Royal Regiment of Scotland Dress Regs

[BEEDEE]

Mess dress looks sharp. Rest are somewhat 'ho hum'. What is the significance of the two rosettes and ribbons on the right side of the apron?

Brian

[macwilkin]

Mess dress looks sharp. Rest are somewhat 'ho hum'. What is the significance of the two rosettes and ribbons on the right side of the apron?

Brian

http://www.calgaryhighlanders.com/kiltpanel.htm

The rosettes have long been used as an alternative to a kilt pin by the RHR's NCO's and officers, similar to the kilt panel.

T.

[Archangel]

http://www.calgaryhighlanders.com/kiltpanel.htm

The rosettes have long been used as an alternative to a kilt pin by the RHR's NCO's and officers, similar to the kilt panel.

T.

Thank you for that link. It confirmed an answer to a question I had from another thread: the photo you sometimes see of two soldiers wearing sporrans, bonnets, their rifles, spats and smiles, nothing else, are from this regiment just prior to WW2.

[Nervous Jock]

What is the significance of the two rosettes and ribbons on the right side of the apron?

Brian

These rosettes are specific to The Black Watch, this one dates back to the 19th century. In those days Regimental Colonels had to purchase uniforms for their soldiers out of their own pockets and much money was spent trying to make thier troops look as grand as possible.

In an attempt to save money at one point one Colonel decided thate the overlap in the apron of a kilt was unnecessary and just a waste of material. Fine in principle but embarrassing in public having just purchased a new Regiments worth of kilts the Colonel was somewhat concerned that he was going to have to purchase a further regiments worth of kilts to solve the problem until a young officer in the unit suggested tying the front to the back with some green ribbon hence the rosettes were born. This is the reason the rosettes are somewhat less "grand" than those worn by the Argylls.

[Raptor]

Something seems lacking somehow. I couldn't say what it is exactly, but the overall look seems to be missing the flair of the old regiments. Maybe they've tried to "modernise" the dress or something. *shrug* Have to agree with the "ho hum".

[Nervous Jock]

Something seems lacking somehow. I couldn't say what it is exactly, but the overall look seems to be missing the flair of the old regiments. Maybe they've tried to "modernise" the dress or something. *shrug* Have to agree with the "ho hum".

There isn't anything new brought to the party here its all stuff that was previously worn by the old regiments and selected as i like to say randomly out a kids action man toy box

There are other shots on the Army site, perhaps some of the other Dress has the flair you are looking for??

Perhaps the standardisation has done this too. The variation in kit was always something to be proud of as it normally had a reason to be worn.

also remember this is now the rig for all the Scottish battalions not just the "Highland" ones.

[Archangel]

I was thinking of Hamish's photo advice on a long lost thread. At least I think it was Hamish.
Kilt photos should be taken from about waist height to get the true picture. Otherwise, the kilt looks too long and the subject looks all chesty.
These photos look like they were taken from the top of a step-ladder.

Wonder how Osprey books will portray them.

So, Nervous Jock, you're quite excited to be issued them. Are there any pictures out there besides these?

[Nervous Jock]

So, Nervous Jock, you're quite excited to be issued them. Are there any pictures out there besides these?

I choose the word "might" specifically in my opening post

Quite a lot of this kit is private purchase for officers so there are Grandfather rights on some items. Mess kit for example, is all bought at the owners expense. The Army has therefore granted a 5 year stay of execution on this for serving Officers. A new officer joining RRS now will buy the new kit, a serving officer will be permitted to wear his old kit for another 5 years when he will then have to own the new form of dress. If I'm still serving in 5 years time I won't be spending the money needed on this but purchase myself a really good MTM Prince Charlie and kilt in my family tartan which I can then wear to both military or non military functions.

With regards to the "Parade" uniforms they are all held centrally and issued on a one off basis as required so no soldier currently owns his own Highland rig. So I could request one for the odd occasion I need one but would be unlikely to get it due to the quantities held.

Unfortunately it appears that both Officers and soldiers jackets will be cut to a the same pattern and use the same cloth which I find a great shame but understandable due to the cost.

As a slight aside there is also talk of the new No 2 dress for non Scottish infantry regiments being similar to that worn by the Amercan Army where the Trousers are a different colour to the Jacket. At the moment unless the jackets and trousers are cut from the same run off cloth you can't mix and match them producing obvious difficulties when it comes to tailoring uniform.

[andyfg]

Thanks for the pics.

A thought about jacket length. It is often said that kilt jackets need to be shorter than regular jackets. With some of the "home made jobs" posted on the forum, it seems that they are made too short. The number 2 jacket (if that is what it is) is actually quite long. The mess dress short. Does this suggest that everyday kilt wearing jackets might be worn longer? My Argyle is only 3 inches shorter than my regular sports jackets.

[Nervous Jock]

Thanks for the pics.

A thought about jacket length. It is often said that kilt jackets need to be shorter than regular jackets. With some of the "home made jobs" posted on the forum, it seems that they are made too short. The number 2 jacket (if that is what it is) is actually quite long. The mess dress short. Does this suggest that everyday kilt wearing jackets might be worn longer? My Argyle is only 3 inches shorter than my regular sports jackets.

You are welcome. You will find that the MOD issue kilts are longer than those you would normally get if you purchased privately, certainly mine nearly comes to the top of the buttons on my mess kit waist coat where as you might only expect a standard kilt to come to the bottom of the waistcoat (allowing for a little overlap).

this might explain why the jacket looks a little long.


I don't think this "model" does the uniform justice in these shots anyway!!