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.