Blackcock Feather Hackles

[Bruce Scott]

This is from the 2018, Edition of the RRS Dress Regulations, Part One, p64:

The Black Cock Feather
The black cock’s tail feathers originated from the feathers worn by chiefs and chieftains in
the old clans denoting rank. They were worn by most pipers, (Highland or Lowland,
which would he logical as pipers were highly respected in the clans), with the exception of
the 79th Regiment, who wore eagle feathers, from the end of the Crimean war. Black
cock feathers were adopted by the Royal Scots (1st) and King’s Own Scottish Borderers
(25th) in 1902 and 1903 respectively when they started to wear the Kilmarnock Bonnet
and both Regiments continued to wear the Black cock in ceremonial orders of dress.
Pipers in the Gordon’s and Argyll’s also wore it in ceremonial dress.

The earlier edition said at p58:

The Black Cock Feather
There is evidence of pipers of the 25th Regiment wearing Black cock feathers in Minorca in 1771.
The majority of Regimental pipers wore the Black cock feather with the exception of the 79th
Regiment, who wore an Eagle feather, from the end of the Crimean war. The Black cock feather
was worn by all ranks of The Royal Scots and The Kings Own Scottish Borderers in ceremonial
orders of dress. Pipers in the Gordon’s and Argyll’s also wore it in ceremonial dress.