Haig Check

[OC Richard]

I just saw an illustration of a piper 4th Battalion Kings Own Scottish Borderers 1944 and noticed that the kilt and bag-cover weren't a tartan per se but what I would call a Shepherd Check:



So I looked it up, and here is what I found on the Register Of Tartans

Haig Check: This tartan was designed by Sir Richard W Griffiths, Colonel of the 4th Battalion King's Own Scottish Borderers, in 1908 and used for the pipers' plaids. The tartan was later adopted by Earl Haig's family since he was also a Colonel of the battalion and hence known as the Haig Check. It was also known as the Gladstone Check and the Buccleuch Check – these connections are as yet unexplained.

Here it is (doesn't seem like it required all that much in the way of "designing")



Does anyone have clear images showing this being worn?

[figheadair]

Does anyone have clear images showing this being worn?

Richard, first picture here, and loads more interesting piping pictures too. Another group here.

The Haig Check was also worn by the Tyneside Scottish - post #82 and also here.

[Tarheel]

Isn't there a kerchief of the same material around his neck?

[MacEanruig]

The Haig check has a slight dazzle to it, depending on the distance and movement.

[tulloch]

That is amazing. I never would have guessed. And he is in WWII!

[figheadair]

That is amazing. I never would have guessed. And he is in WWII!

I think you're mixing up your Haigs, we're taking about Gen. Douglas, 1st Earl Haig.

[OC Richard]

It's like our nearby Fort MacArthur, not named after the General everyone thinks it is!

Yes that Haig Check isn't very easy on the eye, is it now?

Thanks Peter for those links!

I didn't know about the Tyneside Scottish wearing that. I have seen photos of Northumbrian soldiers playing Northumbrian pipes with shepherd check plaids but otherwise in ordinary uniform (no kilts).