The rosettes have long been used as an alternative to a kilt pin by the RHR's NCO's and officers, similar to the kilt panel.
T.
Thank you for that link. It confirmed an answer to a question I had from another thread: the photo you sometimes see of two soldiers wearing sporrans, bonnets, their rifles, spats and smiles, nothing else, are from this regiment just prior to WW2.
What is the significance of the two rosettes and ribbons on the right side of the apron?
Brian
These rosettes are specific to The Black Watch, this one dates back to the 19th century. In those days Regimental Colonels had to purchase uniforms for their soldiers out of their own pockets and much money was spent trying to make thier troops look as grand as possible.
In an attempt to save money at one point one Colonel decided thate the overlap in the apron of a kilt was unnecessary and just a waste of material. Fine in principle but embarrassing in public having just purchased a new Regiments worth of kilts the Colonel was somewhat concerned that he was going to have to purchase a further regiments worth of kilts to solve the problem until a young officer in the unit suggested tying the front to the back with some green ribbon hence the rosettes were born. This is the reason the rosettes are somewhat less "grand" than those worn by the Argylls.
Originally Posted by BEEDEE
having just purchased a new Regiments worth of kilts the Colonel was somewhat concerned that he was going to have to purchase a further regiments worth of kilts to solve the problem until a young officer in the unit suggested tying the front to the back with some green ribbon hence the rosettes were born. This is the reason the rosettes are somewhat less "grand" than those worn by the Argylls.
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