (right) received Military Medals.



The Prince of Wales inspects the 91st A&SH 1st Bn in Poona, 19 November 1921, A&SH p. 50. "The Prince's combination of Tropical and Home Service uniform earned him a rocket from his father."



The same badge backing/hackle arrangement for the 2d Bn A&SH in India, Regiment Magazine:



However, no badge backing or white hackle in evidence in the Tochi Valley, Waziristan in 1897, Regiment Magazine:



However, the badge backing is present on the Argyll's pith helmets in Waziristan in 1937, A&SH p. 63: