18th century scottish regiments

[figheadair]

I've often heard it said that the red line was for the Grenadier Company of the 42nd, but is there any evidence to support that?

It is true that Grenadier Companies had upgraded status and kit, such as shells on their jackets, extra yards in their kilts, and pipers.

The 1775 warrant to raise Fraser's Highlanders included permission for 2 pipers per Grenadier Company. This was then applied to all Highland regiments raised for the Napoleonic Wars. (The other companies were only authorised one drummer, though a piper was often carried on the roster as a drummer.) (It wasn't until 1854 that each regiment was authorised to maintain a pipe band.)

Just speculation, but I can imagine the Black Watch, after seeing so many other regiments adopt their tartan, wanting to make theirs unique by adding a red stripe to commemorate their unique red hackle.

As far as I know, there is no reliable evidence that the 42nd Grenadiers wore a red line in their tartan.

Wilsons' records suggest that the Coarse Kilt with Red sett (source of the red line myth?) was worn by all ranks for fatigue dress (feileadh beag) from around 1780.