Feather Hackles

[planemaker]

In the British Army, the Canadian Army and most of the other Commonwealth countries the hackle is worn by some infantry regiments, especially those designated fusilier regiments and those with Scottish and Northern Irish origins. It was commonly attached to the feather bonnet worn by Highland regiments (now usually only worn by drummers, pipers and bandsmen). The colour of the hackle varies from regiment to regiment.

In the British Army, there is a single regiment of fusiliers, plus a battalion of a large regiment:

* Royal Regiment of Fusiliers: Red over white
* Royal Highland Fusiliers (a battalion of the Royal Regiment of Scotland): White

Following the amalgamation of the regiments of the Scottish Division to form The Royal Regiment of Scotland on 28 March 2006, the following hackles are being worn by the regiment's constituent battalions:

* Royal Scots Borderers (1 SCOTS): Black
* Royal Highland Fusiliers (2 SCOTS): White
* Black Watch (3 SCOTS): Red
* The Highlanders (4 SCOTS): Blue
* Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (5 SCOTS): Green

There are also several fusilier regiments in the Canadian Army which wear the hackle:

* Princess Louise Fusiliers: French grey
* Royal Highland Fusiliers of Canada: White

Scottish-influenced non-fusilier regiments which wear the hackle include:

* Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders of Canada (drummers on feather bonnet only): White
* Black Watch of Canada: Red
* Calgary Highlanders (drummers on feather bonnet only): White [2]
* Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa: Royal blue
* Canadian Scottish Regiment (drummers on feather bonnet only): White
* Essex and Kent Scottish Regiment (feather bonnet only): White
* Lorne Scots: Primrose yellow
* Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders of Canada: Royal blue (except pipers in full dress, who wear an eagle feather instead).[3]
* Seaforth Highlanders of Canada (drummers on feather bonnet only): White

Irish-influenced non-fusilier regiments which wear the hackle (on the caubeen) include:

* 2nd Battalion, Irish Regiment of Canada: Green (light blue for senior NCOs and officers)

I hope this helps.

Cheers!

Paul

[O'Callaghan]

Todd, I seem to recall that one of those colors has a pretty strong association to one of the regiments (maybe the red to the Black Watch?) Please correct me if I'm wrong on that.

There are all kinds of associations between hackle colour and regiment, because they aren't limited to kilted highland regiments, or even regiments where only the pipers wear kilts (i.e. Irish regiments), but are also worn by entirely trousered not-remotely-celtic regiments.

You can even get Irish tricolour hackles, which I don't think any military unit of the Irish Defence Forces actually wears, so I assume they are worn by civilians (albeit possibly who are in a band).

[Phil]

You are likely to be thought of as having a military connection wearing one as they are not normally part of civilian dress. Why not just stick a few nice feathers from the fly-tying section of your local fishing shop in your bonnet? Just don't get ones too long or the heraldry police will be after you. Remember they've spent shedloads of cash to qualify for theirs and don't want some upstart horning in on the act for free!

[Stratherrick]

Phil

heraldry police

LOL!

Slainte

Bruce

[kiltedsawyer]

Phil

Quote:
heraldry police

LOL!

Slainte

Bruce

That would be the Lyon's Mounted Aboriginal Officers.

Or........ LMAO

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

You are likely to be thought of as having a military connection wearing one as they are not normally part of civilian dress. Why not just stick a few nice feathers from the fly-tying section of your local fishing shop in your bonnet? Just don't get ones too long or the heraldry police will be after you. Remember they've spent shedloads of cash to qualify for theirs and don't want some upstart horning in on the act for free!

Actually, Phil, for most of us the cost of our feathers has been the cost of our father's funeral.

[Jack Daw]

I wear a hackle only with my formal pseudo-military style kit, which is for piping gigs, only.

[macwilkin]

Actually, Phil, for most of us the cost of our feathers has been the cost of our father's funeral.

Well said, Rathdown.

T.

[Phil]

Actually, Phil, for most of us the cost of our feathers has been the cost of our father's funeral.

I am so sorry to hear that your father died in such distressed circumstances that his estate was not sufficient to cover his funeral expenses but was only trying to be a little light hearted. Please accept my apologies for any upset my comments may have caused and I appreciate the hurt they may have caused.

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

Phil, you are an ***.