Help needed - Royal Aberdeenshire Highlanders tartan

[MacSpadger]

Hi folks, any Scottish military history buffs out there?
I have been doing some research into family members that served in the Royal Aberdeenshire Highlanders, based at 73 King St, Aberdeen. This unit later became the 3rd Batt of the Gordon Highlanders. I had assumed that they would have worn the Gordon tartan, but life ain't as easy as all that.
Here is a pic of W.S. Gilbert (of Gilbert & Sullivan fame) when he was a captain in the Royal Aberdeenshire Highlanders, between 1875 and 1878. The kilt became part of the uniform in 1875 and Gilbert resigned in 1878, so that's hoo Ah ken.

The kilt looks like Black Watch/Government Tartan, but often Gordon tartan does look like that in old pics. The plaid, however, looks like it's too light to be either.
Here's a pic of some of the Royal Aberdeenshire Highlanders officers in 1858, before the kilt was introduced. They are wearing trews that look like Black Watch/Government Tartan.

Info on the Royal Aberdeenshire Highlanders seems to be scant, despite their famous captain and them having a quadrille named after them.

[madmacs]

Did you try contacting the Gordon Highlanders regimental museum?

http://www.gordonhighlanders.com/contact/

[MacSpadger]

Haha, no, I have been relying on them a lot recently for another project. They have been great, sending me copies of photos from the archives and scans of documents. Me and my family have contributed with volunteer work at the museum and putting a wee bit of money into the building fund and the Gordons Wood at Glendronach in the past, but I don't want to push their hospitality too far. Takin' the la'ne oot o' guid fowk, an' aw' that.....................
So, I thought I'd ask here first ;)
As it happens I will be heading up the M6 in about 48 hours, so will probably drop in, (if I can find the time) and have a nosy for ma'sel.

[madmacs]

Another option would be Aberdeen City Council, or Aberdeenshire Council (or whatever their equivalents are today) though they may end up sending you to the museum...

I'm pretty sure that Aberdeenshire had historians and archaeologists 10+ years ago, but with cut backs... ?

[MacSpadger]

It's most likely going to be the Gordon's Museum again, Aberdeen council sold the site of the old Royal Aberdeenshire Highlanders barracks yonks ago, it's the site of the First bus depot in King Street now. Weirdly enough, it's reputedly haunted by a Captain Beaton who hung himself there. Maybe I could ask him.....................

http://www.firstgroup.com/corporate/...hq_history.php

[madmacs]

Chris Croly Historian Tel 01224 621167 (during opening hours) Fax 01224 213066 Email: ccroly@aberdeencity.gov.uk Website: http://www.aberdeencity.gov.uk

[M. A. C. Newsome]

While the Royal Aberdeenshire Highlanders are not on this list, I thought I'd point out to others looking for military tartans that the STA has a handy list of what tartans were worn by whom here.

[figheadair]

While the Royal Aberdeenshire Highlanders are not on this list, I thought I'd point out to others looking for military tartans that the STA has a handy list of what tartans were worn by whom here.

Interesting. I agree with Matt about the list although there are some ommissions to it, not least the Regiment I commanded. I'm working on some additions to the list. I've never heard of the Royal Aberdeenshire Highlanders and wonder if they were originally a private force like the Men of Lonach. So far as the images are concerned, the tartan is definitely 42nd or Government. The OP might want to ask the question here http://scottishmilitary.blogspot.co.uk/

[MacSpadger]

Thanks to all for your help and advice.