Balmoral Highlanders silver

[Rab1]

These don't look like BH accoutrements. What is the source?

Yes they are Robb of Ballater plaid brooch EIR 103 and belt buckle,EIR 1904 the cap badge and shoulder belt is a pipers and are obvious earlier,I have the Dirk and a set of silver buttons 1870 and a set of plated buttons which were supplied to Robb, I’m having problems posting photos not really computer minded

[figheadair]

Yes they are Robb of Ballater plaid brooch EIR 103 and belt buckle,EIR 1904 the cap badge and shoulder belt is a pipers and are obvious earlier,I have the Dirk and a set of silver buttons 1870 and a set of plated buttons which were supplied to Robb, I’m having problems posting photos not really computer minded

How interesting. Do the 1870 buttons have a maker's mark? They are unlikely to be BH at that date as Macleay's Highlanders of Scotland published that year makes no mention is made of The
Balmoral Highlanders, rather the subjects of the Balmoral portraits are referred to as 'The Retainers belonging to the Queen’s Highland Estate'.

In 1887, the Golden Jubilee Year, the Braemar Gathering was held at Balmoral and this is widely agreed as the debut of what we now recognise as The Balmoral Highlanders.

[Rab1]

How interesting. Do the 1870 buttons have a maker's mark? They are unlikely to be BH at that date as Macleay's Highlanders of Scotland published that year makes no mention is made of The
Balmoral Highlanders, rather the subjects of the Balmoral portraits are referred to as 'The Retainers belonging to the Queen’s Highland Estate'.

In 1887, the Golden Jubilee Year, the Braemar Gathering was held at Balmoral and this is widely agreed as the debut of what we now recognise as The Balmoral Highlanders.

The silver buttons are Lumsden and co Aberdeen, plated are Firmin and son London,

[Rab1]

The silver buttons are Lumsden and co Aberdeen, plated are Firmin and son London,

Balmoral Highlanders buttons

[Rab1]

The silver buttons are Lumsden and co Aberdeen, plated are Firmin and son London,

[Rab1]

[Rab1]

Pair of dirks one Balmoral Highlanders the other a dress dirk

[figheadair]

These are similar to, but not quite the same, as the Robb 1903 ones that are part of the STA/BRHS BH uniform.





Compare to the the uniform in Banchory Museum



• Belt Buckle - All three are different. Central space is circle, oval and rectangle.
• Plaid Brooch - Banchory and yours match, the STA/BRHS is different.

It's interesting that there appears to have been no standardisation. It would be fascinating to compare other sets from the period.

[Rab1]

These are similar to, but not quite the same, as the Robb 1903 ones that are part of the STA/BRHS BH uniform.





Compare to the the uniform in Banchory Museum



• Belt Buckle - All three are different. Central space is circle, oval and rectangle.
• Plaid Brooch - Banchory and yours match, the STA/BRHS is different.

It's interesting that there appears to have been no standardisation. It would be fascinating to compare other sets from the period.

I think all the sets are quite similar but no pieces are the same, how many uniforms do you know off?, Probably quite a few have been split bit of a shame really, What pieces do you think are the hardest to find? Do you know of any pieces that are available?

[figheadair]

I think all the sets are quite similar but no pieces are the same, how many uniforms do you know off?, Probably quite a few have been split bit of a shame really, What pieces do you think are the hardest to find? Do you know of any pieces that are available?

Robb made 25 sets of accoutrements in 1903 to accompany 25 uniforms that were issued in numbered boxes. I know the whereabouts of some or all of 4 sets. One other was bought at auction by an American for about £10k a few years ago; he then sold off all the silverware for profit, I managed to pick up the kilt and plaid for the STA. There were also some older uniforms, probably from the late 1870s, some or all of which had accessories by Kirkwood but I don't know how many were made. And then, there was an outfit made for Prince Albert Edward/Edward VII with, I believe, silver work by Kirkwood. The sgian dubh has an ivory handle and is an absolutely beauty, it belongs to a friend.

I'm not aware of any pieces currently available.