Sadly the day has come

[NewKilt]

Certainly a sad day. I know I will wear my Black Watch tartan with extra pride in honor of that great regiment. Honor all those regiments, least we forget.

Darrell

[macwilkin]

Certainly a sad day. I know I will wear my Black Watch tartan with extra pride in honor of that great regiment. Honor all those regiments, least we forget.

Darrell

Ironically, the Government Sett (Black Watch) will be the tartan of the Royal Regiment of Scotland -- all Battalions will wear kilts in it, which has made the Lowland regiments mad, since they traditionally wear trews.

Cheers,

Todd

[Bob C]

First try was a crucified moose, now a crucified cat. Does that sum up Westminsters attitude toward the Scots?

I never saw the "Moose" design, but the Lion Rampant and the St. Andrew's Cross are both revered symbols of Scotland. I don't see the emblem as a sign of disrespect.

As for the amalgamation, people like hanging onto things for sentimental reasons well past the time of their usefulness. If I were a UK citizen, I'd be glad my government was balancing sentimentality against fiscal prudence.

I'm ducking now. Loose your arrows.

[macwilkin]

I never saw the "Moose" design, but the Lion Rampant and the St. Andrew's Cross are both revered symbols of Scotland. I don't see the emblem as a sign of disrespect.

As for the amalgamation, people like hanging onto things for sentimental reasons well past the time of their usefulness. If I were a UK citizen, I'd be glad my government was balancing sentimentality against fiscal prudence.

I'm ducking now. Loose your arrows.

Bob,

I would suggest you read Diana Henderson's "The Scottish Regiments" to understand the regimental system of the British Army and the Scottish regiments in particular. We're not talking about things that have passed their usefulness, we're talking about pride, history and tradition of regiments that have served around the globe for hundreds of years -- Esprit-de-corps and regimental history is at the core of these regiments. Badges, hackles and tartans all stand for the bravery of those who went before.

And it's not the Lion Rampant and the Saltire that's the problem with the "crucified cat"; it's the fact that regimental badges, which have so much history and symbolism behind them, were replaced by something artificial.

Using your own logic then, the Tomb of the Unknowns in Washington is a waste of money and should be scrapped for "fiscal prudence" -- think about that.

(Disclaimer: I am not saying I believe that personally, for from it -- just trying to prove a point.)

"fiscal prudence" usually ends up getting squaddies killed.

Todd

[Rusty]

I won't let loose with any arrows as you are entitled to your opinion as the next person. However, as a British Ex pat living in the states these past few years and having served in her Majestys armed forces I believe the British goverments amalgamation of the Scottish regiments is short sighted for many reasons. The least not being the millions of $/pounds that is brought into the country by tourism. Apart from the armed forces doing a wonderful job as defenders of the realm they also provide a ceremonial function which attracts tourist which in turn is good for business. So now people can come to good old Blighty to see the generic march past of the whatevers.... Im sorry I will go away now....

[bubba]

I never saw the "Moose" design

The crucified moose was a stags head over the St Andrews Cross. The jocks saw it and immediately labeled it the Crucified Moose. As for the amalgamation, the destruction of the Regiments in this way is going to have a terrible effect on the morale and effectivness of the troops by stripping away the pride, traditions and history of the units. They should have taken a lesson from the US Army Rangers when the Govt took away their black beret. Unfortunately, politicians and bean counters have no concept of honor and tradition.

[Mattg]

The crucified moose was a stags head over the St Andrews Cross. The jocks saw it and immediately labeled it the Crucified Moose. As for the amalgamation, the destruction of the Regiments in this way is going to have a terrible effect on the morale and effectivness of the troops by stripping away the pride, traditions and history of the units. They should have taken a lesson from the US Army Rangers when the Govt took away their black beret. Unfortunately, politicians and bean counters have no concept of honor and tradition.

Tis true. If I was there I wouldn't join now, not if my father and grandfather's regiment had been taken away.

[macwilkin]

Tis true. If I was there I wouldn't join now, not if my father and grandfather's regiment had been taken away.

...And that's exactly what's happening. Family traditions are being destroyed, as the next generation cannot join the regiment that their grandfathers, fathers, uncles, etc. served in before.

T.

[Moosehead]

...And that's exactly what's happening. Family traditions are being destroyed, as the next generation cannot join the regiment that their grandfathers, fathers, uncles, etc. served in before.

Regiments, no. But they can still join the batallion which retains the old names, hackles, marches, traditions etc.

[macwilkin]

Regiments, no. But they can still join the batallion which retains the old names, hackles, marches, traditions etc.

Not according to the MoD -- There has been some debate as to how long the old regimental names for the battalions, hackles, etc. will last. Not to mention the loss of tartans, etc. A lot of things are still up in the air, even the regimental museums, the guardians of the history, are under threat of the MoD's slashing.

T.