Red hackle history

[beloitpiper]

My pipe band wears red hackles (feathers) in our glengarries. A guy in the band said that red hackles come from the tradition of soldiers dipping their white hackles in their fallen comrade's blood in honor of them. Is this true, or more "Highland myth". The guys in the pipe band also thought kilts were worn by Wallace, so I take everything they say with a grain of salt.

[Woodsheal]

There's a little blurb at the bottom of this page:
http://www.theblackwatch.co.uk/index/1745-1800

Apparently the red hackle is supposed to be exclusive to the Black Watch regiment (now battalion)....

[george7]

Our band wears orange, white and green hackles with green t-shirts and 'flower of Scotland' tartan kilts. Please don't tell the kilt police that we're down here in Florida.

Back to your point, that sounds like a myth. It might represent blood, but I doubt even the most proud Scotsman would want to walk around smelling like his dead comrade.

[Sionnach]

.

Back to your point, that sounds like a myth. It might represent blood, but I doubt even the most proud Scotsman would want to walk around smelling like his dead comrade.

Not to mention what that would do to the feathers! Can't imagine it.

[macwilkin]

Whilst not involving the RHR, an similar story is told from the Revolutionary War battle of Paoli in 1777:

Following the battle the Americans vowed to take vengeance on the British Light Infantry. The light companies of the 49th and 46th Foot are said to have dyed their hat feathers red as a gesture of defiance and so that the Americans could identify them. The Royal Berkshire Regiment, of which the 49th became the 1st Battalion, continued the tradition of wearing a piece of red cloth behind their cap badges.

-- http://www.britishbattles.com/battle-paoli.htm

Regards,

Todd

[McClef]

Apparently the red hackle is supposed to be exclusive to the Black Watch regiment (now battalion)....

So exclusive that their online shop sells them for 99p + postage....

[macwilkin]

So exclusive that their online shop sells them for 99p + postage....

Please, let's not go there again Trefor.

Regardless of whether the kit shop sells them, it's still an important regimental symbol.

Regards,

Todd

[Woodsheal]

So exclusive that their online shop sells them for 99p + postage....

True, but I don't think I'd put one on my hat and go strolling near their barracks...!

[Nervous Jock]

Apparently the red hackle is supposed to be exclusive to the Black Watch regiment (now battalion)....

You need to check out your understandings of Regiments & Battalions

More importantly it lead to the Black Watch being the only unit not to wear a capbadge, in certain dress, as everyone would be able to recognise them by their hackle.

[PiobBear]

On 4 June 1795 a red feather was issued to every man in the 42nd Regiment, and has been worn on the bonnets of the Black Watch ever since as a battle honor commemorating their bravery on 4 January 1795, where during a rear guard action before Guildermalson, Holland, French cavalry routed the British picket line, capturing two field pieces. The 42nd Regiment immediately charged and retook the guns, dragging the cannon back to British lines by hand under heavy fire.

Following their strategic victory at Vimy Ridge on 9 April 1917 where the Canadian Expeditionary Force had captured more ground, more prisoners and more guns than any previous British offensive in two-and-a-half years of war, one of the most complete and decisive engagements of the First World War and the greatest Allied victory up to that time, Major-General Sir Arthur Currie, Commander of the Canadian 1st Division, told the Canadian 13th Battalion, Royal Highlanders of Canada that "not a battalion of The Black Watch could deserve better to wear the Red Hackle than this battalion." The red hackle has been worn by the Canadian Royal Highland Regiment ever since to commemorate that victory.