Tartans of Canada's Highland Regiments

[Mike_Oettle]

Terry wrote: “I wish the US Army had a kilted regiment . . .”

It certainly did have in the old days. Were they simply forced to put on khaki (or jungle green) trousers, or were they amalgamated?
I recall seeing at least one picture somewhere on XMarks showing a kilted 19th-century New York battalion.
But I recall that in the 1940s units with state names (New York, Massachusetts et cetera, and even New England [not a state, of course]) were re-numbered and lost their identity.
Can you throw any light on that, Terry or Todd?

On another tack (more relevant to Canada) I notice that the Scottish Register of Tartans lists a sett for the 5th Royal Scots of Canada, with the following note:

“Adopted as the regimental tartan on assuming a Scottish identity for the whole regiment in 1880. By 1883 the unit had become kilted but had enormous difficulty in getting a standard shade for the different shipments of tartan. The Regiment thus presented a very patchy appearance on parade and the decision was taken to go over to the Government 42nd pattern. Adoption of the Lorne tartan had been out of deference to the then Marquis who was Governor-General of Canada. In due course the regiment became ‘The Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment) of Canada’.”

Would any photographs of the regiment in its original tartan have survived?
Obviously they would be in black and white, but they would also be of enormous historical interest.
Regards,
Mike

[BoldHighlander]

Terry wrote: “I wish the US Army had a kilted regiment . . .”

It certainly did have in the old days. Were they simply forced to put on khaki (or jungle green) trousers, or were they amalgamated?
I recall seeing at least one picture somewhere on XMarks showing a kilted 19th-century New York battalion.
But I recall that in the 1940s units with state names (New York, Massachusetts et cetera, and even New England [not a state, of course]) were re-numbered and lost their identity.
Can you throw any light on that, Terry or Todd?

Hi Mike,

Sorry for coming into this late. I've had a lot on my plate the last couple weeks: including very nearly losing my nephew last week (he's 100% better now), to trying to get my ducks in a row to try & return to school to retrain for a new career path (Radiology Tech). Needless to say my attention is elsewhere & I won't be on XMarks much until all is on a straight course.

Not sure I can throw as much light on your query/thoughts as Todd could

The 19th century NY battalion would be the Civil War era 79th NY. Kilts, though, have not been worn (officially) since then. Too bad.

I hope to be back here on a regular basis again soon.
Cheers!

[macwilkin]

There was a proposal in the early 2000s by members of the Caledonian Society of New York to the governor to reactivate the old 79th NY, and to adopt a modernized version of the old 79th's uniform, complete with Cameron of Erracht kilt, but I don't think it went anywhere. I think there is a depiction of the uniform on the Caledonian Society's web site.

There was a pipe band affiliated with the US Sixth Army at one time:

http://www.stewarttartan.com/v3YORE....Army_Pipe_Band
http://www.nps.gov/prsf/historycultu...-the-1950s.htm

The uniforms & kit of this band were later turned over to a pipe band with the 91st Infantry Division, California National Guard. In addition, the 7th Cavalry maintained a pipe band in the 1950s and '60s.

Cheers,

Todd

Hi Mike,

Sorry for coming into this late. I've had a lot on my plate the last couple weeks: including very nearly losing my nephew last week (he's 100% better now), to trying to get my ducks in a row to try & return to school to retrain for a new career path (Radiology Tech). Needless to say my attention is elsewhere & I won't be on XMarks much until all is on a straight course.

Not sure I can throw as much light on your query/thoughts as Todd could

The 19th century NY battalion would be the Civil War era 79th NY. Kilts, though, have not been worn (officially) since then. Too bad.

I hope to be back here on a regular basis again soon.
Cheers!